Expert chimney sweeping advice

How to Operate a Wood Burning Stove

  • Wood burns at its best on a bed of ash approx. 25mm deep. In a wood only stove leave the residual ash at this depth in the bottom of the fire box. In a multifuel stove let the ash build up until the grate is covered.
  • Wood needs an ample air supply from above. When lighting the fire, open both the top and bottom air vents. This will help the fire to start. 
  • To get your fire going efficiently, start by placing your logs at the bottom of the firebox. Add plenty of small kindling or suitable firelighters on top of the logs, and position the firelighters within the kindling. This top-down method helps the fire establish quickly and cleanly. Always use wood with a moisture content of 20% or less—look for the ‘Ready to Burn’ logo when purchasing fuel to ensure it meets this standard.
  • Light the firelighters and close the door.
  • Allow a reasonable time to burn, approximately 10 to 15 minutes (basically, flames should fill the box without being sucked up the chimney). It will take at least this long to bring the stove to a suitable operating temperature.
  • Now refuel with larger logs and allow a few minutes to establish. Full-size logs should be added only when the smaller logs are burning.
  • When the stove is up to a good operating temperature, close down the bottom air vent (primary control) and then use the top air vent (secondary control) to control the stove. This will also help keep the glass clean (Air Wash).
  • The temperature will continue to rise once the primary air control has been closed. A flue pipe thermometer will help you know when you have reached the best temperature. If you are using a thermometer, aim for the middle of the best operation range or check the manufacturer’s instructions. 
  • Once you reach the optimum temperature, you can reduce the amount of air using the secondary control. Reducing this air will slow the burn rate, but it is vital not to close it off too much. The box should always contain a reasonable amount of flame, and the stove glass should be clear.
  • Once the stove has been running at optimum temperature for around 15 minutes, you can check if you have set the controls correctly by looking at the top of your chimney. If you see smoke, there is not enough air in the stove. Open the secondary control up a little, allow the fire to build for a few minutes and have another look. Once there is no smoke, you’ve got it right. Please contact us for further advice if you cannot achieve a satisfactory fire.