Do you have a wood-burning stove and would like to learn how to put your logs on properly to start a fire? You've come to the right place! In this article we will show you how to do it, so that you can enjoy the warmth and comfort of your stove all year round.
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Pay attention to the height of your wood pile
The height of the wood pile is important to ensure complete combustion and optimum efficiency of the wood stove. In order to achieve this, it is essential that the minimum height recommended by the wood stove manufacturer is observed. In general, the recommended minimum height is about 30 cm.
If the height of the pile is too low, there is a risk that the fire will not burn well or that the flames will not be intense enough. In addition, a wood pile that is too low can block the passage of the air needed for combustion.
Width is also important
If you have a wood-burning stove, you know that it is important to build an even wood pile for your stove to work properly. You need to make the pile wide enough for the stove to take the wood and narrow enough for the stove to burn it properly. If you don't pay attention to the width of the stack, you may not get the desired result.
Also, don't forget to consider the type of wood you are going to put in the stack. If you are using logs, you will need a larger stack than if you are using small wood.
An often forgotten detail: sufficient depth
It is important to ensure that the wood pile you build in your wood stove is the right depth. This will ensure complete combustion of the wood and better heat production. The ideal depth for a wood pile is about 60 cm. You may need to adjust this depth depending on the size of your wood stove.
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Leave space between the logs
The shape of the wood pile is important for the air to circulate and for the wood to burn properly. When placing your logs in the stove, make sure that they are not piled up and that there is enough space for the air to circulate easily. A checkerboard pattern is ideal for lighting your wood stove and allow optimal air circulation.
Note that for best results, it is recommended that you add the wood a little at a time. Do not put too much wood in your stove at once, as this may smother the fire. Once the fire is well established, add a larger log to keep it alive. Make sure you check the fire regularly and feed it with wood to keep it burning properly.
A well-arranged wood pile:
- will burn more efficiently and produce less smoke;
- will allow a more complete combustion and provide less ash.
The quality of the wood is essential
The quality of the wood should not be neglected if you want to build a strong fire in your wood stove. Ideally, the wood should be dry. If it is too damp, it will have difficulty catching fire and will produce a lot of smoke. In addition, wet wood can damage your wood stove by reducing its performance and increasing the risk of corrosion. It is therefore important to choose wood that has been properly dried. You can buy dry wood from a hardware store or dry it yourself.
For drying the woodWhen the wood is dry, store it in a dry, ventilated place for about six months. Once the wood is dry, you should cut it into small pieces. The wood should be chopped into small sections of 10 to 15 centimetres to facilitate burning.