How to make sure your wood-burning stove lasts
It all begins with an idea.
One of the easiest ways to cut your heating bill, reduce your carbon footprint, and give your home a cosy feel is by installing a wood-burning stove in your fireplace or adding one to your existing fireplace. These appliances can be expensive, however, so it’s important to make sure you properly maintain them to ensure you get the most out of them for years to come. Here are some tips on how to make sure your wood-burning stove lasts.
Things to keep in mind while using your wood stove
1. It's important to clean your wood stove regularly. This will help prevent soot and creosote build-up, which can be a fire hazard.
2. When you do clean your wood stove, be sure to do it correctly. There are special brushes and cleaners made for this purpose.
3. In addition to regular cleaning, you should also inspect your wood stove for damage and repair any cracks or other problems you find.
Parts of the wood-burning stove
1. The first part of the wood burning stove that needs to be cleaned is the firebox. This is where the fire burns, so it's important to keep it clean.
2. The next part of the wood burning stove that needs to be cleaned is the flue. This is the part of the stove that goes up the chimney and gets rid of the smoke.
3. The third part of the wood burning stove that needs to be cleaned is the grate. The grate is what you place your logs on when you light your stove. By cleaning it out after every time you use it, you will keep your stove burning properly.
Why is my stove smoking?
If your wood-burning stove is smoking, it's probably because the flue isn't drawing properly. Check to see if the flue is obstructed and clear it if necessary. If that doesn't solve the problem, you may need to have the chimney cleaned. Creosote buildup can cause smoking and is a fire hazard. To clean a wood-burning stove correctly, follow these steps:
1. Remove all ashes from the firebox.
2. Wipe down the inside of the firebox with a damp cloth or brush to remove any leftover ashes.
3. Brush off or vacuum out any dust or debris from cracks and crevices in the log burner surface and along the top edge of the stove surround.
4. Clean the glass on both sides using warm water and a sponge or paper towel. You should also clean around the door gasket at this time.
5. Clean or replace dirty air filters according to manufacturer instructions. Filters should be changed at least once per season or more often if they're heavily soiled.
Test your wood-burning fireplace for safety
Cleaning a wood burning stove correctly is important for both safety and efficiency. How often you need to clean your stove depends on how much you use it, but at least once a year is a good rule of thumb. Here are three ways to make sure your wood burning stove is in good condition:
Check the damper. The damper should open and close easily so that you can control the amount of air flow into the fire.
Clean your log burner with every use. Keeping your stove clean will help keep the fire strong and efficient. Clean out ash after each session, clean glass doors (or other type of protective cover) with soap and water, wipe down any metal surfaces with soap and water or cleaner recommended by manufacturer. You may also want to periodically vacuum or brush away loose ashes from hard to reach areas inside the unit as well as from under the grate where hot embers accumulate after many fires have been burned over time.
How can I check if my flue damper is open or closed?
The flue damper is an important part of the wood-burning process because it regulates the flow of air into the stove. If the damper is open, more air will flow into the stove, which will cause the fire to burn hotter. If the damper is closed, less air will flow into the stove, which will cause the fire to burn cooler. To check if your flue damper is open or closed, you should look at the handle on the outside of the stove.
What if my stove doesn't turn on?
If your stove isn't igniting, the first thing you should check is the fire. Many times, a dirty or low fire is the reason a stove won't turn on. To keep your stove fire clean, make sure to clean out the ashes regularly. You should also maintain a good bed of coals to help ensure a hot and consistent fire. If you have trouble keeping your stove fire going, there are a few things you can do to help: To keep your stove fire clean, make sure to clean out the ashes regularly. You should also maintain a good bed of coals to help ensure a hot and consistent fire. For those who don't want to deal with ash cleanup, it's best not to use pine logs as they produce more ash than other types of wood.
Why does smoke come from the top of my wood-burner?
If you notice that smoke is coming from the top of your wood-burning stove, it's likely because the fire isn't hot enough. The first thing you should do is check the flue damper to make sure it's open. If it's not, open it and wait a few minutes to see if the smoke clears. If the smoke doesn't clear, you may need to build up the fire by adding more wood.
We hope you find this guide helpful for maintaining your wood-burning stove. If you require further information on chimney cleaning and repairs feel free to contact us: