How to Stoke a Wood Stove Fire

 

Knowing how to properly stoke a wood stove fire is an important part of owning a stove. Proper stoking will help to keep the wood burning properly in order to keep your home heated. 

Items you will need:

Firewood (properly dried and split)

Fire Poker

When you are stoking a fire you, it is after the fire you already started is getting low. (To start a wood stove fire read: http://woodstoveoutlet.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-to-start-fire-in-wood-stove_25.html)

1. Poke your red hot coals with your fire poker and form them into an even bed of coals. Lay two pieces of firewood parallel to one another on top of the bed of coals. Close the vent on the front of the wood stove door to where it is closed halfway. Wait for about one hour then check wood.

2. If the two pieces of wood that you put in before are now coals you will want to add two more pieces. If they are still formed logs, close the woodstove door and wait for about 30 minutes before checking again. Once the wood is coals repeat Step 1 again. 

It is advisable to check your woodstove at least once an hour.

Wood Stove Chimney Connection

When you are installing a wood stove in your home you will want to be sure to choose the correct size wood stove and know wood stove safety installation.

When connection your woodstove to your chimney you will need to know that there are four main methods to do this:

• Direct connection to a masonry chimney.
• Passage through a flammable partition into a masonry chimney.
• Entry into a fireplace and chimney.
• Outlet through a wall or ceiling through a factory built metal chimney.

Direction Connection to a Masonry Chimney:
When connection directly into a masonry chimney you will want to be sure that the stovepipe that is inserted penetrates to the inside edge of the masonry liner, however, it should go NO further than that. It will then need to be sealed with masonry cement. If you use a masonry thimble that is set into the chimney to accept a slip in section of pipe then the masonry cement will not be needed. Keep in mind that if you cannot easily gain access to this connector for cleaning, you will need to use a masonry thimble so you will be able to remove the pipe for periodic cleanings.  

Passage Through a Flammable Partition into a Masonry Chimney:

The second connection method, passage through a flammable partition into a masonry chimney, covers any connector which passes within 18 inches of a flammable partition. NFPA regulation #211 specifies that in these cases the wood stove installation should include either a vented metal thimble which has a diameter 12 inches larger than the stovepipe or that a masonry thimble be ringed by at least 8 inches of fireproof brickwork. According to Mother Earth News the only other prudent option would be to leave a minimum of 18 inches of space around the outside of the stovepipe and then close your hole with a flame-resistant barrier.

Entry into a Fireplace and Chimney:

If connecting your wood stove to the flue above the fireplace then you must plug your chimney below the point of connection. If you are exhausting through the fireplace then the entry to the fireplace must be sealed. Doing this helps to prevent burning embers from falling down into your fireplace and possibly onto the floor (which is a big fire hazard) but it also helps to maintain the proper draft for your wood stove. It is best if chimney entrances for wood stoves are above the fireplace, however some considerations will require that the connection be made through the sealing partition and into the actual fireplace. In any chimney, but especially a fireplace with a cooler external chimney you should extend the stovepipe so that it turns up and into the chimney to help prevent heavy creosoting.  (Read more about Creosote and Flue Fires).

Outlet Through a Wall or Chimney with a Factory Built Metal Chimney:


Passage of stovepipe through any floor, ceiling, or fire wall is prohibited by NFPA regulations. However, you may pass the stovepipe through a wall, floor, or ceiling if you use a factory-built insulated chimney. If you do not have a suitable masonry chimney then this type of piping is the only option you have.

If you have any concerns about installing and connecting your wood stove speak with your local building inspector to get advice, knowledge about local building codes and possible a recommendation on someone who can do the job for you safely and effectively.

Insulated Thimble

Check back for future Woodstove Safety information including:
Woodstove Safety: Choosing and Installing


How to Prevent a Flue Fire

How to store kerosene and how long it can be stored

If you have a kerosene heater for use when the electricity goes out, you may want to have kerosene on hand for that time. In order to do so you must be able to safely store kerosene for later use.

 So how can kerosene be stored?
Kerosene should be stored in new, clean, sealed containers that are clearly marked for kerosene. If you store your kerosene in used drums, milk containers & other used plastic jugs, and/or gasoline cans then your kerosene can become contaminated, which will result in harm to the kerosene wickor even a fire (we recommend this company to help you select your kerosene wick) .

How long can kerosene be stored?
Three months is the longest that we've seen kerosene being recommended for being stored. When kerosene is allowed to stand for longer amounts of time the kerosene will break down and absorb water. Sludge will also develop in the fuel due to bacteria and molds that live in kerosene that feed off of fossil fuels. When fuel with sludge build up in it is used, it will clog the heater and harden the wick.

By keeping your kerosene in good shape your kerosene heater will run more efficiently and last longer.

Why your Fireplace Needs a Fireback

Not only do fireplace firebacks add a touch of history, romance, and practicality to your fireplace, they are also both functional and decorative.

What can a fireback do for your fireplace?

• They retain and radiate heat from your fireplace back into your room. Which will keep your home warmer and help save more on your heating bill.
• The prevent and conceal damage to the firebrick in the rear of your fireplace. Fireplaces, despite how far materials in home building have come since the earlier years of fireplaces, are still vulnerable to damage from the intense heat that a fire gives off, the fireback will help to prevent expensive damage to your fireplace's masonry.
• Firebacks can be used with both wood fires or gas logs.

Interested in owning a fireback for your fireplace? How do you know what size you need?

In choosing a size for your fireback you will need to be sure that it is large enough to protect the area directly behind the fire. But it does not need to be so large that it extends into the flue. A fireback that extends into the flue can cause problems with the draft and also interfere with the damper in your fireplace.

At woodstove-outlet.com we have a beautiful selection of firebacks for fireplaces.

How to Prevent a Flue Fire

Tis the season to snuggle up next to a warm fire. But that romantic notion can easily be shattered and lost if a flue fire starts. How can you prevent a flue fire from happening? Well the first step is to know what causes a flue fire.

Flue fires are typically created by creosote build-up. Creosote is a very thick, sticky liquid that will stick to nearly anything. The burning of wood causes the creation of creosote naturally. Creosote is naturally very flammable and its appearance can vary from being be sooty or ash like, sticky, tacky, and runny tar glaze, dry honeycombs or curly flakes. It can also be a dense, hard, and shiny black tar glaze.You should be sure to clean your chimney and flue every year to remove creosote build up from the previous winter's fires, you will need a chimney brush to help in cleaning. If you do not feel comfortable cleaning it yourself, you can hire a local chimney sweep.

There are also things that you can do when it is the season to be using your wood stove or fireplace that can also help in preventing a flue fire.

When first building a fire, make a small, very hot fire, this will create a good updraft so that there is less buildup on the flue. (For more info read: How to Start a Fire in a Woodstove)

Always, burn wood that is well seasoned and/or dry. (For more info read: How to Season Firewood)

Avoid burning large amounts of paper and cardboard, using them to start a fire is fine, but do not burn more than you need. Wood stoves and fireplaces are not meant to be trash burners. Certain types of material will cause a much larger amount of build up in your flue than others.

Another little tip is to toss a handful of salt thrown on the flames occasionally, it will help loosen the soot. You should do this once or twice a month.

Try not to use extremely pitchy wood for anything other than starting the fire, as this wood will create more build up. Sometimes it cannot be helped, but be aware that by using this type of wood that you will have more creosote build up.

If you do have a flue fire, do not panic, call the fire department, and do not pour water into the firebox (this can have explosive results). You can pour salt or use a foam style fire extinguisher. But first and foremost get yourself and your family to safety. Things can eventually be replaced. Lives cannot.

How to Properly Dispose of Ashes from Wood Stoves & Fireplaces

While browsing the internet, I came across a news article dated 11-23 which was titled, "Forest Service urges proper disposal of woodstove and fireplace ashes"

Apparently there have been some forest fires due to some people disposing of wood stove ashes improperly. And there have been home fires that have started because of improperly stored fire ash.


Hot coals can hide amongst the ashes and stay hot for up to 4 days (sometimes longer). These coals were once used to reignite fires when people did not have an easy way to light a fire. But now these coals are a danger to our forests, fields, homes, and more if they are tossed out while still hot.


So what should you do with those ashes from your fireplace or wood stove?

Ash Containers are a great way to store hot coals and ashes from a fireplace or wood stove.  It is recommended to add a little water after putting ash in to be sure that any hot coals are extinguished. The ash should be stored away from anything flammable in case any cinders happen to escape. Be sure the lid on your ash container is tightly on.

Once you are sure that your ash is no longer hot, and that there aren't any coals still burning, there are a few things that you can do with your ashes.

• Use your ash around plants that thrive in alkaline soil. 
• Mix with water to make a paste to clean wood blemishes and water rings on wood.
• They can be sprinkled around the perimeter of your garden to repel slugs and snails.
• You can add them to your compost pile.

If you are safe with your wood stove and/or fireplace ash, then you can help prevent accidents from happening.

Stay safe and warm this winter!

How do Fireplace Bellows Work?

Fireplace bellows are very beautiful tools. They have been around since 930 B.C. Their design has stayed fairly well the same over the years with a few improvements made, particularly in the 1600s.

A fireplace bellow works as a single air pump tool. They are triangular shaped and consist of an air chamber and a valve. Grasping the handles and pulling them apart fills the chamber with air, while press the handles back towards each other directs the air out of the valve or nozzle.

This air flow can be used to get a fire going, as fires need a little air (oxygen) to get started well. Using a fireplace bellow is much safer than manually blowing on the fire as you have to get too close to the flames to make much of an effect on them.