Before You Light Anything

  1. Check the stove area
    • Nothing flammable on or near the stove (no paper, plastic, curtains, toys, etc.).
    • Ash level is reasonable (not overflowing).
  2. Open everything
    • Air control(s) fully open.
    • Damper and flue fully open.
    • Stove door closed but unlatched for now.
  3. Make sure the wood is ready
    • Split, seasoned hardwood (not wet, not green).
    • Some small splits and plenty of dry kindling.

Step 1 – Warm the Flue (Helps Prevent Smoke Spillage)

  1. Crack the stove door slightly.
  2. Roll up a piece of newspaper, light it, and hold it near the flue opening inside the stove for 30–60 seconds.
    • This starts a gentle upward draft.
  3. Once you feel the draft pulling air up, you’re ready to build the fire.

Step 2 – Build a “Top-Down” Fire

Inside the firebox:

  1. Bottom layer – big pieces
    • Lay 2–3 larger splits of wood on the bottom, parallel or in a criss-cross.
  2. Middle layer – medium splits
    • Place 2–3 medium splits across the big ones, leaving some gaps for airflow.
  3. Top layer – kindling
    • Add a pile of small kindling sticks on top (pencil-thick or thinner).
  4. Fire starters
    • Tuck 1–2 fire starter blocks or twisted pieces of newspaper into the kindling layer (not under the big logs).

This “top-down” setup lets the fire burn from the top downward, creating less smoke and more even heat.

Step 3 – Light the Fire

  1. Light the fire starters or top kindling in 2–3 places.
  2. Close the stove door most of the way, leaving it open a crack (if your stove’s manual allows this) to give extra air for the first few minutes.
  3. Keep the air controls fully open.

Watch for:

  • Kindling quickly catching and flames spreading across the top.
  • Smoke going up the chimney, not into the room.

Step 4 – Let the Stove Heat Up

  1. Allow the fire to burn with full air until:
    • The kindling is well lit,
    • The medium and larger splits are catching fire,
    • Your stove thermometer is moving into the normal operating range (often around 400–650°F on the stove top or according to your manual).
  2. Once it’s burning strongly:
    • Close the stove door fully and latch it.

Step 5 – Adjust the Air for a Clean Burn

  1. After the fire is established (bright flames, good heat), slowly reduce the air:
    • Turn the air control down in small steps every few minutes.
    • Watch the flames — you want steady, lively flames, not a lazy, smoky fire.
  2. Ideal result:
    • Flames are active,
    • Glass stays relatively clear,
    • No heavy smoke coming from the chimney outside.

Step 6 – Reloading the Stove Later

When the first load burns down to a good bed of hot coals:

  1. Open air control fully.
  2. Open the door slowly to avoid smoke spilling out.
  3. Rake coals forward toward the front or center.
  4. Lay new splits on the coals (start with one or two, not stuffing it full).
  5. Close the door, let the new load catch with full air for a few minutes.
  6. Again, turn air down gradually once flames are strong.