• Dry kindling (small splits, twigs, or purchased kiln-dried sticks)
  • Fire starters (wax cubes, fatwood, fire sticks — never use gasoline or lighter fluid)
  • Long-reach lighter or long matches
  • Newspaper or fire-starter paper (avoid glossy or colored inks)
  • Seasoned hardwood, split and dried 12–18 months (oak, hickory, maple, beech)
  • Wood storage rack (keeps firewood dry and off the ground)
  • Metal ash shovel
  • Metal ash bucket with a tight lid (never plastic)
  • Fireproof gloves (high-heat resistant)
  • Stove brush and scraper for cleaning the inside
  • Carbon monoxide detector
  • Smoke detector
  • Fire extinguisher (Type: ABC)
  • Heat-resistant hearth mat (unless you have stone or tile protection)
  • Stove thermometer (flue or surface — helps prevent over-firing)
  • Safety gate if you have children or pets
  • Poker tool for adjusting logs
  • Tongs for repositioning firewood
  • Rake for coals

OPTIONAL BUT HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

    •      Log splitter (manual or electric)
    • Wood moisture detector (huge for avoiding creosote)
    • Stove-top fan (pushes warm air throughout the room)
    • Iron kettle or humidifier cup (adds humidity to dry winter air)
    • Firewood carrying bag
    • Spark guard screen (for open-door loading or ash tending)
    • Bellows or draft booster fan (optional but helps on cold starts)
    • Infrared thermometer (optional: great for checking stove temps)
    • Moisture meter (wood should be 15–20% moisture)
    • Kindling box/bucket (for organizing small pieces near the stove)