https://www.fireplacesandstove.com/categories/wood-burning-stoves How to Properly Start a Wood Burning Stove Wood stoves can be a great method to reduce energy consumption and heat the room. They will require some maintenance. Many modern wood stoves conform to EPA emissions guidelines. You can look for an EPA sticker on the grate or underneath it to ensure that your stove isn't releasing harmful pollutants. How to Start a Wood Fire The scent and sound of a wood fire can be a welcome feature in any home. It's essential to know how to create an effective fire on your stove. Unintentional methods can lead to a fire which does not burn well, and may produce smoke or creosote. These tips will assist you in starting an fire that can heat your home with minimum effort and ensure your security. Make sure to check the condition of your coals and logs before you start the fire. If they are wet, they will smother the fire and prevent it from burning efficiently. It is possible to open the chimney to eliminate any ash that falls into the stove. Begin by putting several small newspaper pieces that are dry in your stove. This will help ignite the tinder. Once they start to ignite, add a layer of larger pieces of kindling to the top of the pile. This should be done in a crosshatch pattern so there will be air between each piece of wood. If your wood stove comes with an automatic combustion control, it will automatically pump air into the fire as it expands. This will allow the fire to burn at a consistent pace without having to open the stove door to maintain it. Do not use , as it can cause the fire to burn at an extremely fast rate and will not be able to use the fuel efficiently. When you have a good pile of tinder and some kindling in your stove, start the main fire by laying two large base logs across the grate. Next, place a layer of smaller logs perpendicular to these and on top of the base logs. This "top-down" method of building a fireplace will result in a long-lasting