How to Light a Fire in a Wood or Multifuel Stove - Complete Guide

A warm, roaring fire can transform your home into a cosy haven on a chilly day. Lighting a fire in a wood burning or multifuel stove, however, requires a bit of technique to enhance it burns efficiently and safely. If you're new to stoves or looking to enhance your fire-lighting skills, this guide will walk you through the process step-by-step.

Why Lighting a Stove Properly Matters

Improperly lighting a stove can lead to poor combustion, excess smoke, and creosote build up, which increases the risk of chimney fires. A well-lit stove ensures:

1. Efficient Burning: Maximising heat output while using less fuel.
2. Clean Burn: Reducing smoke and environmental impact.
3. Safety: Preventing issues like backdrafts and chimney blockages.

Understanding Your Stove

Before lighting your stove, familiarise yourself with its features and settings:

Air Vents: Control the airflow to the fire. Most stoves have a primary vent for initial combustion and a secondary vent for maintaining flames.

Baffle Plate: Located near the top of the stove, it redirects smoke to the flue and retains heat.

Grate: Found in multifuel stoves, this is where fuel rests. Some models have riddling grates for ash removal.

Ensure the stove is clean and free of excess ash or debris before starting.

Preparation: What You’ll Need

For Wood Stoves

• Dry Firewood: Choose seasoned hardwoods like oak, ash, or beech with a moisture content below 20%.
• Kindling: Small, dry sticks to ignite the firewood.
• Firelighters: Natural or chemical firelighters for easy ignition.

For Multifuel Stoves

• Solid Fuels: Coal, anthracite, or smokeless fuels designed for stoves.
• Kindling and Firelighters: Needed to start the fire.

Additional Tools

• Matches or a long-nose lighter.
• Stove gloves for safety.
• A moisture meter to check wood moisture content.
• Ash shovel for clean up.

Step-by-Step Guide to Lighting Your Stove

Check the Chimney Draft

Before lighting your stove, check that your chimney is drafting correctly. Cold air can sometimes create a backdraft, pushing smoke into the room.

Open the stove door slightly and feel for airflow. If air is coming into the stove rather than going out, warm the flue.

How to Warm the Flue: Light a piece of newspaper and hold it inside the stove near the flue outlet for a few seconds. This creates a hot draft that pushes cold air out.

Open the Air Vents

Fully open the primary and secondary air vents to maximise oxygen flow. This helps the fire catch more easily.

Arrange Your Fire

There are two main methods for arranging the fire: The Traditional Method and The Top Down Method.

The Traditional Method

1. Place crumpled newspaper or a firelighter at the base of the stove.
2. Build a small pyramid of kindling on top.
3. Lay one or two small logs across the kindling.
4. Light the newspaper or firelighter.

The Top-Down Method

This method burns cleaner and requires less maintenance:

1. Place two larger logs at the base of the stove.
2. Add a layer of smaller logs or kindling above them.
3. Place a firelighter or crumpled newspaper on top.
4. Light the fire from the top.

Light the Fire

Use a long-nose lighter or match to ignite the firelighters or newspaper. If using the top down method, light the material at the top and let the fire burn downward.

Monitor the Fire

Once lit, monitor the fire as it grows:

Close the stove door partially, leaving a small gap for airflow. After the kindling catches, add more fuel gradually. Avoid overloading the stove.

Adjust the Airflow

After the fire is established:

Reduce the primary air vent setting to limit oxygen and control burn rate.

Use the secondary vent to maintain a clean, efficient flame.

Maintain the Fire

For wood stoves:

Add logs as needed, placing them toward the back of the stove. Use smaller logs for a quick flame or larger ones for a longer burn.

For multifuel stoves:

Add solid fuel sparingly to prevent smothering the flames.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Fire Won’t Catch

Check your fuel: Ensure wood is dry and kindling is small enough to ignite easily.

Improve airflow: Open vents fully or crack open a window to eliminate negative pressure.

Excess Smoke

• Ensure the wood is dry and seasoned.
• Check for chimney blockages.
• Warm the flue to improve draft.

Fire Burns Too Quickly

• Reduce the air supply by partially closing the vents.
• Use denser hardwoods that burn slower.

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Safety Tips

1. Never Leave the Stove Unattended: Especially when the fire is starting.
2. Install a Carbon Monoxide Detector: This is crucial for detecting harmful gases.
3. Regular Maintenance: Clean the stove and chimney regularly to prevent creosote build up.
4. Avoid Overloading: Overfilling the stove can cause overheating and damage.

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Optimising Heat Output

1. Use a Stove Thermometer: Monitor the temperature to keep it within the optimal range (typically 200-400°F for most stoves).
2. Reflective Panels: Add these behind your stove to reflect heat back into the room.
3. Maximise Secondary Combustion: Ensure the secondary air vent is open enough to allow gases to reignite for a cleaner burn.

Lighting a fire in a wood or multifuel stove is both an art and a science. With the right preparation, technique, and maintenance, you can enjoy a warm, efficient, and safe fire every time. By following this guide, you’ll not only keep your home cosy but also protect your stove for years to come.

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