Anatomy of a Wood-Burning Stove

A wood stove

Wood stoves provide toasty warmth and are ideal for workshops, garages or cabins. They use renewable energy and save homeowners money on their heating bills. Before installing a wood stove, you should become familiar with the parts and their functions.

Damper

The damper is on the inside top of the stove. It should be opened when the stove is in use and closed when not in use to keep air from getting into your home.

Stove Pipes

The stove pipes run from the base of your stove to the outside wall or chimney. These pipes remove smoke from your home while the stove is being used.

Belly

The belly of the stove is where the wood will be placed. This section will ideally be crafted of cast iron or plate steel, according to MostWoodStoves.com.

Stove Doors and Grate

The stove doors and grate allow you to open the wood stove to place more wood into it or to extinguish the fire. Homeowners should select a door with a glass panel if they enjoy watching the fire burn, according to MostWoodStoves.com.

Ash Pan

The ash pan will be a slide-out tray below the belly of your stove. This should always be in place when the stove is burning to collect ashes and hot coals.

Legs

Your wood-burning stove should have four legs for support, one on each corner. These should be resting on a tiled or concrete surface for safety.

References

• Most Wood Stoves: Get Fired Up Over Wood Burning Stoves