How to Build a Fire in a Wood Stove

You can successfully build a fire in a wood stove.

Building a fire in a wood stove involves the same principles as building a camp fire or a cooking fire. You'll need the basics for building a fire such as matches, paper and wood. But it is how you combine these things that will make or break any wood stove fire. If you're one of those people who can't seem to start a fire, this is the article for you.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Dry kindling
• Dry wood
• Matches

1. Open any air vents in the stove door.

2. Wad up several pieces of paper into balls. 5 or 6 should be sufficient.

3. Place the wadded paper balls in the bottom of the wood stove.

4. Stack several small pieces of kindling wood on top of the wadded paper balls. Be generous with the kindling, and cover the balls up.

5. Light a match and touch it to the sides of the paper balls. They will quickly ignite.

6. Watch the flames until you see the kindling wood ignite. When that happens, place slightly larger and larger pieces of wood on top of the kindling. The kindling will ignite these larger pieces of wood.

7. Close the door on the wood stove. The draft from the air vents will fuel the fire making the kindling burn hotter which will quickly ignite the larger pieces of wood.

8. Once the fire is really burning strongly, add bigger pieces of wood.

Tips & Warnings

• Be careful to use a mit, hand towel, or something to grab hold of the wood stove door or lid handle.

• Never leave a burning fire unattended. Always have a fire extinguisher at the ready to protect against sparks or burning embers.