How to Load a Woodburning Stove
A properly-loaded woodstove can be the primary source of heat for an average-sized home, even on the coldest of winter nights. Not only will a well-stocked stove give you maximum efficiency and heat, but it will also save you money. A warm fire burning in your stove will significantly cut down on your heating costs through the cold-weather months. If you live in a wet climate, like the Pacific Northwest, a woodstove also cuts down on the dampness in your home. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Tipi Method
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1
Ball several pieces of newspaper and place in center of woodstove.
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2
Pile kindling on top of newspaper balls in a "tipi" shape. Imagine you are putting an upside-down ice cream cone of sticks all around the newspaper balls.
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3
Place smaller, split logs in a "tipi" fashion around the kindling. Leave some space in between each log for air flow.
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4
Light match and ignite newspaper in several places.
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5
Place larger and larger logs around the fire, as the fire gets bigger. Continue with the "tipi" shape, putting logs in one by one.
Log Cabin Method
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6
Ball several pieces of newspaper and place in center of woodstove.
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7
Pile kindling on top of newspaper balls in a "tipi" shape. Imagine you are putting an upside-down ice cream cone of sticks all around the newspaper balls.
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8
Place smaller, split logs in a "log cabin" shape around the kindling. Imagine you are building a square house around the kindling with one log to the left and right of the fire. Place two slightly longer logs on top of those in the opposite direction. Finish with a third layer in the first direction.
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9
Light a match and ignite the newspaper in several places.
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10
Place logs two at a time as the fire gets bigger, following the "log cabin" pattern. Loading logs two or four at a time will create a very hot fire.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Be sure to use dry kindling and logs, or your fire will be very smoky and won't burn well.
Have your chimney cleaned every year, to prevent chimney fires.
