How to Dampen Woodstoves

The damper is a metal plate located inside a stovepipe or chimney. It has a handle or chain that you turn or pull to move the plate to the open or closed position. To prevent a chimney fire, you should dampen a woodstove if the fire is so high that flames are going up the stovepipe or chimney. Always keep a bucket of cool ashes near the woodstove as a precaution. You can dampen woodstoves for night burning to create a slow fire that lasts longer while providing heat.

Things You'll Need

• Heat-resistant gloves
• Ashes
• Long-handled ash shovel

Instructions

1. Turn the handle on the top damper for the stovepipe or pull the chain that closes the chimney flue.

2. Close the bottom vents by either turning the knobs until the vent holes are closed or sliding the lever that controls bottom draft until it is in the closed position. Wear heat-resistant gloves to prevent burns.

3. Using a long-handled ash shovel, pour ashes over the wood, pellets or coal to reduce or extinguish the fire.

Tips & Warnings

• Monitor the fire in a woodstove to prevent the excessive flame that requires dampening the stove.

• The stovepipe or chimney damper should be inspected before every season to make sure that it is fully operational. Check for erosion that may prevent the damper from blocking air flow and thus causing a chimney fire.

• When operating a woodstove, make sure there are no flammable materials placed within 36 inches of the woodstove.

• Dampening the stove increases creosote, a sticky substance that adheres to the stovepipe or chimney liner and increases the risk of a chimney fire.

References

• Bluffton Township Fire Department
• Wood Burning Stoves: How to Light a Fire in My Wood Burner