How to Operate a Fireplace Insert
A fireplace insert is an excellent alternative to gas or electricity for heating your home. Although it is a little messier, it is much more economical. Installing and operating a wood stove insert into your fireplace is not too difficult, provided you have a clean chimney and some strong friends to help you move it. There really is not a whole lot to operating a fireplace insert as long as you know a few of the basic ideas and can start a fire. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Make sure you fireplace insert is clear of ashes, as too many ashes will smother the fire. Place some crumpled up paper in the middle of the fireplace insert and top with a few pieces of kindling.
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Light one of the matches and use it to catch the paper on fire. Add a little more kindling until you have a fairly strong fire. Close one door of your fireplace insert, but leave the other door open six inches to allow some airflow.
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Top the kindling with two small logs or split pieces of wood. Allow the fire to catch on the wood before adding any more.
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Close both of the fireplace insert doors once the fire is burning well. Make sure to turn the handles so the doors lock in place.
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Use the vents to control the pace at which the fire burns. Open the vents all the way to encourage the fire to burn hotter and faster. Keep the vents open when beginning your fire.
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Turn the vents to close somewhat and burn a slow fire. Use this once your home is warm and you want to conserve wood or at night when everyone is sleeping to make the wood last longer in the fireplace insert.
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Clean your fireplace insert regularly to help prevent ash build up.
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Tips & Warnings
Make your own fire starters. Fill the cups of a paper egg carton with sawdust, small wood chips or fabric scraps. Pour hot wax over it all. Allow it to harden and break apart the cups to make 12 individual fire starters.
Fireplace inserts vary a little on the type of doors. Some inserts have two doors and some only have one. If you only have one door, make sure you leave it open a few inches when starting your fire.
When you are starting a fire in your fireplace insert, do not walk away from it while the door is slightly open. A piece of wood could roll out and start a fire in your home.
