How to burn wood safely and efficiently on a stove
Open fires are still very popular and do create a very welcoming focal point for a room. However many people are turning to the more efficient wood burning or multifuel stove.
Burning in a stove is controlled by adjusting the primary and secondary air supply. Manufacturers’ recommendations regarding correct use of air controls should be observed but generally, when fresh logs are added to a stove, they should be burned fiercely with both primary and secondary air inlets fully open . The primary air intake can be closed off once the logs are almost completely charred and secondary air then used to control the rate of combustion . Correct burning reduces the creation of smoke, and therefore of tar. Visible smoke emission from the chimney is an indication that the logs are being burned inefficiently.
A stove should never be banked up with fresh logs for burning overnight. The fuel will burn slowly and inefficiently with heavy deposits of tar likely to form in the chimney.
At the end of the day, a bright fire which has turned wood into charcoal should be left with the day’s ash, secondary air open and no primary air.
