by James Quetzal

Created on: November 13, 2009

Cozy and comforting, a woodstove is a homey addition to any home. However, if you have just relocated to a home that has one and are dealing with a woodstove for the first time, they can seem both intimidating and foreign.

Though it would seem as simple as adding wood and striking a match, anyone who has dealt with the realities of fire-starting can tell you that it is much more complicated than that. But don't despair; the money that you save on heat, and the warmth added to the atmosphere of your home, is well worth the effort expended on learning how to use a woodstove.

First, you'll need wood. It is best not to spend too much money purchasing overpriced firewood from chain stores or gas stations. If you can, gather your own wood. You will need fallen trees, a small chainsaw you feel confident handling, and a truck or wagon.

Many farmers will let you clear out their dead wood for free. When cutting pieces, remember the size of the interior of your stove; you'll need the biggest chunks that will fit, medium ones for daily fires, and small, dry, easily burnable pieces for kindling. Once you get your wood home, rick it in a dry, preferably warm place with the variety of pieces available.

Next, prepare your stove. If there are too many ashes, remove most of them. Leave a thin layer for your wood to rest on to facilitate the fire. Make sure that there are no fire hazards near the stove: remove nearby rugs and clear away flammable liquids. You may also want to set a pot of hot water atop the stove to create a degree of humidity in the house.

After preparing the stove, you are finally ready to start a fire. Place two or three kindling pieces in the stove, not on top of one another. Add a few sheets of newspaper or other flammable trash. Being careful, light the paper. The paper should catch the kindling, but if it is wet or cold, you may have to repeat this step. Never, ever use lighter fluid to start your fire; this can cause injury or even a house fire.

When the kindling begins to catch fire, add a medium log. When this catches, add another and close up the stove. Add wood at regular intervals to keep the fire burning, and at night, add your larger logs. If the ashes and burned wood remain hot, the fire will easily start next time.

By following the above steps you should be well on your way to using and enjoying your wood stove. Above all else, remember to keep on top of the chores related to owning a wood stove. The last thing that you want to be doing is searching for wood every morning. Good luck and enjoy the warmth, savings and ambience of your woodstove!

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