How to Light a Solid Fuel Stove

For the best results, always start with a clean stove. Using the spade from your fireside companion set and an ash bucket, remove ash from the grate and empty the ash-pan before lighting your stove. If the ash is cold, an ash vacuum will make this task easier. Open the bottom air vents of the stove and open the flue damper; a good supply of oxygen is needed to get your fire going.

One method to start a fire is to use firelighters. Place two peat briquettes into the stove (or your solid fuel of choice), a couple of inches apart. Place a piece of firelighter or two between the two briquettes and then place two more briquettes across the top.

Carefully light the firelighters with a match. Leave the door open slightly as you do this to allow for better flue draw, which in turn will make the fire burn harder. When the fire is well established, add more fuel to the stove without overloading and smothering the fire.

An alternative method to start a fire is to use old newspaper. Loosely roll sheets of newspaper in long rolls and then crumple them to roughly form circles.

Start by placing two briquettes (or your solid fuel of choice) into the stove, one on top of the other. Next place the rolled up paper next to the briquettes. Place wooden kindling over the paper so that is it leaning on the briquettes. Place two briquettes on the top. The first two briquettes will help the fire not to collapse while it burns and put itself out.

Carefully light the newspaper with a match in several places. Leaving the door open slightly as you do this will allow for better flue draw, which in turn will make the fire burn harder.

When the fire is well established, add more fuel to the stove but do not over load. Once the fire is burning, the air vents can be closed to slow the burning of the fuel.