Using Your Appliance
Wood Heating
The amount of pollution generated by a wood stove not only depends on the stove itself but also on how you use it. Never burn:
- Green wood,
- Household garbage,
- Plastics,
- Drift wood,
- Treated wood (deck or playground equipment)
- Painted wood,
- Glossy magazines.
And any material prohibited by local by-laws. This will create large amounts of toxic gases and can damage catalytic combustors in newer wood stoves.
Make small hot fires instead of large smouldering ones. Never leave your wood appliance at the minimum setting overnight with a full firebox. Starved of oxygen the fire cannot burn properly and will cause air pollution inside and outside your home.
Do not burn wood during periods of poor air quality especially when there is little or no wind.
Remove the ashes from your stove or fireplace frequently and dispose of them in a safe manner.
Starting the Fire
Always start the fire with small pieces of wood or kindling lit with crumpled newspaper. Completely open the air supply vent. When the fire from the kindling subsides, add several small pieces of firewood. Gradually increase the size of the wood as the coals build up. Stack wood loosely in your firebox, so plenty of air circulates around it. Your fire will burn hot and efficiently rather than smoulder and generate wood smoke.
Maintaining the Fire
Keep the flame bright and lively. Your fire should only smoke for a few minutes when you first light it and when you add extra wood. Keep enough air in the fire to maintain a flame. Don't let your fire smoulder overnight.
Chimney Concerns
Here's how your chimney can help you determine if you are using your appliance correctly:
- Check your chimney regularly to see how well your fire is doing. Excessive smoke coming from your chimney is a sign of poor combustion as is dark and smelly smoke. Try increasing the air supply to your fire.
- If a fire smokes for more than 30 minutes when you start it, or more than a few minutes when you add wood, there is a problem with the wood, the operating method or both.
- Check the chimney regularly for a build-up of soot or creosote. Creosote build-up is a sign of incomplete combustion and it creates a high risk of chimney fires.
