Learning how to use a wood stove is easier than it seems. From choosing the right wood to managing airflow, the process is straightforward once you know the basics.
This guide walks you through how to start a fire in a wood burning stove and keep it burning efficiently. By the end, you’ll feel confident, prepared and ready to enjoy the lasting comfort only a stove can provide.
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How to Use a Wood Burning Stove
Learning how to operate a wood stove is about more than striking a match. Proper use helps you get the most heat, keep your home safe and protect your investment. Whether you’re starting a fire in a wood stove for the first time or refining your routine, these steps will help you burn confidently and efficiently.
Many people also wonder how to work a log burning stove. The truth is, the process is the same: whether you call it a log stove or a wood stove, success depends on preparation, airflow and safe operation.
Choose the Right Wood to Burn
The wood you burn determines how well your stove performs. For best results, choose seasoned hardwood such as oak, maple, or ash. These woods burn hotter and longer while producing less creosote buildup in your chimney.
Avoid softwoods like pine, which burn quickly and release more smoke and residue. Moisture content is just as important. Logs should be split and dried for at least six months until they reach a moisture level below 20 percent. Burning damp wood in a wood stove wastes energy, produces excessive smoke and can damage your stove.
When burning wood in a wood stove, size matters too. Smaller logs ignite faster, but larger logs provide longer, steadier heat once the fire is established. The best approach is to start small and gradually add larger pieces as the fire stabilizes.
Pro tip: Use a moisture meter to test your logs before burning. Seasoned wood should register under 20 percent moisture. If you don’t have a meter, knock two logs together. A hollow sound indicates dryness, while a dull thud usually means they’re still damp.
Safety note: Never burn painted, treated, or glued wood, as these release harmful toxins. Avoid burning trash, cardboard, or plastics for the same reason. It's also important to note that burning anything other than seasoned wood will void the manufacturer's warranty.
Prepare Your Lighting Supplies
Starting a fire in a wood burning stove is easier when you prepare everything in advance. Before lighting, gather:
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Dry kindling (small twigs or split wood)
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Fire starters or newspaper
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Matches or a long-reach lighter
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A few pieces of seasoned wood
Preparation improves both safety and efficiency. It keeps you from leaving the stove unattended while searching for supplies and ensures a smooth, even ignition.
Why these items matter:
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Kindling catches quickly and gives your fire a strong base.
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Fire starters help ensure ignition, especially in damp or cold conditions.
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Seasoned logs provide the sustained heat you’ll need once the kindling has burned down.
Do not use lighter fluid, gasoline, or other accelerants. They are unsafe and can damage both you and your stove.
Pro tip: Keep a small basket of fire-starting supplies near your stove so you’re always ready, even on cold nights.
Check and Open the Damper or Air Vents
One of the most common mistakes people make when learning how to start a fire in a wood stove is forgetting the damper or air vents. These control airflow, which is essential for proper combustion.
Opening them before lighting allows oxygen to flow freely, helping your fire catch quickly and preventing smoke from backing into the room. Once the fire is established, you can adjust the vents to regulate the burn rate and heat output. Think of airflow as your fire’s breathing room.
Some stoves have both a primary and a secondary damper. Always open both before lighting. Once the fire is burning steadily, you can fine-tune each one depending on the type of burn you want.
Safety tip: Never close the damper fully while the fire is burning. Doing so can trap smoke, lead to excessive creosote buildup and increase the risk of a chimney fire.
Ready for an upgrade? Check out our Replacing Your Wood Stove blog.
Place Kindling and Dry Logs in the Center of the Stove
How you stack your firewood matters. To start a fire in a wood stove efficiently, place kindling in the center of the firebox with one or two small dry logs on top. This encourages airflow and helps flames spread evenly.
Avoid overpacking the stove. Good airflow between logs promotes cleaner combustion, less smoke and stronger heat output. A layered setup works best: small pieces ignite first, then gradually light the larger logs.
Pro tip: Try different stacking methods:
- Teepee method – good for quick ignition.
- Log cabin method – creates a stable base with consistent airflow.
- Top-down method – larger logs on bottom, kindling on top. Burns longer and cleaner with less smoke.
Light the Kindling
With everything in place, it’s time to light your stove. Ignite the fire starter or newspaper beneath the kindling and allow the flames to build gradually. Resist the urge to add too many logs right away.
A gradual heat increase protects both your stove and chimney from thermal shock, extending their lifespan. Patience leads to a hotter, cleaner fire and helps keep your system in good shape.
Pro tip: Leave the stove door slightly ajar for the first few minutes to allow extra oxygen to reach the flames. Once the kindling is fully lit, close the door to lock in heat.
Adjust Airflow
Mastering how to operate a wood burning stove means knowing how to control airflow. Once the fire is burning steadily, adjust the damper or vents to regulate intensity. Wide-open vents create more heat but consume wood faster, while narrower settings slow the fire for steady warmth.
The key is balance: you need enough oxygen for bright flames without burning through logs too quickly. With practice, adjusting airflow becomes second nature.
Pro tip: Use a stove thermometer to monitor heat output. Ideal burning temperatures are usually between 300°F and 500°F. Too hot risks damaging your stove; too cool leads to creosote buildup.
Want to maximize efficiency? Read our Ways to Get More Heat from Your Wood Stove.
Close the Stove Door and Monitor the Fire
After the fire is established, close the stove door securely. This improves efficiency, prevents sparks from escaping and allows airflow to be controlled through the vents rather than the door.
Check the fire occasionally to confirm it’s burning well. Signs of a healthy fire include bright flames, minimal smoke and steady crackling. Try not to open the door too often, as it disrupts airflow and reduces efficiency.
Safety note: Never leave a wood stove unattended while a fire is burning. If you need to leave the house or go to bed, give yourself enough time to let the fire die down safely.
Safely Extinguish the Fire When Done
Knowing how to work a wood burning stove also means ending the fire safely. The best method is to let the fire burn down naturally to ash. Never use water; it can crack your stove and create steam hazards.
Once completely cool, remove ashes carefully and store them in a metal container with a secure lid. This prevents accidental re-ignition and keeps your space safe. Proper ash disposal also prepares your stove for its next use.
Did you know? Ashes can stay hot for up to 24 hours. Always store them outside on a non-combustible surface such as brick or concrete.
Curious about more uses? Explore our Cooking On A Wood Burning Stove blog.
Wood Stove Tips
Now that you know how to operate a wood stove, here are five practical wood burning stove tips to help you get the most from your stove and keep it running for years:
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Clean regularly – Empty ashes often and clean the glass to maintain peak efficiency. A clean stove burns hotter and safer.
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Schedule inspections – Have a professional check your stove and chimney annually. Inspections catch creosote buildup or cracks before they become dangerous.
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Store wood correctly – Keep logs in a dry, ventilated spot, ideally stacked on pallets or in a covered shed. Proper storage ensures your wood burns cleanly.
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Use a thermometer – A magnetic stove thermometer helps prevent overfiring and extends the life of your stove.
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Burn seasoned hardwood – It burns longer, produces more heat and reduces smoke compared to softwood.
Bonus tips:
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Rotate logs occasionally to maintain even burning.
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Invest in quality stove tools like tongs, a poker and gloves for safe handling.
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Install a carbon monoxide detector in your home as a safety backup.
These simple steps improve efficiency, extend the life of your stove and create safer, more enjoyable fires.
Contact a Dealer to Get the Right Forge & Flame Wood Stove for Your Space
Learning how to start a fire in a wood burning stove and how to use it properly can transform your home with warmth, charm and safety. From choosing the right wood to managing airflow, every step you take protects your stove and enhances your experience.
Understanding how to work a log burning stove also helps you appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into a premium model. The more you know about burning wood in a wood stove, the easier it is to see the value of quality materials, efficient design and long-term reliability.
Forge & Flame wood stoves are crafted with premium steel and designed for dependable performance. If you’re ready to find the right stove for your space, our team can help.
