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Care for Your Wood Stove

To those of us living in the Minneapolis / St. Paul areas, keeping warm is a top priority for more of the year than we’d like to admit. Many homeowners use wood stoves and fireplaces to supplement central heating, so it’s important to know how to care for your wood burning appliance. If you have a wood stove, some of the following tips can be helpful.

First off, let’s cover the don’ts. Never burn driftwood, artificial logs, treated wood, or trash, which could contain zinc, sulfur, plastic, or lead. It might be easier to assume that if you can seal the door, you’re not breathing anything dangerous, but these things can emit harmful gases when burned that could start a chimney fire or compromise your air quality.

Make sure that any wood you use is properly seasoned. Wet or green wood will cause additional creosote buildup.

Make sure that any wood you use is properly seasoned. Wet or green wood will cause additional creosote buildup.

As with any wood burning appliance, it is always best to burn only dry, seasoned wood.  This will maximize heating efficiency and minimize creosote buildup. Small, hot fires that range between 300°-400° degrees is what you’re aiming for. If you have a stack thermometer installed, it’s easier to maintain this temperature for optimum efficiency and the least amount of pollution. Another way to determine if your fire is burning hot and clean is to take a look outside. The less smoke you see coming out of chimney the better.

Keep those air-intake vents clean. Ash can collect around the vents, so be sure to remove it regularly. Not only will this help you keep your fire hotter, it will also mean that your fire won’t require as much oxygen to burn. (And guess where the oxygen comes from? That’s right, your home.) Another thing to keep in mind is that other exhaust appliances can interfere with the air consumed by your wood stove. If the fire doesn’t have enough air, smoke will reverse its flow and enter your home.

Make sure your stove is safe. A safety tested wood stove will bear an NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) label to identify it as being in compliance with building and safety codes. At Jack Pixley, we are equipped to install top-quality wood stoves that adhere to safety codes, and we’re certified to keep your stove and chimney clean and in proper working order. We know what to look for and where, and are here to look out for your safety.

A wood stove can be a great asset for keeping your home warm, but remember that heavy use also means faster creosote buildup. Creosote buildup is a part of every wood burning appliance, no matter how efficient your fires are, and it’s important to keep the chimney clear of creosote or any other obstruction. The Chimney Safety Institute of America recommends having your wood stove and chimney inspected and cleaned at least annually to ensure that every component is working properly and safely. Don’t hesitate to give us a call at (763) 422-0481. We also offer convenient online scheduling if you’re strapped for time.

Burning the Right Firewood

Correct Firewood

What type of wood should I burn? The moisture content of firewood is actually more important than the species.  Trees are comprised of 40-60% water. If wood is not seasoned, all the fire’s energy is used to burn the water instead of creating heat. Wood should be seasoned for at least 6 months and reduced to 20-25% moisture. Failure to burn seasoned wood can cause a build up of creosote, which means a less safe and less clean burn. This is one thing your certified sweep will look for during inspection.

Almost all wood will burn at the same temperature, though dense or hard wood will burn longer. Lightweight, soft woods like pine burn faster and

Always burn seasoned firewood and not green wood or chemically treated wood.

Always burn seasoned firewood and not green wood or chemically treated wood.

will create more creosote buildup in your chimney, though in small doses, this can actually be helpful. Soft woods are easier to light and can help the more dense wood to light evenly. Mixtures of hard and soft woods are a great way to build a long lasting fire that starts easily.

Where should I buy wood? The increasingly popular slogan ‘buy local’ is a good one to follow when purchasing wood. Locally harvested firewood supports sustainable forestry and is usually less expensive because you aren’t paying for transportation cost. Choosing local will also reduce the risks that come with bringing insects and fungi that are not native.

If you aren’t familiar with how to tell seasoned from unseasoned, buy from a licensed dealer so you don’t end up with sputtering wood that clogs your chimney with creosote. Burning seasoned wood is extremely important, since green wood will give you a lot less heat and a lot more creosote, which can cause chimney fire. Here are some tips to help you tell green wood from seasoned.

Seasoned wood:

  • Turns to grey or yellow depending on species
  • No moisture inside when split open
  • Usually has cracks on the ends that indicate dryness
  • Will produce a hollow sound when 2 pieces are banged together

Most of the time, wood is sold by the chord, which usually measures about 8 feet long, 4 feet wide and 4 feet high. This measurement will vary depending on how tight or loose the wood is stacked.