MASTER THE WOOD STOVE

Use dry wood! We have treated wood inside, no need to forage. Do not use bark, wet wood, or large pieces to start the fire, that will cause a lot of smoke.

Warm the stove up first. If you light a fire in a cold wood stove, smoke will be pushed into the room by the sinking cold air. Leave the stove door open for a few minutes while you prep. Take the time to scoop ash into the metal ash bucket if there’s a lot of it. Then wad up some newspaper and place it below the stovepipe leading into the fire box. The paper will burn rapidly, warming the chimney, and creating a positive draft.

Give it some space. When setting up your kindling, make sure you create space for air to flow between the pieces. Use the so-called tepee method, or log cabin.

Build. Once the kindling gets going, put small pieces of wood on the fire and then add larger pieces. The log-cabin style is easy. Think # hashtag. Eventually you can knock it down with a poker and spread it out.

Do use fire gloves. Don’t use lighter fluid. It’s dangerous and stinky. And you’re a pro, so you don’t need it.

Don’t leave the stove open and don’t leave it unattended.

Fire extinguisher can be found near the kindling box.