Starting a Stove Fire

[Industrial Toys]

Might have to go to a museum to find a 100 watt Edison bulb though.

 

[Doofy]

Might have to go to a museum to find a 100 watt Edison bulb though.

I thought the Prez reversed the bulb ban?

 

[aczlan]

To start a stove fire you need to get the air moving up the flue.
Many things will do the trick,
A 100 watt light bulb, a plumbers torch, or a bundle of shredded newspaper (that will smoke a bit).
It is all about density.
Cold air is dense and wont raise so by heating it the flow starts.
If I burn newspaper I do get some smoke for a few mins but then the draw starts and I'm good to go.
Later on I tried the 100 watt bulb for a few mins and was good to go.
It is all about density! Cold air is more dense than hot air.
Try my suggestions and you'll be pleased.
Have a good day! (and smokeless home)

We have a box fan that was retrofitted with 2x4 legs after the plastic ones broke off. It fits perfectly in front of the door of the wood boiler (which has a almost 3 story tall 8" stainless chimney that runs up the side of the house).
When starting from a cold stove, I put the fan in the doorway of the stove on high while I refill the wood cart from the other end of the basement (5-7 mins), when I come back it will pull a lit ball of crumpled up newspaper or telephone book up the chimney and then I know that I am good to go to light a fire without smoking the place up.

Aaron Z

 

[Industrial Toys]

I personally found, that at times the propane torch is not enough to get the SS liner heated up to get a draft started. I have tried. So I am unconvinced, that for my installation, a bulb would work. Best option is just to use something what burns (guranteed) and with little smoke. I actually used to love the gell type fire starter, but have resisted spending the money. Hate when you spend money to save money. But opening all the doors and windows in the middle of winter to try and get rid of the smoke and not have the smell get into the furnishings, isn't good either, never mind uncomfortable.

 

[Jstpssng]

On a stormy, windy day I fight to get a fire started. Sometimes I burn nothing but cardboard until things heat up a bit. I know that it will go for sure though, once the smoke alarm finally goes off as I open the stove yet again.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I find cardboard smokes like crazy in a small stove. Crumpled up bond paper seems to smoke less. Curious if sticking a candle in the stove for half an hour or so would be of any help to start the draft process.

 

[rangerfredbob]

I use a few different fire starters but usually start similarly, if any coals left I pile them in one spot to start, put some fire starter over that then some smaller splits and or a few pieces of kindling (depending on what firewood I'm using... just the sharp edge of some wood is enough to make for easy starting).

For fire starters, I picked up a large box of fatwood from Amazon, I think it was $50 for 25 pounds at the time, transferred the banana box worth into I think 5 popcorn tins. Those sticks are mostly big so I split them to about pencil size. I'll use 2-3 of those under some kindling and it's enough to do the job...

We've also been using drier lint split up into egg cartons with some wax dribbled over the top then cut up the egg carton, works great and is pretty much guaranteed to start a fire...

 

[Doofy]

I've just never had any problems with building the fire or with the draft. I only use well seasoned wood...spruce and some willow.

 

[Industrial Toys]

The lint burns well but the fabric softener sheets are also great fire starters.

A while back some prankster burned down a whole grocery store when he set fire to some potatoe chips. Could be something to think about.

 

[goeduck]

I've just never had any problems with building the fire or with the draft. I only use well seasoned wood...spruce and some willow.

I do not have issues getting a draft going either. But I also have a single story house with a flue straight up out of the stove. That helps, I am sure.

I never tried burning a 100 watt bulb.