A wood burning stove is an excellent way to heat your home, but it needs to be installed and used correctly. One of the key steps in installing and using a wood burning stove is to open the flue. The flue is the tube that connects the stove to the chimney, and it’s essential for proper ventilation. Here’s how to open a flue on a wood burning stove.
1. Make Sure the Flue Is Clean
Before you open the flue, you should make sure it’s clean. You should use a brush to clean any soot or debris that has built up in the flue. This will ensure that the smoke will be able to escape the stove without obstruction. If you don’t clean the flue, it could get clogged, which can be dangerous.
2. Check the Flue for any Obstructions
It’s also important to check the flue for any obstructions before you open it. You should look for any objects that may be blocking the flue, such as leaves, twigs, or bird nests. If you find any obstructions, you should remove them before you open the flue.
3. Open the Damper or Lever
Once you’ve checked the flue for any obstructions, you can open the damper or lever. The damper or lever is located on the stove, and it’s used to control the flow of air out of the stove. You should open the damper or lever, and then wait a few minutes to allow the hot air to escape.
4. Turn on the Fan
If your wood burning stove has a fan, you should turn it on. The fan will help to keep the air circulating in the stove, which will help to keep the fire burning more efficiently. You should leave the fan on until the fire has died down.
5. Open the Stove Door
Once the fire has died down, you can open the stove door. This will allow more air to enter the stove, and it will also help to keep the fire burning. Make sure you open the door slowly, as the air can be quite hot.
6. Close the Damper or Lever
Once the fire has died down, you can close the damper or lever. This will help to keep the heat in the stove, and it will also help to keep the fire burning more efficiently. Make sure you close the damper or lever completely.
7. Turn off the Fan
Once you’ve closed the damper or lever, you should turn off the fan. This will help to conserve energy and keep the stove at the right temperature.
FAQs
Q: How often should I clean the flue?
A: You should clean the flue at least once a year, or more often if necessary. If you find that there is a lot of soot and debris in the flue, you should clean it more often.
Q: What should I do if I find an obstruction in the flue?
A: If you find an obstruction in the flue, you should remove it before opening the flue. If you can’t remove the obstruction, you should contact a professional to help you.
Q: When should I open the damper or lever?
A: You should open the damper or lever when you’re ready to start a fire in the stove. You should also close it when the fire has died down.
Q: Should I leave the fan on while the fire is burning?
A: Yes, you should leave the fan on while the fire is burning. This will help to keep the air circulating in the stove, which will help to keep the fire burning more efficiently.
Q: When should I open the stove door?
A: You should open the stove door after the fire has died down. This will allow more air to enter the stove, and it will also help to keep the fire burning. Make sure you open the door slowly, as the air can be quite hot.
Q: When should I close the damper or lever?
A: You should close the damper or lever once the fire has died down. This will help to keep the heat in the stove, and it will also help to keep the fire burning more efficiently.
Q: Should I turn off the fan when I’m done using the stove?
A: Yes, you should turn off the fan when you’re done using the stove. This will help to conserve energy and keep the stove at the right temperature.