Top/Down or Down/Top when Lighting Your Wood Burner ... what do you do?

[Logdaft]

I tried the top/down method a few weeks ago when the weather was cooler for a couple of days. I found that the fire started a lot quicker, the smoke created by the logs below ignited & was burnt off as the flames were at the top, so there was a lot less smoke going into the atmosphere, I also noticed that the glass stayed a lot cleaner than before. 👍

[Bolt]

I prefer the diesel/ kerosene/paraffin all-over-at-the-same-time method.

 

Don't remember seeing it detailed in that Lars Mytting book though.

[coppice cutter]

1 hour ago, Stubby said:

I can do from bottom up in my Burley no probs . 

But you cheat!

[Stubby]

24 minutes ago, coppice cutter said:

But you cheat!

I do 😁

[coppice cutter]

1 hour ago, Bolt said:

I prefer the diesel/ kerosene/paraffin all-over-at-the-same-time method.

 

Don't remember seeing it detailed in that Lars Mytting book though.

What's it like living with painted-on eyebrows?

 

At least, I assume that your own are long gone.

[John Skinner]

Another vote for the Top Down method (New 10Kw multi fuel stove, still learning) wood only. Seems the quick and easy option, especially with the eco stoves where 'apparently' you need to heat the flue to get things moving.

 

Wee bit of paper at the bottom and any crushed fire lighter that's going. Mid sized kindling. Small kindling stack with one fire lighter cube. Top-off with any little bits of twig/bark laying about. Open both the top/bottom vents, fire in a match to the top stack ... and away she goes. Wait till it looks like the pits of hell, then fire in a couple of big logs (hardwood), shut the bottom vent, slide the top vet back to about 1/4 and leave it alone.

 

As for glass cleaning. As long as i open the top vent at the end of the burn (if letting it go out, which i wont be doing over the winter) the air wash seems to clean off the glass pretty well. Also reduces the ash down nicely to a fine powder.

 

* Added two twin turbo fans to the single-wall section of flue. Have to say those work really well at moving the warm air through the house. Silent too 

 

 

[Bolt]

1 hour ago, coppice cutter said:

What's it like living with painted-on eyebrows?

 

At least, I assume that your own are long gone.

I think you are getting confused with petrol.

 

I can assure you my Neanderthal mono-brow remains in pristine condition.

[Steven P]

1 hour ago, Bolt said:

I think you are getting confused with petrol.

 

I can assure you my Neanderthal mono-brow remains in pristine condition.

 

Firelighters are just solid paraffin really

[coppice cutter]

55 minutes ago, Steven P said:

 

Firelighters are just solid paraffin really

With a considerably smaller surface area at any given time than the liquid version.

[sandspider]

I use woodwool firelighters. Supposedly eco, and work well for me - lots of down draughts in our cold, damp valley.