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The Ultimate Guide to Keeping Your Stove Lit During a Storm!

Writer's picture: Joe JohnsonJoe Johnson
A stove lit during stormy weather

Imagine this: the wind's howling like a pack of wolves, the rain's drumming a wild rhythm on your roof, and there you are, wondering if your cosy fire even stands a chance. Well you need not worry! With a pinch of preparation and a sprinkle of know-how, you can keep the flames roaring all night. 

Whether you’re nestled in your countryside haven or holding the fort in suburbia, this guide is for you. So, grab a cuppa, settle in, and let’s help you get your stove burning properly even when mother nature decides to have a mood swing.


Understanding Your Stove and Weather Conditions

Embarking on our cosy journey, it's essential to understand a less discussed part of the puzzle: the flue in your chimney, and how it's influenced by our sometimes-dramatic weather.


The Chimney Flue:

  • Your flue is more important than you may think. It's essentially a vertical tunnel guiding smoke and gases from your stove to the outside world. A well-functioning flue is like a well functioning conveyor belt in a factory, consistently moving the smoke and gases outside.


Demonstration of air going through unblocked and blocked chimneys
  • However, like that conveyor belt, your flue faces challenges and needs to be maintained to work properly. Even a slight blockage will hurt your chances of getting your stove going, as you can see on the right, because it already has to work harder to evacuate the smoke and gases through the flue. The draw, or the upward movement of those gases and smoke within the flue, is vital for your stove to perform well.


How Weather Plays Its Part:

  • Atmospheric Pressure: Low pressure during storms can make the draw in your chimney weaker. Imagine trying to sip a thick milkshake through a narrow straw – it requires more effort, and so does your stove when trying to expel smoke.

  • Wind: Gusts of wind can be like that annoying relative who disrupts every family gathering. Wind can push air down your chimney, creating downdrafts that force smoke back into your room.

  • Rain and Snow: These elements can cool your chimney flue, reducing the draw, albeit to a much lesser extent than wind or atmospheric pressure. Though the gases will still go through the flue, they can be more sluggish as they rise up.


By understanding the delicate dance between your stove, its flue, and the ever-changing moods of the weather, you set the stage for a warm and inviting night, no matter what Mother Nature decides to throw your way.



Lighting Your Stove

So now we know a bit more about how everything works, let’s ignite that fire. We’ll start with preparing your stove to give yourself the best shot against the storm.


Preparing Your Stove:

  • Clean Out the Ash Bed: Normally it’s good to keep a little ash at the bottom to help keep the heat going. This time, begin with a clean slate. Removing old ash will ensure maximum airflow which we need in this instance. Remember though, hot ashes give off carbon monoxide, so dispose of them safely outside.


How kindling should be set up
  • Position Your Kindling: Now, lay down your kindling. Think of it as creating a little wooden nest. Arrange the pieces in a crisscross pattern, like a game of noughts and crosses or jenga tower with gaps in between, leaving about an inch of space between kindling for air to circulate. This structure will help your kindling catch fire more easily and efficiently.


  • Set Up Firelighters: Place a couple of firelighters amidst the kindling. In stormy conditions, using two or three firelighters helps increase the chances of your fire not going out, warming the flue a little more and fighting against any downdrafts. Although it may be tempting, DO NOT use any fire lighting fluid or gases, for obvious reasons this is very dangerous to do. Plus, slowly warming the chimney flue is much better and safer.


  • Open All Air Vents: Before striking a match, the last step is to make sure all air vents on your stove are fully open. This maximises airflow, encouraging a strong initial burn. It’s important to note that some stove manufacturers also advise to keep the door slightly open ajar for a brief period, providing even more air. However, this isn’t the case with every stove. Some manufacturers even design the door to close on its own to prevent this, so check your instructions for that once 


Igniting the Fire:

  • Light the Firelighters: Now, light all your firelighters and watch as they start to set your kindling ablaze.

  • Building the Heat: As the kindling starts to burn, the heat will rise, warming up the flue. This gradual process helps combat the downward pressure from the storm, ensuring the smoke travels up and out as it should.

  • Add more Kindling: With the first batch of kindling burning away, once it’s self-sustaining and glowing orange, add another batch. This serves to warm the flue longer before adding your logs, and also as a better bed of fuel for your logs too.


Adding More Fuel:

  • Introduce Larger Logs: Once the kindling is burning well, it’s time to add larger logs. Do this gradually, placing them to allow for good airflow. Don’t forget to make sure you burn properly dried out logs with less than 20% moisture. You can use a moisture checker, or if you knock 2 logs together they should make a hollow sound instead of a thud.

  • Adjust Airflow: As the fire grows, begin to adjust the air vents. After about 45 minutes to an hour, the chimney should be warmed up enough to start reducing the air vents. The right amount of air is crucial – too much, and your fire burns too quickly; too little, and it might put out the fire before the storm can. So I’d recommend turning the vents down gradually until you find the right balance. If you’re wanting to burn smokeless fuel though, keep the vents open until you’ve gotten to the point of adding that, again only turning the vents down once it’s self-sustaining.


By following these steps, you'll turn your stove into a reliable source of warmth and comfort, defying any storm with a constant crackle of burning wood. Enjoy the cosy atmosphere you've created, a perfect antidote to the wild weather outside.


Finally, don't wait for the next storm! Ensure your chimney is ready for whatever the weather throws at it. Book your professional chimney sweep now and enjoy peace of mind all season long.





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