From the stove fitter's workshop

Heat smart,
not more.

Six practical tips that will save you firewood, clean your chimney and extend the life of your stove. No theory — just what actually works.

Light from the top down
🔥 Lighting

Light from the top down

The classic chimney start requires paper and kindling at the bottom. Modern top-down lighting produces cleaner smoke, less tar and faster reaching of operating temperature.

  1. 1 Large logs at the bottom, smaller ones on top
  2. 2 Kindling and firelighter on top
  3. 3 Air supply fully open
  4. 4 After 20 minutes, reduce the damper

More practical tips

Each card is a standalone tip with concrete steps. Click to expand.

Dry wood is half the battle
🪵 Fuel

Dry wood is half the battle

Fuel moisture determines both performance and the lifespan of your chimney. The goal is 15–20% moisture — wood stored for 2 seasons under a shelter with airflow.

Show steps
  1. 1 Split fresh, dry for at least a year
  2. 2 Store under a roof, not in plastic sheeting
  3. 3 Hardwood (beech, oak, hornbeam) is the best choice
  4. 4 A moisture meter costs next to nothing — and saves a fortune
Soot-free glass
Maintenance

Soot-free glass

Sooty glass spoils the experience and reduces efficiency. Prevention is usually enough — proper draught and moisture — but a quick clean with a cloth and ash helps occasionally.

Show steps
  1. 1 When lighting, burn at full power for 30 minutes
  2. 2 Dry wood + sufficient air supply
  3. 3 Cleaning: damp cloth + fine ash
  4. 4 Chemical products are usually unnecessary and can cause irritation
Check the chimney draught 3× a year
🏠 Chimney

Check the chimney draught 3× a year

Good draught means a clean stove and safe operation. Insufficient draught causes a smoking appliance; too strong a draught burns through fuel unusually fast.

Show steps
  1. 1 Flue inspection 1× a year (per regulation 34/2016 Sb.)
  2. 2 Cleaning 3× a year (solid fuel up to 50 kW)
  3. 3 Ideal draught 12 ± 2 Pa
  4. 4 After an inactive summer, do a test fire first
Heat smart, not more
📈 Efficiency

Heat smart, not more

Most people burn more intensely than necessary and then open windows. A better approach: one proper fire, regulate with the damper, add wood before it burns out.

Show steps
  1. 1 Start at full power (reach operating temperature quickly)
  2. 2 Once burning, regulate the primary air
  3. 3 Leave the secondary air open
  4. 4 Add wood during the glowing embers phase
Safety clearances
🛡️ Safety

Safety clearances

Combustible materials must maintain a prescribed safety distance from the stove. The rules are in the technical datasheet, but universal guidelines apply.

Show steps
  1. 1 Min. 80 cm in front of the door (radiant heat)
  2. 2 Min. 20 cm on the sides and at the back
  3. 3 Non-combustible mat under the stove (glass, metal sheet)
  4. 4 In enclosures, ensure ventilation with an air gap

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