Lighting your stove in a cold chimney

As winter draws nearer it becomes the perfect time to light your stove and enjoy its warmth. Unfortunately a common problem can be that the cooler air in the chimney prevents stoves from lighting successfully. Luckily this is nothing to do with your installation, and instead is an indication that you need to change the physics of the air within the chimney.

Cold air is denser than hot air and can prevent the hot air from rising up the chimney. Whilst the stove has not been alight, cold air will have travelled into the flue, meaning that when you open the door to your stove cold air will escape. This will show that your flue is still cold and will struggle to generate enough heat to go up the chimney. Fortunately there is a way to ensure that your stove lights and pushes the cold air away.

Rodstation’s tips for solving this problem to ensure that you can relight your fire throughout the winter months- take that cold air!

1. Have the chimney swept

It is recommended that you should have your chimney swept at least once a year, but it could be more depending on the style of your chimney and flue. It is important to keep your chimney in good condition to make sure that it is safe to use and to prevent blockages.

2. Open the door to your stove

As previously mentioned, when you open the door to your stove the cold air in the flue will rush out into your room. To keep the cold air out and get the flue ready for hot air, try and open the door at least 30 minutes before you attempt to light the stove. Another tip would be to use a hairdryer in the same room as the stove because this will help to warm up the air.

3. Light dry newspaper

Roll dry newspaper in balls and then light them to create a rush of warm air that will push the cold air up the flue. You can also use firelighters at the back of the stove and leave the stove door slightly ajar to create a draught. Then continue to use paper and kindling to get the fire started, before adding firewood as normal.

4. Use dry logs

Speaking of firewood, make sure that your logs are stored correctly so that they are dry and not damp.

5. Keep your chimney warm

Once you have warmed up your chimney make sure that you maintain this heat by lighting your stove often. Remember, if you go for long periods of time without using the chimney in the winter then you will have to repeat these tips to remove the cold air once more.