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November 21, 2008
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Wood Stoves
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MSU Extension
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What's in this article
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 Introduction
Wall Protection
Floor Protection
Stove Pipe
Additional Precautions
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 Return to the Knowledge Base
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Additional Precautions
1. Chimney and chimney connectors require regular
inspection and cleaning to remain reasonably safe.
Chimney fires are a common problem. There are several
factors that can cause a chimney fire.
2. Furniture, wood, newspapers, matches, etc., can ignite
if placed or left too close to a stove. These materials
must be kept at least 36 inches away from the stove.
3. Stove surfaces can become as hot as 800 degrees F. At
this temperature, combustible material can ignite and
plastic material will melt. Be careful when drying
clothing, making sure that nothing is dangling too near.
Also, remove any slipping or tripping hazards near the
stove to reduce the risk of falling against it and
perhaps suffering a severe burn. Small children must be
taught to stay away from the stove. You should erect some
kind of barricade around the stove if you have crawling
tots who are too young to be verbally warned.
4. Never use kerosene or charcoal lighter fluids to
start a fire. Also, do not burn trash in your stove.
These materials lead to hot uncontrollable fires and may
cause a chimney fire.
5. Keep the fire controlled with the dampers. Do not
let it get roaring hot. A fire properly controlled is
safer and more efficient.
6. If you want to keep your fire alive all night or
when you are away from the house, bank the fire with
ashes or damper it way down. Do not retire or leave home
with a roaring fire going in the stove.
7. Place ashes in a lidded metal container. Because
they might be hot, clean up any ashes or cinders that
spill out on the floor.
8. Wear gloves when handling rough or splintery chunks
of wood. If they are heavy, take care not to strain
yourself or drop them on your foot.
9. You can burn wood in a coal stove, but you shouldn't
burn coal in a wood stove unless it is lined and
designed for it. When you add coal to an approved stove,
keep the stove pipe damper open until the fuel is burning
well to avoid a potentially explosive buildup of gases
from the coal. Heavily laden coal buckets can also cause
strains and other mishaps if they are not handled
properly.
10. Take down the stove pipe at least once or twice
during the heating season and clean out the soot.
Removing the accumulated soot saves fuel, increases heat
and minimizes the danger of fire.
11. If you have yet to equip your house with fire
warning devices, be sure to do so when you install a
stove. Install a smoke detector in an adjacent room to
avoid false alarms when you recharge the stove or from
backpuffing due to wind.
12. Before opening the fire box to add fuel or just to
look at the fire, always open the stove pipe damper
first. This allows gases to escape up the chimney and
eliminates the possibility of "flare up" when air
suddenly comes in through the door.
13. With today's tightly-constructed houses, there may
not be sufficient air leakage for efficient stove
operation. By providing an outside air inlet, you prevent
the possibility of a reverse draft which may suck carbon
monoxide fumes from combustion-type (natural gas, etc.)
appliances and discharge them into the living area.
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Copyright ©2008 by Renovators, a TB Systems company. All rights reserved. Privacy policy.
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