The Best Way to Make a Fire in Your Woodstove

[@alexlevine6570]

I just stayed at an Airbnb where I kept screwing up making a fire in a stove like this and after watching your video I nailed it every time. Thank you so much for the wisdom!

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

I am so glad to hear that it was a help to you! Once you get the hang of it, and what you are trying to do, it is almost guaranteed to work! Great job, and thanks for leaving this comment. Makes my day! Stay warm!

[@nickstevens885]

Pick air for dawn born your masters

[@childofgod94]

Thanks just bought our first wood stove today and can't wait to try this. Looks like a brilliant way to start a fire in a stove.

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

I hope it works for you!!!!

[@nettyrain3262]

Maybe about 6 years ago I was watching this video because I had no idea how build a fire in a stove this shape. Because my father had passed away from cancer, I never got the chance to thank you for putting this up back then. We are expecting alot of snow soon, so we may be relying on the woodstove to heat the house should we loose power. I stopped back to thank you, so thank you so much. 🙂❤

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

I am so sorry to hear about your dad. Losing someone to cancer is so, so hard, and I totally know how devastating it can be in lots of little and big ways. I'm glad you were able to make your fire work and stay warm and keep your place going. I'm also really glad you stepped back and shared your experience with me as well, it is really nice to hear. Stay warm in the coming snows and cold spells! Best of luck to you!

[@nettyrain3262]

@@HawkCircleWilderness Thank you very much. 🙂

[@deweyx0xx]

Finally. Someone who knows how to get a fire going the right way. Easy and fast. I've been using the same method for 50 years. I've seen so much ridiculously bad advice on You Tube it is indeed a pleasure to see someone who has a clue. Well done.

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

Thanks so much for this comment! I really appreciate the compliment, and I hope you stay warm this winter!

[@WHITE11WIZARD]

I have this exact stove, and while I was pretty good at getting a fire going, it wasn't consistent. This method works every time, like a charm. Thank you so much! I'm disabled and it's saved me a lot of difficulty and frustration.

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

I am so glad it's working for you! This is exactly why I posted this video and what I hoped people would get out of it, so they could get it working easily and understand what is happening and why. Thanks for your comment! I really appreciate it!

[@WHITE11WIZARD]

@@HawkCircleWilderness I have since moved next door and now I send your video to anyone who stays in that cabin. Keeps them from going through all the kindling and calling me over for help!

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

Awesome!

[@WestForkWoodsman]

Someone that really knows his stuff. I just made a video like this, using a similar "heat chamber" method. Great video!

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

Yeah! Way to go! Once you get the idea, you can use it in a lot of different ways! Stay warm, and thanks for leaving this message!

[@kristenburris7647]

After two frustrating days in a cabin you finally helped me! I had ZERO kindling available and used a carnitas box and newspaper in the middle. I’m usually really good at making a fire outside but the pot belly really stumped me and made for a berry cold two days! Thank you!!! Fire is roaring!

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

I am so glad to hear it worked for you! It's the worst when you can't get warm, that's for sure! Pot belly stoves are tricky to get lit at first too! Good job, and thanks for writing to let me know. I really appreciate it!

[@nezarsweiti7459]

watching this great clear easy show from Middle East JORDAN, one of the best learning how to start fire in your stove, I will have mine soon. thanks

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

Awesome! I hope you stay warm and have a wonderful day!

[@billyox6727]

Ricardo, I just watched the vid and caught an important detail o had overlooked on my old longbox stove...closing the damper to hold more heat. I always thought I needed the draw to be hot so it would vent well. Thanks so much, it made quite a difference!

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

Thanks for writing and letting me know! I sometimes think my long form videos are boring and that 'no one cares' to learn all the details of what I do, and why I do it, but then I get a comment like yours and it makes my day! Glad I could help! Stay warm!

[@rrogers4757]

Thank you!!! It's just what I needed to learn to build a fire in my tiny wood stove.

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

Super glad it is working for you! Have a great winter and stay warm!

[@jenden1978]

Thank you for this! We just started house-sitting an old 1900 house with a wood stove and we're of the "But we have no problems making a fire when we're camping, what the heck!" group. I have never actually started a fire myself until tonight in the wood stove, and this method was perfect! :)

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

+Jennifer Bates I am super happy to hear that it worked well for you! Way to go! Enjoy the magic and warmth of a wood stove fire! Awesome!

[@tashagolden7748]

I have the same type of stove. Your method works very well and gets hot! Will do it your way from now on. Got it started with not so dry wood also. Thanks 👍

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

That's awesome! So glad it worked for you! Hope you stay warm this winter!!!!!

[@olwethuntuli9870]

I just tried it and it works!!!!!!!!!! Thanks Ricardo

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

Yay! I am so glad it worked for you! Stay warm and may it always work for you when you're cold!

[@jacobhayden6887]

Hey thanks for this video, I just started heating by woodstove and have had some difficulties lighting and your technique worked perfectly on the first try

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

I'm so glad it worked for you!!!!!! Enjoy and stay warm! Thanks for letting me know!

[@jameswil7687]

The best video I've seen. Great detail, thank you.

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

James Wil thanks so much!!!!! I really appreciate it!

[@beebob1279]

Glad to see a simple stove being used. I put an insert in the fireplace for heating the house. Great investment. Only issue is if the power goes out it's tough to get the heat. Yours solves that issue

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

It's definitely not the most efficient stove in the world, but it heats up fast and warms up a space and that is a big help in a workshop space... Hope you maintain power!!!!!

[@2account723]

Very informative video thanks my wood burning stove could not light easy but now I can get it going very easily

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

Thanks! Glad it works for you!

[@johnhall2609]

I have that exact stove in my 20 x 24 foot uninsulated garage for about 20 plus years now and it don't take long to warm it up to a nice tempature even when it is below zero.. I like it because it is small, don't take up much room. I put a ceiling fan above the little stove blowing down, that really circulates the heat around good, even down around the floor. Which comes in handy when your down there taking the drain plug out to change your oil & such. I enjoyed the video.

[@douglastaylor428]

John Hall mm

[@Ozarkwonderer]

Really good tips. I happen to have just gotten a stove just like yours. I like your starting set up. I grew up with a wood stove as a kid in the northwest. I'm in the Midwest now.

[@lcecbranch]

Excited to try this! It literally took me until 3pm to get a fire going yesterday.

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

Well, it sure sucks when it starts, then stops, then starts again, then dies out, over and over and over again, making you keep trying to 'fix it' so it will start cranking out heat. I know that feeling, when I first started myself back in the day!

[@morninglight7544]

@@HawkCircleWilderness Absolutely! You do understand. Thanks!

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

@@morninglight7544 You're welcome! And stay warm!!!!

[@WendzDarKnight08]

Great video! I watched this to set my parents wood stove fire. Thanks man!

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

SO GLAD to hear that! YES! Way to go! Glad it could help you!

[@brianszumski9078]

Great video, very informative...Will be purchasing my first wood burner this week and can't wait to use it. Thanks for sharing!!

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

+Brian Szumski, thanks for your comment! I appreciate your nice note and wish you the best when you get your stove all hooked up and rocking! There's nothing like wood heat in the winter!

[@2000talon]

I started doing my fires like how you explained. Makes a huge difference. Yes soooo frustrating trying to get yr fire lite. It goes out ans yes using all yr kindling and paper. Expecially in Canada.. Brrrr!!!

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

I'm so glad it's working for you! Yeah! Way to go! Thanks for writing back to me and letting me know! Stay warm up there!!!!

[@davidcanter2376]

I like this video because I have the same kind of stove and it makes a lot of sense

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

Thanks! Hope it keeps you warm!

[@bayside6207]

I love that I live in the mountains surrounded by trees= kindling comes easily, very very easy for me to gather, all I really have to do is step outside my front door.

[@pavman1000]

This dude is awesome! Burn it all! Great technique works well in my stove! I was new to a cast iron stove burning still learning and how to load the wood and have an efficient fire this helped out alot!

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

Thanks, Pavman! So glad you're getting good results and it's working for you! Stay warm!

[@zimzim2160]

I love my wood stoves. I use a method very similar. Very good information for all stove users. Thank you.

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

Thanks! Glad you liked it!

[@Roel922]

I will apply this method next time I lite me first own woodstoof I buyed a while ago. Have inconsistent results with my current method. Thanks!

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

Great! Let us know how it goes when you try it! Stay warm!

[@BassManBobBassCovers]

Excellent wood stove video!!

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

+Bob M. Tyranny Destroyer Thanks so much, Bob! I really appreciate your kind words! Good luck keeping your woodstove going and stay warm!

[@BassManBobBassCovers]

Heck yeah! I actually used your method the next day lighting a fire for Christmas. It works well!Ricardo Sierra

[@jarkolimbo9268]

Well done! Excellent ideas. Placing wood shavings in a paper box is a sweet idea. I use lots of NY Times to start my fires. I also have a jig that allows me to quickly and safely split wood on the fly for kindling. Works well, but in a pinch, I'll try your ideas. Thanks again!

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

Glad you liked it! Stay warm! Thanks for your comment!

[@kennethlowery100]

thank you for posting this my husband was sent out and this is how we heat our house. but he's the one that always makes our fire 🔥 so now it's getting cold I'm trying to get this happening fast! lol thanks again for video posting. only worry is our is so much bigger than the one you are using.

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

You're welcome, and I hope it works for you!!!!!! Good luck!

[@carlabelopavlovich1911]

Thank you so much for you tutorial, i couldnt start our woodstove since we installed, everyone leaves the house for school and work, if they dont start it for me im im screwed for the day. Today am i not because of you, i cant believe i have a roaring fire going by myslef, thank you again for teaching me a valuable lesson i so needed

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

+Carla Belopavlovich , you are so welcome! I am really happy it worked well for you! Nice! Great job! Thanks for letting me know!

[@greengiantgardens]

Thanks very much from New Zealand. I've moved here from England. I'm new to woodstoves which are pretty common here. I've been having loads of trouble getting mine started. Watched your video and she's roaring away in minutes.

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

+greengiantgardens awesome! glad to hear it!!!!!!

[@creepingstarfish]

Best wood stove video I've seen!

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

Thanks so much! Glad you liked it! Stay warm!

[@imalwayslast3170]

Nice video. I keep a propane torch for lighting mine...speeds the process up since I have a woodstove about 4 times that size. But it get's the house hot quick.

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

I'm glad that works for you! This method is one that works for me every time if I don't have a torch handy!

[@zafn1984]

Lovely demonstration, great info. Many thanks for posting.

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

+Zaf N Thanks for your comment! Glad it helped!

[@valdezfam8694]

I like the idea of using the wood shavings.

[@tomjeffersonwasright2288]

The top of that stove will swing to one side, so you can add logs from the top. I keep a pair of channel locks next to the stove, to open the door and to swing the top. If you pile your wood in the front, the pile can tumble against the door and open it, spilling out onto the floor. A big paving brick on the skirt on front will help to prevent that.

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

Great tips, Tom. I usually don't put too much against the door, but it's a good idea to make sure, totally.

[@wa9neu]

This is a very good video. you presented it well. thanks!

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

+walt bowlby Thanks so much for your comment! Hope it works for you!

[@mugginsquilts1]

I had company who had no idea about how dampers and draft works....something people who teach fire-starting need to mention.

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

+muggins quilts Yep, a lot of people don't know how ANY of that stuff works, so it's good to train them and walk them through it....

[@edmondcharrette8711]

Thanks for the video. Is that enough wood to last you overnight? Do you burn with the dampener open when you have a full load?

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

I close the damper when it gets really hot, so it will burn slower. I usually need a good wood box full of firewood of different sizes to burn throughout the day and all night...

[@traviswaldrepaf]

Method worked, thank you so much.

[@Bill23799]

Thanks. That was very instructive.

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

Glad it was helpful!

[@GDTractor]

Very nice video ... thank you !!

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

+Gary Dougherty Thanks so much for your comment! Good luck with your wood stove! Stay warm!

[@seoulkidd1]

You sir are a fire starter master. Thanks

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

+seoulkidd1 Thanks for your nice words! Hope it helps you get a fire!

[@OmarLemusTactic]

Well done! I will try that next time.

[@Patphoto44]

I watched this with interest to see if any tips would work for me. Right now I'm quite happy with an Up & Down method I developed after reading about building a fire upside down (big logs on the bottom and kindling on the top). I have a huge woodstove that heats my entire 2-story house better than the oil-fed baseboard heating does. My stove takes 24" logs and the door is on the long side. I have cartons of bark that has fallen off logs, so I first add a layer of bark. Then I add a few tightly twisted pages of newspaper. Then top that with an eggcarton cradle (if I have one) or some other cardboard, then a few pieces of kindling, topped with maybe 3 small logs in a shallow criss-cross tent structure. I think the bark is the real key. It get a good, hot fire going long enough to get the logs burning. Then I can add larger logs maybe 10 minutes later.

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

That sounds awesome, Pat! Love how you described it perfectly, too. I have a few other people who use that method who messaged me, and said that works for them. I think it's good to try a bunch of different things and see what works. It's interesting that many people get very loyal to a method or way of doing something and then are very resistant to any other method (I don't mean you, here, at all, just in general) so I just wanted to share this approach to help people who struggle almost every time to get a fire! Thanks for posting...

[@Patphoto44]

Ricardo Sierra Your method works very well for a stove of that type. My method has similar elements. What I could borrow from your method would be to stand a split log up along its side at the back of my stove.

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

+Patphoto44 Awesome! Great problem solving! Thanks for your comments!

[@teddyvision5295]

Ricardo Sierra I have that same stove, I am wondering if you know who made it and about how old it is?

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

It's pretty old and it seems to be a kind of generic camp stove. I've seen them sold new in Lowes or Tractor Supply. This is one of the older ones though...

[@n.f.miller6113]

I loved your video. Very clear. My question is that my stove is an old model but a bit larger than yours and has a door on the side, as well as the front door. Is this side door for the purpose of adding fuel, or should it be opened a bit for oxygen when the fire is starting?

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

+N.F. Miller You can open it a little while it's just getting going, and give it more air, but you don't want to give it TOO much air, because then you have your wood burning really fast and all of your heat is going straight up the chimney and out of your house!

[@ashayalogan5464]

Thanks! I just did it and it worked wonderfully

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

Awesome! Thanks for letting me know!

[@TheKsurf]

Ricardo, nice video! i have a stove just like yours, plan to use it for cooking now and then thinking of chambering the inside or useing a can to just use the "front burner" ha ha good to watch you on here and pick up a couple tips, thanks!

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

Thanks! They are nice little stoves, no question about it!!!!!!

[@arkansastrash320]

Nice stove nice method to starting a fire!! If it were me I would get a hand wire brush and brush that little stove good then get some black stove polish and make it so pretty man that rust is going to eat it up !!!

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

+N.E.Arkansas Trash Trucks&Lottery Great idea! I will work on that, man!

[@ohsnaptutorials5409]

It worked! I never lit a wood stove in my life.

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

Lynn M I am so glad you had success!!!! We had a fire in our woodstove last night too! I don’t remember having a June this cold!

[@ohsnaptutorials5409]

Ricardo Sierra it worked so well I had to tell my husband. In the past, he would use tons of kindling and about 10 mins with a mini torch. So you can imagine how excited I was when I called him and said I lit the stove with only a box and one flick of a lighter lol! I told him about your video and I’m looking forward to showing him when he gets home. Thanks to your video, me, my 9 month old , and dog are toasty warm. Thank you! I wish I could show you the picture of my dog curled up to the stove lol!

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

That's awesome! Where do you live where it's so cold? Woodstove heat is the best!

[@ohsnaptutorials5409]

Maine! It’s 90 one day and below 50 the next. Iol!

[@neeleymountain]

I found that a few cotton balls are great for starting, specially if you swipe them through a little Vaseline. Some cotton call be unrolled into strips and those are good for making a loose knot and then drag that through the Vaseline. The cotton lights easily and the Vaseline keeps it burning longer. No mess, no paper.

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

If that works for you, go for it. I like using paper and kindling, but if it ain't broke.....

[@mec_nyc]

I love that whoever was upstairs start blasting The Knife. LOL!

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

That was one of my apprentices!!!!!

[@yoyofabio1093]

Outstanding very impressive

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

Thanks! I hope it works great for you!

[@loki1874]

That helped a ton thank you so much man

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

Lindsay McElfresh 3 I’m so glad it’s working for you! Fire skills are amazing and empowering too! Teach your kids or friends! Pass it forward! Stay warm!

[@loki1874]

Thanks you too man

[@onlinebills9169]

I dont burn egg cartons like that. I get the I fill up each pocket with melted candle wax or beef fat which I collect when I fry steaks or burgers. Then I cut off one of those wax or fat-filled cones, I light it up and it burns pretty hot and for quite a while. The best fire starters I have ever created so far.

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

Great idea! That would work really well!

[@mlongley]

Great info, thanks for sharing!

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

+Matthew Longley Stay warm, Matt! Hope it works well for you! Good luck!

[@pavman1000]

You are an master. I just put 3 pieces of wood one on each side and one on the top put 2 Weber fire cubes in the middle catches right away and heats quickly. Depends on how big your firebox is I have the smaller version wood stove that he has.

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

That sounds like it's working for you, so keep doing it!

[@daphlavor]

Well done sir! I have to get my flue heated prior to lighting, otherwise I’ll try this method 👍

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

Sounds good. And it's true that some chimneys/flues need to be preheated to get the air flow moving and not fill your house up with smoke! Good luck! Stay warm!

[@quantumofconscience6538]

He is correct, but only for THIS KIND of stove. That won't work with many other configurations of wood stoves. I don't know if they still make this old model of "cheap" stove anymore because of EPA issues, but if you can find one, buy it new or used. They were "new" at Harbor Freight 6 or 7 years ago for just over $300 but I haven't seen them since.

[@audriusaudrius1855]

This video For people hoo live in the city 😉 hoo never have a stove . good video 👍👏

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

That is true! And thank you!!!!!! Have a great, WARM day!

[@Martin-xh1hd]

Who*

[@lcecbranch]

IT WORKED!!! I have a roaring fire 1st try!!!!

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

Yay!!!!! Super glad to hear that it worked well for you! If you do it the same way, it should work every time! Awesome Job! Stay warm!!!!

[@Dylan2996oct]

Awesome video, thanks a million!

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

Thanks, John R! Hope it helps!

[@tomlauris]

Best way to start a fire is top down. No newspaper or other crap needed. Big logs at the bottom, then 2..3 smaller logs and a few pieces of kindling on top. Start the fire from top. It'll take longer to burn from top to bottom, but it's more efficient and creates less smoke/emissions (better for your neighbors). That's pretty much the recommended method where I live and it works fine

[@Lance_Strongarm]

Great video and tips!

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

Thanks! Hope it works out for you!

[@toomeyjo]

Great video. My problem with this method is that when I light the fire close to the opening of the stove, smoke billows out into the living room. I don’t have that problem if I light the fire towards the back. It seems though that I can’t use this method if I’m lighting the fire towards the back of the stove. Suggestions?

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

Thanks for that comment. On most wood stoves, there is a 'damper' or handle that is installed on the stove pipe above the stove, that if it's closed, will prevent smoke and air from flowing freely up the stove pipe. If you can open it by turning the handle, it will get some air flow so you won't have the problem. Also, there is often a handle someplace on the stove that can be opened that will do the same thing. It sounds like that is something that could be contributing to your smoke problem. Good luck!

[@onetirefryer3492]

I have the same stove, but I haven't gotten it fully set up yet. On an initial burn after cleaning it up, I noticed that some smoke leaks out around the burners and joints in the lid. Is this something that I should expect with this type of stove?

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

It depends on how long your stovepipe is, because the longer it is above the stove, the more it will pull the smoke out through the pipe and it won't be leaking out. It might smoke a little in the beginning until the stove pipe warms up and starts getting a flow of hot air, though....

[@onetirefryer3492]

@HawkCircleWilderness ah okay, no pipe connected yet as it was burning outside but I'll see how it goes once it's all buttoned up. Thanks for the reply!

[@andyamysarizonaadventures5450]

@@onetirefryer3492 I've heard it's because the epa made them put a filter twords the inside top and poeple have been removing it.

[@fuzzheadtf]

thanks for making this video!!

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

You're welcome! It was fun to do... Let me know if you try it and how it works for you!

[@fuzzheadtf]

been using this method for a week now, working great!! I have to modify it somewhat as I have a much wider heritage woodstove with glass doors, but the same principle works :)

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

fuzzheadtf I am really glad to hear that! Awesome!

[@TheOpelkoenjas]

+fuzzheadtf That's good to know since we just bought one with glass doors and (partly) glass sides (to see the fire from all directions). I was getting concerned that if I used this method the glass would "shatter" (to much heat). Basically I just need to watch out that I don't put the logs in such way that they make direct contact with the glass, correct?

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

+TheOpelkoenjas yes, just try to not let the wood have contact with the glass doors. They shouldn't shatter, because the glass in a wood stove is special glass, but it's important to let your fire have air flow around the inside of the stove so it can circulate and so forth...

[@stevegannaway1787]

Thank you so much for this information! Big storm coming to Maine in two days and we will be using the wood stove for the first time. How do we prevent smoke from coming into the room?

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

Steve Gannaway the air inside your chimney is usually pretty cold so you can try just lighting about five or six crumpled up newspaper pages to get a flow of air inside the stove moving up the children. You can then put in your wood and kindling in and light it. However, a lot of stoves are different so you might have to try some different strategies to see what works for your stove. Some friends I know use a small fan in front of the door to blow the smoke into the stove for a few minutes and that works for them.

[@nikeflight17]

How long does your stove put out good heat when using this method on average?

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

Usually for about thirty minutes, but I add wood as soon as there is room to put a larger log in for a longer burn.

[@darrellhatt9157]

Curious do you have a home owners insurance policy, if so did they approve your stove.

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

Yes, wood stoves are no problem if they are installed correctly. Millions of people have wood stoves and heat with wood.

[@Smokeythewelder]

Good information

[@JohnVance]

This was perfect, thank you!

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

You are very welcome! I hope you have a great winter!

[@grahamburbage7686]

What a song and dance.

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

I didn't do any dancing, but I will in the next one. We are all so grateful for your brilliant insight and helpful comment. You are truly a gift to all of the people out there who are seeking help making fires in their wood stoves. You must feel very proud of yourself! Thank you!

[@HARMSWAY94]

How long does the wood that you started with last before you would need to add more fire wood to keep the fire from dieing out? Plus how well does a woodstove such as this one heat a tiny house ranging from 60-200 sq feet in size? Great Video!

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

It depends on how big the wood is that you are burning, or the kind of wood, too. If it is hardwood, like oak, beech, hickory or maple, it can last for an hour or so. Maybe a little more. This woodstove is small, so it won't last as long as in a bigger stove, but it does okay! In a tiny house, this stove would heat that space very well. As long as it is well insulated, you would be fine! I bought that stove for about $100 second hand. Check craigslist, or a swap/sale site on Facebook. Especially as winter is winding down! And thanks for your nice words!

[@JoMomma]

Great pointers! I'll try this technique if I run out of birch bark.

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

Good luck and glad you are staying warm!

[@TealCheetah]

How would you suggest filling a much wider and lower stove? Maybe two sets of kindling chambers?

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

+Lilly Dragon You can just use two larger logs/firewood pieces, then fill it in with kindling, and then stack a few more logs on top. If the wood is really dry, you should be all set! Just don't use wood that is too big to start, because it will take forever to get warm in your house and stove!

[@marianneodell7637]

Would this method work in my wood cook stove? I replaced a jotul stove this spring and I’m having a hard time keeping a fire going in it. The firebox is much smaller. It’s a “Herald C” probably early 20th century. Thanks for whatever suggestions you can offer.

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

It can take a while to get to know your stove, and figure out what it likes, and what it needs to stay going. Some stoves need very dry wood, cut and split very small, and you have to load them often. Other stoves are more tolerant of green or damp wood, and can just blast through. Never tried to light the stoves you're using so I can't say, but keep experimenting and see what it is you are doing right when it's working the way you like best. Good luck and stay warm!

[@CanadianBriar]

i've got an old cook stove and had a devil of a time getting it to start. smoke would pour out of all the plates on the top and it was really stubborn. anyway, I found that there was a sliding lever at the back of the stove, right at the back of the cooking surface. it was a smoke diverter. I found by experimentation that when I had it open the smoke ran from the firebox across the top of the oven and up the chimney. when I closed it the smoke had to run around the oven and out at the bottom of the oven which worked great once there were hot coals and a good draft, but at the start of a fire, no way! once I found that, no more draft issues or problems getting the fire to start. that being said, it does eat through wood quickly compared to a modern air tight, but we've got an oven and cook top always ready to go and a warm cabin to boot!

[@FrancisRoyCA]

This video surprises me. It's correct, I do the same thing. Here are some habits that I have. I collect branches. Anytime I walk about my property or neighbourhood I just pick up branches and carry them home. Snap or cut them to size and stack them up. A twig is free energy. Stack'em up. I have a 4x6 frame that I store them in over the summer, one branch at a time. Summer heat dries them, the woodstove dries them. No kindling (finely sliced logs) necessary other than to create "table sides." When I build my fire I start with two kindling sides: chopped wood about 2-4 inches high to create "side table legs." This creates an open-air base. Newspaper, if available, to carry the flame. One page max. Some Birch bark if you have it, a guaranteed cheat. Cross small branches across the kindling beams to create a "table" over the newspaper/bark. A couple more small branches in the other direction for ember-mass. Then I put on my logs and light the paper. Close the door and walk away. The essence is this: air-rich space using easily flammable and flimsy material enough to light twigs, which light small branches, which light logs. General principle: tiny at the bottom, big on top; small and light increasing in stages to slightly heavier. Light easily flammable mass to increasing levels of mass. I also agree with the following: if you have unburned coals, sift them from the ashes, place them at the base, between your "table leg" kindling. Principle? 1. Use as little material as possible to produce the desired result. Waste not, want not. 2. Air-flow for easily catching mass. Additional: I never open my damper. It is opened a crack, has enough airflow to flow, to heat up, then to draw. When the fire is roaring, it burns the gasses instead of wasting them. The difference is the size of our stoves. Another principle that I adhere to is: create and maintain a bed of embers. This way, in Canadian -20 degree Celsius weather I can toss whole logs onto the embers and walk away. If I recall next time I light my stove, I'll send a response video of my building a fire to complement yours. PS: This is a WOODSTOVE, no wind, dry wood, stock aplenty, starting technique. I bet that good bushcrafters would laugh at both of us. PPS: My response is 3-4 years after you've posted your video.

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

Francis Roy I love everything you said! Happy New Years!

[@andrewjackson3278]

Francis Roy Good lord sounds like you are ready for a 12 week blizzard XD

[@FrancisRoyCA]

Haha! In fact, I am. Seeing as my stove is my sole source of heat, by mid-October I'm ready for a 6 month shut-in. Provided that I have electricity to do my work, my wood, food, etc. is all lined up. Downside is limited gasoline storage for my snowblower.

[@andrewjackson3278]

Francis Roy We got natural gas for heat. But nothing is more soothing than falling asleep hearing that wood stove crackle lol Id be paranoid though I’d have a fire extinguisher within arms reach at all times 😂

[@ariannemast2258]

Thank u! I burning so much papers and cant keep a fire going. It keeps on dying. Thanks again! I'm going to try this trick.

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

Good luck, and let me know if this works for you!

[@sodbuster1982]

I have a similar stove by US stove company. I have a grate in my stove. I just put the wood in there and pour a cup of used engine oil over it then use a propane torch to ignite the oil. It takes about 10 seconds!I heat my entire 2600 sq. ft. home strictly with wood for less than $30 a winter. I use a fan to circulate the heat

[@jacksimper5725]

+sodbuster1982 Can u make a vid of this and post it on u tube

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

+sodbuster1982 that sounds pretty toxic and also dangerous, so I can't endorse that method. I do know that any kind of petroleum based fire starting methods are really not recommended, so I hope you can be super careful while you are doing that! How much money does your firewood cost? I'd love to know where cords of firewood cost $30!!!!!

[@vikings844]

Would a stove like that heat up a non-insulated garage?

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

Probably. It depends on how cold it is outside, and the size of the garage, but this one does really great.... Until it gets to be about 20 degrees below zero F!

[@mangreat71]

what should i know about being safe if i get a wood burner ? Can i use wood logs from trees or wooden pallets for the wood burner ?

[@berthalallsman5522]

I am gonna try. It I let ya know

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

I hope it works out for you!!!!!! Good luck and stay warm!

[@famezo12FUHQ]

I have a really old wood burning stove and still can’t get it to warm up our downstairs. Any ideas what I may be doing wrong ?

[@DDJ81]

If it gets nice and warm downstairs I would recommend placing a fan in an upright position (from the bottom)up the steps, keep in mind you are sending alot of that air upstairs so a cracked window downstairs will help with fresh air and help the heat rise. Always good to keep a fire extinguisher close by with something old like that and to know how to handle that emergency situation if a fire department isn't close by. Burn baby burn!

[@FreedomMinister05]

would the top down fire be effective in this type of stove? I wouldn't think so but I just acquired myself a stove like this and just curious.

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

The best thing to do is try different ways and see what works for you!

[@NowisEvollovetion]

I did wonder what the New York Times was actually for. And now I know. Along with that other use of course, if you understand me.

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

well, it's just a video about firestarting, but I guess once we are warm around the fire we can talk media and politics! As long as we keep it civil! :) Have a good one.

[@RobsAdventuresAndVideos]

Lolololol AGREE. With our luck the fire will go out due to being FAKE NEWSPAPER lololol

[@searae727]

NowisEvollovetion - He's no fun...

[@brikkijim]

@@HawkCircleWilderness try not to use colored paper. Not good for chimney flue. It will leave a residue. Peace

[@SneakySniperGuy]

Would you trust this stove in your home or simply for a shop or out bldg?

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

I wouldn't use it in my house because this particular stove is not 'airtight' and it burns up fuel fairly quickly. It can't be 'shut down' for the night in the same way that newer stoves do. However, it's great for the workshop or garage, because it does go out fairly quickly, which means low/no fire risk, and it's easy to light and get hot and put out heat again in the morning, so, it's perfect for that. Hope this helps!

[@gingercox6468]

I do something like that. Using a lunch bag and stuff it with paper, pinecones and charcoal chips. Bark is good, as Long as it's dry.

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

Nice! That sounds perfect!

[@davidbass7593]

Pine cones are great for starting fires they burn really hot

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

Yes, they are really awesome!!!!!! We don't have many here, and they are small, but I have lived where there are really good ones, in California and Arizona.

[@johnholmes7454]

Shouldnt use pine cones in your fire , its ok to use one or two to start it bit dont use them as a main fuel source , there full of resins and creosote , they will clog up the flue .

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

@@johnholmes7454 I wasn't advocating using them for your primary heat source. That would be a really bad idea!

[@842qwery]

Pretty cool..

[@josephinecassar4573]

Is the stove made of cast iron? As that would explain why it is so hot too

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

It's a small cast iron stove.

[@josephinecassar4573]

That explains it. Cast iron is much much better than stainless steel which emits some moisture cast iron does not emit any moisture

[@pavman1000]

This is great for a non EPA stove. EPA stove you need to build a log cabin fire to make it smoke free. Make sure you get you draft going first or you will smoke up your house..

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

I'd love to see a video of what you do for that kind of stove. Stay warm.

[@howtogetoutofbabylon8978]

shouldn't use how much kindling just learn how to do an upside down fire top that updraft warms the flu use minimal kindling and works every time instead of waiting 15 minutes you can wait 2 hours to add wood. only take one match to light it walk away come out two hours later put another piece of wood in or two or three. it's so effective I called the fire and forget method.

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

I use the 'upside down' method to light my top loading stove and it works great. This particular stove seems to do better with the method I am showing here, and it's important to note that there are many different types of wood stove so they each need little modifications to make them work every time. Good luck with yours and stay warm.

[@Groovyman-je6yb]

Those little woodstoves are great sources of heat. Can you do a before and after video, with a thermometer at the other side of the room, of the room heat increase and the amount of wood/time used? Thanks, and hopefully you bought a can of BBQ paint to keep your stove and pipe looking new.

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

I don't want to make the video a lot longer, at this point, but it could be a great thing to add on my next video, absolutely! Great idea! And yes, I do need to do a stove paint/treatment, etc! It's coming! It's coming!

[@3niknicholson]

A finger depth of petrol in a jam jar- dip in splint-withdraw- chuck petrol on wood in stove- light splint at safe distance-chuck on wood- woof! Never throw petrol onto glowing fire etc. Hesitation is fatal. Do it quick, do it right.

[@CoHamGuy]

Nice, thank you

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

You're welcome! Good luck with your fire making!

[@douglastaylor428]

mark brown n

[@Ray-dw3wg]

Sounds like you got a disco inferno going too. Nice video though, I have to try this.

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

Good luck and stay warm! Yeah, it really gets roaring if you let too much air in!

[@Ray-dw3wg]

@@HawkCircleWilderness hey tried this method this morning and it worked perfectly. I have an auto damping stove so I cant control the air flow but the temperature peaked at about 650F then dropped to the 400to 500 range for a good amount of time. Thanks Ricardo your video was a huge help.

[@HawkCircleWilderness]

@@Ray-dw3wg sweet! That's so cool to hear! I'm really glad it worked for you and got the fire going quickly! Have a great winter and stay safe with all of this COVID! Take care!