How to light a wood stove: build a top-down fire by placing two or three split logs at the bottom, kindling and a firelighter on top, then light it from above with the air control fully open. Use wood with a moisture content below 20%. The fire burns hot, makes little smoke and needs no rebuilding, and this guide explains each step.

Why use the top-down method?

In a traditional fire you stack kindling at the bottom and place logs on top of it. The fire starts small and has to burn upward through cold fuel, which produces smoke while the stove is still cold. You also have to open the door repeatedly to add more wood.

In a top-down fire, the largest pieces go at the bottom and the smallest on top. The flames burn downward slowly and ignite each layer from above. The gases released by the logs pass through the flames, so more of them burn instead of leaving through the chimney as smoke. The fire lights faster, burns cleaner and settles into a steady burn without attention.

What do you need before you start?

Prepare everything before you open the stove door. A fire that starts well is easier to keep going than one you have to fix.

Dry logs. Split logs about 25 to 30 cm long, with a moisture content below 20%.
Kindling. Dry softwood sticks about 1 to 2 cm thick, or thin split pieces. About 10 to 15 sticks is enough.
Firelighters. Natural wood wool or wax firelighters. Avoid petrol, paraffin or any liquid accelerant.
Matches or a long lighter.
Heat-resistant gloves and a poker.
A carbon monoxide alarm in the same room as the stove.

How dry should the wood be?

Wood burns best at a moisture content of less than 20 per cent. The US EPA Burn Wise guidance on wood burning gives the same figure and recommends seasoning wood for at least six months. A moisture meter, which costs around 15 to 30 EUR, is the only reliable way to check.

Wet wood is the main reason a stove fails to light or produces smoke. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services also states that wood is only ready to burn at 20% or less. Energy goes into boiling off the water before the wood can burn, so the fire is cooler and deposits more creosote in the flue. Our dried firewood is listed below 18% moisture, which is ready to burn. If you season your own wood, our guide on how to store firewood the right way explains stacking and covering.

Step-by-step: how to light a wood stove with the top-down method

Step 1: Clean out the stove.

Remove most of the ash but leave a thin layer of about 2 cm on the base, because it insulates the fire. Check that the air inlets and the glass are clear.

Step 2: Open all the air controls.

Open the primary and secondary air vents fully. If your stove has a flue damper, open it. Without enough air, the fire starts slowly and smokes.

Step 3: Warm the flue if it is cold.

A cold flue, especially in an outside chimney, can hold the smoke back. Burn a rolled sheet of paper or a firelighter near the stove opening for a minute. This starts the draught and pulls the smoke upward.

Step 4: Lay the large logs.

Place two or three split logs on the base of the stove, side by side, with small gaps between them for air. Use the stove size as a guide. A small stove takes two logs; a larger one, three or four.

Step 5: Add a second layer.

Stack a second row of smaller logs across the first, at right angles. Leave space between them so air and flames can pass through.

Step 6: Add the kindling.

Place the kindling in a loose criss-cross pattern on top of the logs. It must not be packed tightly. Fire needs air between the sticks.

Step 7: Place the firelighters and light them.

Put one or two firelighters on top of the kindling and light them. Leave the door slightly open for the first one or two minutes, only if your stove manual allows it. This gives the fire extra air while the glass is cold.

Step 8: Close the door and watch.

When the kindling burns well, close the door. Keep the air open for the first 15 to 20 minutes until the logs are burning fully with a bright flame. The glass will be hot, and the flue gases will be warm enough to draw properly.

Step 9: Reduce the air

Once the logs are burning well and the stove is hot, close the air control gradually to the setting your manual recommends. Do not shut it completely. A visible bright flame with little smoke from the chimney means the fire is burning well.

How do you control the air?

Primary air enters under or through the fuel bed and feeds the early stages of a fire. Secondary air enters above the fire and burns the gases rising from the wood. Many modern stoves have a single control that sets both. Open air gives fast, hot burning, and closing it down slows the burn.

Do not close the air control to make the logs last longer while the stove is still warming up. A smothered fire produces smoke, black glass and creosote. Close it in small steps once the stove is at working temperature, and watch the flame. If it turns lazy and orange with smoke, open the air a little.

How do you add more logs?

Add logs when the fire has burnt down to a bed of glowing embers with only small flames. Open the air control for a minute, then open the door slowly to avoid pulling smoke into the room. Place one or two logs on the embers, close the door and leave the air open for a few minutes until the new logs ignite.

Do not overload the stove. Follow the maximum load per hour in your manual. Too much fuel makes the stove overheat, and an overfired stove can damage the firebricks, the glass and the flue.

How do you avoid smoke?

Properly installed, correctly used wood-burning appliances should produce very little smoke. The EPA advises that if you regularly see or smell smoke, you may have a problem. Check these causes in order:

Wet wood. Test with a moisture meter.
Not enough air. Open the air controls fully until the fire is established.
Cold flue. Warm it as in step 3.
Blocked chimney. Have it swept at least once a year, and more often if you burn it every day.
Opening the door too early. Wait until the fire burns strongly and the logs are alight.

Keep the stove door closed except when loading. An open door can release smoke and carbon monoxide into the room.

Which firewood is best for lighting a stove?

For the kindling, use softwood, such as pine or spruce, which lights quickly. For the main logs, dense hardwoods such as beech and hornbeam burn longer and hotter. Alder lights easily and suits mild weather. For a comparison of species, see our guide to oak, hornbeam, beech and kiln-dried logs.

Safety rules for every fire

Install a working carbon monoxide alarm and test it regularly. Add a smoke alarm too.
Never use petrol, paraffin, lighter fluid or similar liquids to start or revive a fire.
Do not burn painted, treated or pressure-treated wood, plastics, or household waste. They release harmful fumes and damage the stove.
Keep flammable items such as furniture, curtains and firewood at the distance stated in your manual.
Use a stove guard if children or pets are in the house.
Let ash cool in a metal container for at least 24 hours before disposal.
Have the chimney and flue checked and swept by a qualified person each year.

Common mistakes when lighting a wood stove

Using wet or unseasoned wood. It is the most common reason for smoke and a poor fire.
Closing the air too early. This chokes the fire and blackens the glass.
Using logs that are too big. Large logs do not light from kindling. Split them smaller to start.
Packing the kindling tightly. The fire cannot breathe.
Building a big fire on the first try. Start with a moderate load and learn how your stove behaves.
Using the wrong fire extinguishers. Choose natural wax or wood wool products and never liquid accelerants.

If you want ready-to-burn logs, see our dried firewood and the wider range of mixed firewood. We deliver across Europe.

Key takeaways

Use the top-down method: large logs at the bottom, kindling and a firelighter on top.
Burn wood with a moisture content below 20% and check it with a meter.
Keep the air control fully open until the fire is established, then reduce it gradually.
Add logs onto glowing embers, not onto a dying flame.
Fit a carbon monoxide alarm and sweep the chimney every year.
Never use liquid accelerants or burn treated wood.

FAQ

How long does it take to light a wood stove?

A top-down fire usually takes 10 to 20 minutes to settle into a steady burn. A cold stove with a cold flue can take longer.

Can I light a stove with firelighters only?

No. Firelighters burn for a few minutes and need kindling to ignite the logs. Use them together with dry sticks.

Why does my stove glass go black?

Black glass usually comes from wet wood, a low air setting or a stove that has not reached working temperature. Dry wood and a longer, hotter start usually fix it.

Should I leave the stove door open when lighting?

Some manuals allow the door to stay slightly open for a minute or two at the start. Check yours. After that, close it, because an open door lets smoke out and cools the fire.

Can I use briquettes instead of logs?

Yes, after the fire is established. Light the stove with kindling and a few small logs, then add briquettes onto the hot embers.

How to Light a Wood Stove: Top-Down Method, Step by Step