How to light a fire in a wood burning stove

How to light a fire in a wood burning stove?

How to light a fire in a wood burning stove is a question with a number of answers.

Traditionally, a stove user would use kindling and fire lighters to start and add logs thereafter.

The arrangement of kindling and the position of the firelighter can be crucial.

Different people have different methods, there is often no right or wrong way.

However, the key to a successful fire is the generation of heat.

Moreover, the faster you can generate this heat, the less emissions will be produced.

Further, by reducing the time required to get a full fire will result in more heat generation.

Let’s face it, the generation of heat is whey we light a fire in the first place.

Sourcing, storing and arranging both kindling and fire lighters can be a bit of a faff.

At Hot Box, we have built a fire in every single one of our stove installations, and there have been a considerable number!

As a result, we are experts in how to light a fire in a wood burning stove.

Historically, our teams of stove installers have always had to carry with them a supply of kindling, firelighter and logs.

After a stove has been installed a comprehensive demonstration has always been part of our commissioning process.

Moreover, by lighting a fire we have the opportunity to fully test the joints, seals and functionality of our stoves.

Over the years, many of our clients experienced varying degrees of success when it came to lighting their wood burners.

As a result, and being innovative sorts, we got thinking.

Our questions were really quite simple?

• How to light a fire in a wood burning stove?
• What are the key components?
• What is the science behind lighting a fire?
• Can we think of a way to standardise this process?

The answers to our questions were not all quite as simple however.

Let us explain….

Kindling, small, dry pieces of timber, usually softwood which would light easily and burn quickly.

Firelighters, small pieces of wood wool dipped in wax or compressed sawdust tended to be our favoured products.

Arrangement, a neat stack of kindling which promotes airflow and allows each piece of kindling to be easily engulfed by the fire.

Matches or a lighter, usually a freebie from one of our stove suppliers, anything will usually do the job.

As for the science, this is where we started to learn a little bit. We went back to basics and referred to the Fire Triangle, Heat | Oxygen | Fuel.

When it came to standardising this process the solutions was simple.

We sourced all of our kindling from the same place, always had the same firelighters and always used the same arrangement which we referred to as ‘the Jenga ® stack.

This process  diverted our attention to the next phase in the process.

How can we offer this method to all of our customers?

it is all very well building a fire in this way each and every time. Using the same kindling, fire lighters and method.

However, lighting a fire in this way can be time consuming. Further, you always have to ensure you have a ready supply of the key components.

Further thinking came about….

How can we package these components into a simple container and make them work in the same way?

How to light a fire in a wood burning stove | Use Hot Box ® Firestarter

Having spent some time messing around with bits of wood, stacking them in our usual way we set about trying to retain them in one place during transit and use.

The premise of putting sticks in a box is not a particularly difficult concept.

However, keeping them in a particular formation whilst incorporating a firelighter, without pins or glue,  proved slightly more challenging.

Moreover, we needed to provide a container, suitable for retail, which was all natural and was easily combustible.

After a number trains we finally devised a way of doing this using only recycled cardboard fitments inside each and every box. ]

The kindling could be stacked in our usual way, a firelighter was suspends one level up to promote airflow and some ventilation was provided.

Hot Box ® Firestarter was now a working prototype.

Protection of our product

So it turned out, having sent our firelighter to a number of previous clients, we had come up with a god concept.

As a result, we decided to get some protection to prevent it from being copied.

Our unique fire lighter is not only the best way to light a wood burning stove but it has achieve two Uk patents to date.

Further, we also have several other international patents pending.

How to light a fire in a wood burning stove?

Now, when we are asked this question, we can say with some certainty that the answer is Hot Box ® Firestarter.

Don’t just take our word for it, take a look at a few of our recent videos of our product in action.

Where can I buy Hot Box ® Firestarter?

Our method of lighting a fire in a wood burning stove is available online directly from us.

Go to Hot Box ® Firestarter and peruse our handy pack sizes. 

• Available in a pack of 2, ideal for a weekend or a camping trip. 
• Our 8 pack is the most popular, enough for a week plus something to light your pizza oven come Saturday night. 
• Further, our 27 pack has been designed for month or for users with more than one fireplace or wood burner. 

How much is Hot Box ® Firestarter versus kindling and firelighters?

Some people are more than happy to pay for the convenience that a product like ours can bring.

However, we have set our pricing to make it competitive versus kindling and firelighters.