How to Light a Wood Heater Properly
- Jul 14
- 3 min read
A wood heater should light easily and burn cleanly. If you're getting smoke in the room or your fire won't stay lit, it's usually caused by wet firewood, a cold flue, or poor airflow.
Follow these simple steps for a safe, efficient fire.
Before You Start make sure you're using:
1. Dry Seasoned Premium Jarrah Firewood
✔️ Use hardwood that has been seasoned for at least 12 months.
✔️ Sharp crack = dry
❌ Dull thud = too wet
❌ Wet wood creates smoke, poor heat and creosote buildup.
2. Dry Kindling
✔️ Use plenty of dry kindling to get the fire established quickly.
❌ Too little kindling is one of the most common reasons fires fail.
3. Fire Starters
✔️ Firelighters
✔️ Wax fire starters
✔️ Newspaper
❌ Avoid usinng petrol, methylated spirits or lighter fluid.
Steps to Light Your Wood Heater
Prepare the Firebox: Place firelighters or scrunched-up paper in the base of the firebox, then add dry kindling wood on top to help start the fire quickly.
Open Air Controls: Fully open all air vents and controls according to your heater’s operating manual to allow maximum airflow during start-up.
Light the Fire: Ignite the firelighters or paper and allow the kindling to catch.
Allow Proper Airflow: Leave the heater door slightly open for the first 10–15 minutes to help the fire establish. Never leave the heater unattended during this time.
Add Firewood Gradually: Once the fire is burning strongly, add larger pieces of dry firewood. For the best heat output and cleaner burning, place logs front-to-back (at right angles to the door opening). Avoid adding too much wood at once, as oversized loads can restrict airflow and smother the fire.
Common Problems
Fire Won't Stay Lit
Usually caused by wet firewood.
Try:
Dry seasoned hardwood
More kindling
Extra fire starters
Smoke Coming Into the Room
Check:
Damper is open
Flue has been primed
Air controls are fully open
Open a nearby window briefly
If the problem continues, your flue may need cleaning.
Fire Keeps Going Out
Possible causes:
Dirty flue
Blocked chimney
Poor airflow
If opening a window doesn't help, book a flue clean.
Heater Is Hot but the Room Isn't
Reduce the air controls once the fire is established and check for draughts around doors and windows
When Your Flue Needs Cleaning
If you've tried everything and your heater still smokes or won't draw properly, the flue is probably restricted. The most common causes are:
❌ Creosote Buildup
Soot and creosote reduce airflow, create smoke and increase the risk of chimney fires.
❌ Bird Nests
Unused flues often become nesting spots over spring and summer.
If you notice twigs, scratching noises or heavy smoke, have the flue professionally cleared.
Keep Your Heater Running Well
✓ Burn only dry seasoned Premium Jarrah Firewood
✓ Don't close the air controls too quickly.
✓ Clean blackened glass regularly.
✓ Have your flue professionally cleaned every year before winter.
Quick Checklist
Before lighting your heater:
✓ Air controls open
✓ Damper open
✓ Dry firewood ready
✓ Flue primed if cold
✓ Build the fire from the top down
✓ Add larger logs only after the kindling is burning well
✓ Reduce air controls once the fire is established
If smoke enters the room after these steps, it's time to have your flue professionally cleaned.