Kaminy Kupit V Spbfireplaces and stoves at home: a reference that sells nothing

An independent reference about fireplaces and stoves at home. It sells nothing, is not an installation company and is not connected with the previous website on this domain.

How-to

How-to guides

Lighting a fire and storing firewood properly are things every hearth owner learns alone, and where most mistakes happen. Here the steps are described in general terms: no tricks, no flammable liquids and no risky shortcuts. There is also a separate list of jobs you should not take on yourself, however easy they look in online videos.

Fire does not like to be rushed. Patience when lighting gives an even flame and clean glass, while the urge to splash on something to speed it up is the quickest road to disaster.

— Editor's note

How this section works: we describe simple tasks that a hearth owner does themselves. Anything to do with the stove's construction, gas or the chimney we leave to professionals and do not describe.

How to light a fireplace properly

  1. Check the hearth

    Make sure there is no excess ash in the firebox, the glass and door are intact and there is nothing combustible in front of the fireplace. Check that the carbon monoxide alarm in the room is working.

  2. Open the damper

    Before lighting, fully open the chimney damper or flue control if there is one. Without draught, smoke will come into the room. The manual or a professional can explain how the damper on your particular hearth works.

  3. Lay the kindling

    Put a little crumpled paper and thin dry kindling in the firebox, with a few small logs on top so that air can pass between them. Add larger logs later, once the fire has taken hold.

  4. Light it with a match

    Light the paper with a match or a long fireplace lighter. Petrol, kerosene and other flammable liquids must never be used to light it; this is expressly prohibited by Russia's Fire Safety Regulations, and other countries have their own rules.

  5. Watch the flames

    At first, set the door as the hearth's manual recommends and watch the smoke: it should go up the chimney. If smoke drifts into the room, do not add more wood; ventilate the room and contact a professional.

  6. Never leave the fire alone

    A burning hearth must not be left unattended; this is also required by Russia's fire safety rules. Add wood a little at a time and do not close the damper while embers remain in the firebox: the manual or a professional will tell you when it is safe to do so.

How to store firewood

  1. Choose a spot

    Put the woodshed or log store somewhere well ventilated, away from the hearth and the entrance to the house. A roof keeps rain and snow off the wood, while open sides let the wind dry it.

  2. Raise logs off the ground

    Stack logs on pallets or battens rather than directly on the ground: moisture rises from below and the bottom row starts to rot.

  3. Split wood in advance

    Split logs dry faster than whole rounds. Split your wood well ahead so it has time to dry before the season starts.

  4. Stack with gaps

    Build the woodpile so that air can pass between the rows. A tight heap with no airflow dries poorly and can go mouldy.

  5. Check for dryness

    A dry log is lighter than a wet one, has cracks visible on its ends and gives a sharp ring when knocked against another. Wet firewood burns worse, gives more smoke and leaves more deposits in the chimney.

  6. Keep a small supply indoors

    Keep only enough wood for the next fire in the room, in a log holder away from the flames. A large stack by the hearth is an unnecessary fire load, and logs bring insects and debris into the house.

  • Tools

    What is useful by the hearth, no brands: a fireside tool set, ash bucket, log holder, carbon monoxide alarm, fire extinguisher and gloves.

  • Care

    Chimney sweeping, ash, door glass and seals, alarm checks and a pre-season inspection of the fireplace or stove.

  • Materials

    Firewood, fuel briquettes, fire-resistant linings, door glass, non-combustible hearths and bioethanol in general terms, plus our article catalogue.

Sources

  • Fire Safety Regulations of the Russian Federation (Government Decree No. 1479 of 16 September 2020)
  • Russian rescue-service guidance on safe stove heating

Specific requirements are summarised in general terms from the Fire Safety Regulations of the Russian Federation and Russian rescue-service guidance on stove heating. Other countries have their own chimney and fire-safety rules, so check your local regulations. Dimensions, clearances, fire separations and installation methods are set by the design, the applicable regulations and the professionals who install and service your fireplace or stove.