How to Use a Wood Burner (and Get it Right)
There’s nothing quite like the crackle of real wood and the radiant heat of a fire on a cold New Zealand night. But if you want your burner to work at its best — safely, efficiently, and cleanly — you need to know how to light it and keep it running properly.
Here’s your straight-up guide:
1. Choose the Right Wood - see this link about firewood types
Not all firewood is created equal. The secret is seasoned, dry wood — ideally cut and stored for at least 12 months.
✅ Best options: macrocarpa, manuka, gum, or pine (great for fast ignition).
❌ Avoid: wet, green, or treated timber. They smoke, waste heat, and clog your flue.
💡 Pro tip: A cheap moisture meter is a game-changer. Aim for firewood under 20% moisture.
2. Prepare the Burner
Before striking a match:
Empty out excess ash (leave a decent 50-80mm ash bed — it helps the fire catch)
🔥 Benefits of an Ash Bed in a Wood Burner
Easier Fire Starting
Ash insulates and holds heat. When you lay new kindling on top, the residual warmth in the ash helps it catch faster than starting from a cold steel base.
Protects the Firebox
A thin ash layer acts like a cushion between the burning logs and the steel base of your burner, reducing thermal shock and protecting the firebox over the long haul.
Steadier Burn
Ash traps embers, letting them smoulder and re-ignite fresh fuel more easily. That means a more consistent flame and less “fiddle factor” keeping it alive.
Improved Efficiency
Because the base stays hot, wood gases ignite faster, which means cleaner burns and more heat — not wasted smoke up the flue.
⚠️ But don’t overdo it:
Too much ash chokes airflow, reduces combustion, and can spill into the ash pan or clog vents. Best practice is to leave just a 2-4cm layer in the firebox.
Check your air controls move freely.
Make sure the - air control damper is fully open.
3. Light It Top-Down
Forget the old newspaper-at-the-bottom trick. Modern wood burners are designed for top-down lighting:
- Place two large logs on the base.
- Stack smaller split wood across them.
- Add kindling in a criss-cross pattern on top.
- Put two or three firelighters (or twisted paper) above that.
- Light from the top — the flames will burn downward naturally.
🔥 Why it works: cleaner burn, less smoke, faster heat.
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4. Master the Airflow
Start with vent / air slider wide open and door slightly ajar (4-6cm) for maximum oxygen draw.
Once the fire is going (10–15 minutes), reduce slightly for steady burning.
Never choke it right down — that just means smoky glass, creosote build-up, and wasted fuel.
5. Keep It Ticking Along
The trick is rhythm, not overload:
Add one or two logs at a time.
Stick with consistent-sized dry wood.
Always maintain visible flames — if it’s just embers, open the vent to revive it.
What can I do if my fire is too hot, but turning down the airflow causes a smokey chimney?
6. Stay Safe & Efficient
Use a fire guard if kids or pets are nearby.
Get your flue swept once a year (more often if you burn daily).
Never burn rubbish, coal, or treated timber.
At night, let the fire burn down naturally — don’t overload and shut it down tight.
7. Enjoy the Benefits
When run properly, a modern NZ wood burner is:
Efficient: delivers dry, radiant heat.
Clean burning: minimal smoke and emissions.
Cost-effective: especially with locally sourced firewood.
👉 [Click here for good firewood in Canterbury]
And let’s be real — nothing beats the glow and warmth of a genuine wood fire.
✅ Quick Recap
Dry wood only.
Light top-down.
Keep air flowing.
Add logs steadily.
Clean your flue at least yearly.
🔥 At Yourstore, we’ve been working with Woodsman wood burners and Kiwi homes for nearly 20 years.
If you need advice on choosing, installing, or running your fire, give us a call.
0800 111 688.