Cold air trapped within a chimney can lead to a fire keep going out or smoking! Warming up the air within the chimney flue can help start the draft on the stove and aid in having a more successful and hotter fire.
WHY WARM UP A CHIMNEY?
A fireplace has direct access to the outside atmosphere, and so while a fireplace isn’t in use the temperature of the air within the chimney can be as cold as the outside air. Closing the stoves air can prevent heat loss from a home when the stove isn’t in use, but can also lead to cold air being trapped within the chimney.
A chimney works by pulling air from the fireplace out of your home. The movement of warmer air up the chimney helps to suck fresh air into the fireplace from the room. This continuous movement of air helps to ensure that any waste gases and smoke generated by a fire can safely leave your fire via the chimney, while in turn being able to suck more air into the fireplace.
To have a successful fire in the stove, there must be sufficient draw from the chimney to be able to sustain the movement of hot and cold air. Trapped cold air within the stove and chimney can lead to no movement of air, and therefore no draft.
WARM THE CHIMNEY BEFORE STARTING A FIRE
Put a couple of firelighters and plenty of kindle into the stove, leave the door open and light the firelighters, keep the door open slightly and keep all the airs open. Ensure there is plenty of kindle to warm the stove up (this is essential to warm the chimney) Let the kindle roar before adding a small log, close the door once the wood has started burning, but do not shut the air. Add another small log to the stove and let it burn. Once your stove has got to a temperature you can then add another log and turn the air down. Never shut the air off, this will stop the stove burning!