As you’re probably well aware, there is more than one way to start a fire. Most of us are accustomed to the pyramid method when lighting a wood burning stove, while many prefer building a layered fire that looks something like a Jenga tower when it’s complete! There’s no doubt that these approaches work well in many instances. But when you’re setting a fire in your wood-burning stove, a top-down approach is a much better option, as we explain below.
What is a top-down fire?
In a top-down fire, the biggest logs are placed at the bottom, while the smaller logs and kindling are added on top. The fire is lit from the top, and it spreads to the wood at the bottom once it catches. Some people call it a feeding fire, but the principles are the same. Top-down fires typically produce less smoke, and they burn brightly from the beginning. They also require less maintenance than traditional fires, as you build a solid foundation that will burn for a considerable period of time.
Why is a top-down fire best for wood-burning stoves?
Building a fire the traditional way is inefficient for lighting a wood-burning stove. Conventionally, you need to regularly maintain and top up your fire, and it’s not particularly easy to get it started in the first place. However, when you build your fire from the top down, you will find that your fire produces less smoke and burns much more efficiently, resulting in a much easier fire to maintain and enjoy throughout the evening.
How to build a top-down fire
Building a top-down fire is nice and straightforward. You need to begin by creating a strong base with kiln-dried firewood. The moisture content of the wood is crucial, as using wet logs makes it extremely difficult to get your fire going. Wet logs have actually been phased out by the British government, meaning it’s no longer legal to burn them in your home fire. Once you’ve got your solid base, build your fire upwards, adding smaller logs until you have two or three layers. You should then add your kindling and some Wood Wool Twizlers to the top. Your last job is to ignite your kindling and watch the fire engulf your stack of wood. You will be amazed at how effective a top-down fire is and will almost certainly wonder why it’s taken you so long to try it out!
Choose the right fuel for your top-down fire
A top-down fire will only work if you build it with the right fuel. You can build your base with our kiln-dried firewood or Shimada Heat Logs, which both burn long and bright and present you with an environmentally-friendly solution for your home fire. You can then top your fire with our fire starter multi-pack, which includes kindling and Twizlers, that will help your fire get off to the perfect start. So, if you haven’t yet tried it, switch to a top-down fire for lighting your wood-burning stove today, and you will enjoy a gorgeous fire that burns long into the night.
Top-down fire lighting means stacking your logs fairly tightly, and then lighting a small fire on top of the stack so that the fire burns downwards. The stove reaches its operating temperature faster, and the gases are combusted more efficiently.
The upside down method aids in the flue getting up to temperature more quickly and removes the need to open the appliance door to add fuel to the kindling which means there is less of a chance of the combustion chamber cooling.
The reason it is better to light from the top is the gases that logs give off when they get hot. If you light in the traditional way – using paper or firelighters at the bottom – these gases disappear up the flue without being burnt.
Most types of hardwood, for instance Ash (generally regarded as the best), Birch, Beech, Oak and Elm can be used. However, avoid burning woods with a high resin content. As a rule of thumb, the heavier the wood, then the greater the heat output and the longer burn time – the time between refills.
The conventional method of lighting kindling below big logs releases excessive smoke. Lighting from the top and letting the fire spread down creates a better draft and less pollution.
The fewer people involved in the decision-making and management process, the faster decisions will get made. Top-down management allows an organization to act a lot faster than if the whole business was brought in on a decision.
Top-down fire lighting means stacking your logs fairly tightly, and then lighting a small fire on top of the stack so that the fire burns downwards. The stove reaches its operating temperature faster, and the gases are combusted more efficiently.
Contrary to popular opinion, the hardwood's, like oak and poplar , created MORE creosote than the softwoods, like tamarack and pine. The reason for this, is that if the softwoods are dry, they create a hotter, more intense fire. The draft created by the hotter fire moves the air up the chimney faster!
At 88% efficiency (82% HHV) the King is the most efficient wood stove in the world. This allows you to get the most heat out of your wood to reduce your heating costs. The King has the largest and deepest firebox of any stove on the market and is for serious wood burners.
For the serious fire lover, you may want to invest in hardwoods like madrone, live oak, ash, hickory, walnut and fruit trees like apple or cherry. Hardwoods are denser woods that burn hotter and longer than softwoods, but you'll need to let them season more than a year.
Start fires with firelighters and dry kindling – allow 5-10 minutes for the kindling to burn fiercely warming your flue and creating a strong draw before adding *any* logs. Burn hot, bright fires and start with a few smaller logs. Arrange your logs in such a way that allows air between, without overfilling your stove.
We also like to use twigs and small branches broken into 12- or 18-inch lengths. Lumber scraps work well and are easy to split, and large pieces of bark will also help the firewood catch on.
While uplighting may be best suited for taller plants, downlighting can be a good fit for low-growing flowers to highlight their unique foliage or floral tops. Downlighting can also work great under seating walls, deck edges, or benches to cast subtle light on walkways and patios.
Top-Down: More effective in larger organizations or teams where managing a large number of employees systematically is crucial. It helps in maintaining order and disseminating information efficiently. Bottom-Up: Suitable for smaller teams or organizations where close collaboration and quick decision-making are needed.
The top-down approach can be more efficient in terms of decision-making and execution. With a clear plan, task assignment is quick, and the project progresses seamlessly. While the bottom-up approach may take more time due to collaborative decision-making, it fosters high team engagement.
With top-down bottom-up shades, you can achieve an optimal level of privacy at any time of day. During the day, you can let in light without sacrificing privacy by opening your shades top-down. Light can come through the top section of your windows, while the shades will still cover everything at eye level.
Introduction: My name is Saturnina Altenwerth DVM, I am a witty, perfect, combative, beautiful, determined, fancy, determined person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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