Pellet stoves are a fantastic way to keep your home warm and cozy during chilly days. They are efficient, clean-burning, and easy to use once you know the ropes. If you’re new to pellet stoves or just want a refresher, this guide will walk you through how to light a pellet stove with confidence and ease.
What You’ll Need Before You Start
– Wood pellets (make sure your hopper is well stocked)
– Matches or a lighter
– Optional: starter gel or ignition gel (helps fire catch faster)
– Small shovel or ash vacuum (for cleaning ash)
– Gloves (for safety when handling fire)
Step 1: Prepare Your Pellet Stove
Before lighting, make sure your stove is completely off and cool to avoid any burns or smoke issues. Open the stove door and check the burn pot or ash pan. If there’s leftover ash from previous burns, use a small shovel or vacuum to clean it out. Too much ash can make lighting difficult and affect airflow.
Step 2: Fill the Hopper with Pellets
The hopper is the pellet storage container, usually located at the back or top of the stove. Fill it about 75% full with wood pellets. This ensures you have enough fuel to keep the fire going for several hours. Don’t forget to replace the hopper lid securely.
Step 3: Add Pellets to the Burn Pot
For manual lighting, you’ll want to add a small amount of pellets directly into the burn pot (the area where the fire actually burns). This helps get the fire started quickly. If you’re using starter gel, apply a few drops over these pellets to speed up ignition safely.
Step 4: Open Air Vents
Make sure the air vents on your stove are open to allow plenty of oxygen to reach the fire. Good airflow is essential for a strong, steady flame.
Step 5: Light the Pellets
Use a match or lighter to ignite the pellets in the burn pot. Hold the flame to the pellets until they start smoldering, then gently blow on them to encourage small flames to appear. If you used starter gel, the pellets should ignite more quickly and easily.
For stoves with automatic ignition, simply turning on the stove via the control panel will start the fire for you, usually within 7 to 8 minutes. You might notice some smoke during this time, but that’s normal. Once the fire is established, the system light will turn solid, indicating the stove is running properly.
Step 6: Adjust Settings and Monitor
Once your fire is burning steadily, close the stove door carefully. Turn on the convection blower or fan to circulate warm air safely throughout the room. Adjust the pellet feed rate and air damper to control the heat output to your liking. Keep an eye on the fire for the first 30 minutes to ensure it’s burning well and feeding pellets properly.
Tips for Manual Lighting When Ignitor Fails
If your pellet stove ignitor breaks or isn’t working, you can still light the stove manually. Remove some pellets from the burn pot to avoid overfeeding, then use a propane torch or a long lighter to ignite the pellets directly. Be sure to wear gloves and proceed carefully to avoid burns.
Safety Reminders
– Always follow your pellet stove’s user manual for specific instructions and safety tips.
– Never use lighter fluid or gasoline; use only starter gel designed for pellet stoves.
– Ensure the stove is off and cool before cleaning or adding pellets.
– Keep the area around the stove clear of flammable materials.
– Regularly clean the ash pan to maintain efficient burning.
Lighting a pellet stove is straightforward and rewarding once you get the hang of it. Whether your stove has automatic ignition or requires manual lighting, these steps will help you enjoy a warm, inviting fire all winter long.
Warmth is just a few steps away!
Lighting a pellet stove is simple with the right preparation and care. Follow these steps, and you’ll have a cozy fire burning in no time. Stay warm and enjoy!