Wood or Coal Burning Stoves

Check your stove pipes and chimney regularly for creosote build-up. Shiny creosote deposits look like black paint, and are an indication that your wood stove is not working properly.

Burn seasoned wood to minimize creosote build-up.  Wood stored in the spring will be seasoned and ready to burn in the fall, although a longer storage time is preferable.

Don’t overload the stove with wood.  This can cause the wood to smolder, and produces excessive creosote build-up.

Keep combustibles away from the stove.

Keep a dry chemical fie extinguisher on hand in the event of a chimney fire.  Close the damper and air inlet immediately, then call the fire department.

Don’t connect a wood stove to a fireplace chimney unless the chimney has been properly sealed around the stovepipe.  Don’t connect more than one stove to a chimney.