What should I do before the first fire of the season in my wood-burning fireplace or wood stove?
Before the first wood fire, have the chimney inspected and swept for creosote, confirm the damper opens and closes freely, look up the flue for nests or debris, check the firebrick and door gasket, and have dry seasoned wood on hand. Then prime the cold flue with a small kindling fire before you load it up.
Creosote is the reason for the annual sweep
Wood fires leave creosote — a tarry, flammable buildup — on the flue walls, and a season's worth of it is what fuels chimney fires. CSIA and NFPA both call for a yearly inspection, and after a wet WNC summer it isn't optional. We check the flue, the cap, the crown, and the smoke chamber. A wood stove is the same story: the pipe and chimney need eyes on them before the first burn, along with a look at the door gasket and the firebrick.
Prime the flue before you load it
At our elevation, a cold chimney holds a plug of dense cold air that fights your draft and pushes smoke back into the room. Open the damper fully, then light a small, hot kindling fire first — or hold a rolled newspaper torch up near the damper — to warm the flue and get air climbing before you build the real fire. Out on the ridges and under the tall trees, downdrafts are common, so a warm flue matters more here than it does down in the flatlands.
Wood, damper, and what we handle
Burn only seasoned hardwood; wet or green wood makes smoke, poor heat, and more creosote. Test the damper by hand — it should swing free and seal. If the damper's rusted, the firebrick is crumbling, or you spotted daylight or debris up the flue, don't light it. That's our lane. Call (828) 545-0525 for [an inspection](/services/fireplace-inspection) and we'll get it fire-ready.
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