Hi, I love to burn alligator juniper (see my signature). It's a common wood here in the AZ forests. It is a great wood to start up a fire because it's not too hard, but burns fast and hot. However it does spark quite a bit during the early phases of ignition, and this coincides with having my insert door wide open for air supply. Note: I also have the insert's vent wide open also. In order to prevent the sparks, I have found that if I leave the insert door open just a tiny crack, I get the necessary air "jet-streamed" into the firebox, while preventing any sparks from escaping. In my time on this forum I haven't read where anyone else does this, so I am just wondering if what I am doing is OK. Thanks, Trooper
I've never burned that wood, but regardless of the wood type I'm starting up with I leave the door just cracked a 1/2" or so.
Same, during a start-up I close the door handle and let it rest against the catch and the air fully open so the paper and kindling will catch better. Then when the kindling is going well I add a few splits and close the door and let them catch. And then when they are going well I will finish out the load. I think the important thing is never leave the room with the door unlatched at any time. I just started up the stove in that fashion. Just the air fully open doesn't seem to be enough with a cold stove.
I will leave the door open just a crack to get that forced air to start things up quick, but I always keep an eye on it. Don't want a burning split to fall out the door and on the floor.
Not sure but I think that juniper burns a bit like sassafras; perhaps a bit faster. I've wondered if anyone has tried burning any of that salt cedar down there? Have you tried any? I know it gives black smoke when burned in the open so not sure it would be good for stoves.
Hi BS...Honestly I haven't heard of/seen salt cedar. We have a shaggy bark juniper that smells JUST like cedar when split, but it burns just like juniper...No smoke at all.
Sounds like some interesting wood Trooper. I don't like stuff that sparks much as it scares the crap out of me as I have had some when I open the door and sparks fly out the door. Also I guess I'm blessed with a good draft most of the time.....I can start cold and never have to leave the door open or even have the drafts open more than half way. I do occasionally get a down draft with a cold chimney but a few pieces of newspaper lit in the back of the stove generally gets it going up instead of down.
I always leave the door opened about 3/4- 1 " on a cold start and 1/2-5/8" on a reload for a few minutes to get things going. I never turn my back when the door is open due to an occasional spark. The Fireview will suck the door shut when it really gets going on a reload.
I crack the door , a bit before reloads to get a good draft going & after reload to heat the chimney up a bit more. A good draft is good
Perhaps that just grows in some areas. Where we wintered was actually on the California side of the river but just west of Yuma. Lots of it around there. I do remember when wild fires would break out it gave a very black smoke.
Your doing nothing wrong, just don't forget to close it. On a fresh start up I leave my door cracked until my stovepipe gets to around 250-300 degrees. I know you probably can't tell temp on your pipe with an insert but it usually takes about 5-10 min till I shut the door.
QUO[TE="Pyroholic, post: 423216, member: 45"]I've never burned that wood, but regardless of the wood type I'm starting up with I leave the door just cracked a 1/2" or so.[/QUOTEI I do the same thing, a starting stove has to be watched, it can really take off on you very quick.
The IS has a little notch that you put the latch in to keep the door cracked for when you are starting a fire. Nice little feature.
