This may be posted here, just had some general comment, trying not to act too particular. I’m talking about stoking a stove. My sister comes at times, likes wood heat, adds wood when I’m not around. I did give her a short tutorial on the stove. For ‘some’ reason, I’ve had more firebricks crack & cement shielding compromised recently. I think there’s low level ‘art’ to adding wood to the stove. First off no need to throw or ‘toss’ it in, being afraid of the fire . I always have welding gloves near the stove. The wood can be set in. To delve deeper, I’ll often put two smaller, maybe lighter wood in first, then set a more solid piece on top, spaces between all for the flames to work. This may end up as 4/5, same general principle with flame gaps. My stove has a damper opening lever, before you open the door. It’s heavy duty, but I still ‘ride’ it down without any slam, same with the main door. Once the fire is going well, the air damper can be just about closed. I recently did my midwinter chimney & stove cleaning earlier January, draw is excellent. I’m going on over 50 years as a wood burner, usually 75-77 inside.
I hear this a lot. I also know from talking to several stove sellers and stove makers, especially soapstone and breaking things from throwing wood in the stove is a big problem. For sure if someone else will be adding wood, you must educate them! Good for you burning wood for that long. There aren't many of us long-time wood burners around any more.
