Newbie needs tips

[Whitehouse1949]

I am completely new to indoor fires. Recently rented a house from my friends mom. Was built in 1949 and has an original fireplace with a Black Bart II insert. I have already scheduled a chimney sweeper to come clean it all out.

Was wanting to know any tips or advice or anything else. Never used a fireplace or an insert. Heard great things about them tho. Ill take any help, no matter how basic or whatever it sounds. Thanks in advance

 

[begreen]

Welcome. Have the sweep determine if this stove is connected to a liner or a slammer install with no connection to the chimney. If it's a slammer, this is no longer legal. This can be remedied by adding a stainless steel liner connected to the stove with an adapter.

Have fully seasoned dry wood on hand for best and cleanest burning.

 

[Lake Girl]

To add a little more to the "fully seasoned dry wood" that begreen mentioned, you have to cut/split/stack wood for at least a year ahead depending on wood type. It may need longer. To determine moisture content on wood, get yourself a moisture meter. On a fresh split, you are looking for a moisture reading of 20% or less ideally. Too much higher and you lose BTUs and risk creosote build up in your stove and chimney... Use the search top right to learn more...