Autumn
Before the first fire of the season: a wood burner checklist
Updated 5 October 2026
The first cold evening is when a stove that sat idle all summer gets lit in a hurry. A few checks first save a smoky room, a tarred flue or worse. None of this replaces a sweep; it tells you whether you need one before you strike the match.
1. Has the flue been swept since last winter?
If you burned wood last season and the chimney has not been swept since, book a sweep before lighting. Most guidance for wood is at least once a year (see how often). Ask for a certificate with the date and the sweep’s registration body on it; many home insurers ask for one after a chimney fire, and landlords need records too (see insurance certificate and landlords). Diaries fill fast from October, so do not leave it — see silly season.
2. Anything nest in it over spring?
Jackdaws and other birds nest in chimneys from spring into summer. If you heard scratching or saw twigs in the stove or grate, do not light it. A nest can block the flue and push smoke and carbon monoxide back into the room. Active nests are protected by law; a sweep can clear old nests once the season is over and fit a guard. More on bird nests.
3. Test the carbon monoxide alarm
Press the test button on the CO alarm in the room with the stove. Check the replace-by date printed on the unit; sensors do not last for ever. If you have no alarm, fit one before lighting. Rented homes in England with a fixed solid-fuel appliance must have one by law. See CO alarms.
4. Look over the stove itself
- Door rope seal — if it is flattened, frayed or loose, air leaks in and the stove is hard to control. A common check is to close the door on a strip of paper; if it slides out easily, the seal needs replacing.
- Glass — cracks mean stop and replace the glass before use.
- Baffle or throat plate — make sure it is back in place after sweeping. It is often moved for the brush.
- Ash pan and grate — empty out last season’s ash and check the grate is not warped or cracked.
- Air controls — make sure they move freely after a summer of damp.
5. Use dry fuel
Wood stored outside all summer under a leaky cover can be wetter than you think. In England, wood sold in bags and nets under 2 m³ must be certified Ready to Burn at 20% moisture or less. If you have a moisture meter, split a log and test the fresh face; above 20% means it needs longer to dry. Wet wood smokes, cools the flue and lays down tar, which undoes a fresh sweep quickly.
Buy Ready to Burn kiln-dried logs from LogsOnline (affiliate link — we may earn a commission if you buy).
6. Light it gently
A cold flue draws poorly. Start with kindling and a small fire with the air controls open, and let the flue warm before adding bigger logs. If smoke spills into the room and does not settle once the fire catches, put it out safely, ventilate, and call a sweep. That can mean a blockage or a draw problem, not just a cold chimney.
Need a sweep before you light?
Find a registered sweep listed from public registers. See also what a sweep costs and logs.
Disclosure: some product links are affiliate / referral links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Not affiliated with HETAS, NACS, the Guild, APICS, Sweep Safe or Ready to Burn / Woodsure. This is general guidance; follow your stove maker’s manual and your sweep’s advice.