There are several ways to light your wood stove. Choose a responsible method to ensure clean burning. The Swiss method is an effective way to minimize smoke and reduce emissions. It results in a cleaner burn and less impact on your surroundings. But how does it work?
We all want to do our part for a better environment. Do you have a wood stove? Then maybe it’s time to rethink the way you light it. With the Swiss method, you can start your fire in a more responsible and sustainable way. This technique is also known as top-down lighting — the fire starts at the top instead of the bottom. Right from the beginning, it creates a nearly complete combustion. Your stove and flue heat up gradually and evenly.
In contrast, the traditional method lights the fire from below, often leading to more smoke and an inefficient burn.
Because no unnecessary wood is burned, the Swiss method is highly efficient and eco-friendly. It also produces far less smoke. If done correctly, you’ll have a smoke-free fire within minutes — much better for the environment.
Want to learn how to use your wood stove or fireplace more sustainably? Read our blog post.
As we just mentioned, the Swiss method lights the fire from the top. It might sound complicated, but it’s actually quite simple. We’ll walk you through the steps to burn your wood stove sustainably using this method.
Make sure to use dry wood. This reduces smoke and fine particulate emissions. You can easily check the moisture content with a moisture meter. Split a log and insert the meter into the freshly split side. A moisture level between 15% and 20% is ideal.
Don’t have a moisture meter? You can recognize dry wood by cracks and bark that peels off easily.
Place a few small pieces of kindling on top of the stack, again in a crisscross pattern. Using poor-quality kindling can make it harder to get the fire started. In this blog post, you can learn which wood is best to use. Light the fire with a firelighter placed on top of the stack.
Warm up that hot chocolate quickly, because if you follow all the steps of the Swiss method correctly, you’ll soon be enjoying a cozy fire in your wood stove.
With the fireplaces and stoves from JDB Haarden and Interior, you’re in good hands. All our installations comply with current environmental regulations. Discover our range and visit our showroom.
