Candles and incense are common igniters of house fires. For this reason, it is suggested that fire belongs really only in the woodstove. When used properly, this one is charming, pleasant, emits low levels of pollutants, and contributes to a happy built environment by encouraging dry indoor conditions.
There is a woodstove protocol to follow with the Lopi Endeavor. Until you have learned the procedures and can demonstrate them reliably (if you are interested in potentially taking on this responsibility), please watch the people making fires when it is happening. Take note of the protocol & its general concepts, discuss it with the Fire Whisperers at length, and enjoy learning to make Lopi fires efficiently. The process is likely different than any other you've encountered, and is quite interesting.
What is wrong with the Teepee or tic-tac-toe methods? They might be arguably fine in certain situations, but our observation is that they don't work well in this setting. Here's why:
With the Tic-tac-toe method, you build a grid and fill it with paper. With the teepee method, you make a kindling teepee and fill it with paper. These methods are quite open and require a lot of paper and a bunch of kindling.
The way we procure wood is through a sweat equity work exchange program where we essentially cut and split wood for another family and also provide chain saw work to friends & neighbors, etc. in exchange for access to wood. Kindling proper has not traditionally been as easy to procure, so we have learned how to make fires efficiently without it.
To quickly outline the protocol, for reference purposes (a personal tutorial process is still required):
First, the flue is opened all the way. This is the oxygen delivery control. Two pieces of fir or soft wood is placed perpendicular to the stove door, about 3/4" apart. The purpose of this is so that:
1) logs don't roll out, and
2) the Lopi has a built in bellows mechanism which works with the logs oriented this way.
put a "cap" diagonally crossways on top of the two logs. This is a Goldie Locks maneuver. Placed optimally, this cap help the two pieces of wood build up heat and release gasses. Too much coverage and it smothers the fire instead. Too little coverage and the heat escapes. Incidentally, there are approximately three stages of combustion happening in series. First, methanol gas is released from the process of heating the wood. The methanol gas burns, which further heats the wood. Next, components of the wood are converted into charcoal. Then the combustion of the coal (wood - gasses) happens. Combusting gasses = flame. Combusting coal = glowing red, no flame.
Place a narrow strip of paper in the channel created by the two logs. Light the paper. Close the door until it is just cracked open. This creates the bellows effect. Open the door and repeat this process as necessary to produce a heat that builds. When the fire "catches", what is happening can be described as similar to a nuclear reaction, whereby the gas and heat bounce off one side of the channel, is excited to ignite in the presence of flame, bounces onto the other side of the channel, and repeats. Voila! You have fire. Less than one piece of newspaper is the goal, and of course, a one-match wonder is frosting on the cake. Not always the case, but an objective which is fun, easy, and better for the environment!
Pretty soon, the fire is going for real, and you can shut the door all the way. This chokes down the oxygen, but the process of starting the fire warms up the stove. The warm stove and combustion creates a stack effect, pulling oxygen in. At this point, heat is also being sucked out. However, the purpose is to warm the stove and stove pipe. Once the fire is going and the door is shut, the activity inside is self sustaining in term of its ability to draw in a sufficient supply of oxygen.
As the fire burns, you monitor it and look for signs to indicate complete combustion. Flames dancing actively and happily are a positive sign. Frantic flames are an indication of too much air, which also means you are losing heat. Languishing flames and smoke are signs of too little oxygen, which means gasses are escaping. This is also a sign of creosote buildup on the stovepipe.
As the fire burns, you monitor it and adjust the damper to provide juuust the right amount of airflow, facilitating conditions conducive for continuous combustion. By the time you get to the point where the are no flames and only red hot glowing coals, you finally get free heat! Meaning, the damper is all the way shut, complete combustion is happening, the maximum amount of heat is transferring to the space. At this point, the smallest percentage of heat is escaping through the chimney.
Additional keys to an efficient fire are that wood should be dry, dry dry. Also, the paper used should be non-waxy (not shiny) and contain no plastic.
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