Why wont my wood burning stove stay lit?

Author: Kira Schimmel  |  Last update: Saturday, June 14, 2025

You're not using your air vents properly Wood needs oxygen to burn so stoves are equipped with vents that open and close. When you begin your fire open these vents wide to get it underway, but after it catches, close them up slowly.

Why is my wood-burning stove not staying lit?

There could be several reasons why your wood burning stove keeps going out: insufficient airflow (either from the chimney or air vents), using wet or green wood, or an improperly sized stove for your space.

Why does the fire in my wood stove keep going out?

Not only does your wood-burning stove need the air vents to bring oxygen to the flames, but it needs a clean chimney, too. This helps it continuously draw in fresh oxygen while removing exhaust fumes. Take care to not only brush out the inside of your wood burner, but to sweep the flue too.

Why is my firewood not staying lit?

Maintain oxygen flow.

For a great fire, you must have good oxygen flow, so consider how to stack the firewood. If you stack wood too tight, it can snuff out the fire because the air and oxygen doesn't flow between tightly placed wood.

What to do if your fire keeps going out?

Overall, there are a few things you can do to have the best chance to keep a fire going, including:
  1. Taking the time to build a fire up.
  2. Using plenty of kindling.
  3. Using dry seasoned wood.
  4. Keeping your stove and chimney clean.
  5. Checking for any draft issues with your chimney.
  6. Making sure you have enough ventilation.

View this video and learn more about how to solve a draw problem

How to keep fire going in a wood stove?

How to Keep a Wood Stove Burning All Night Long
  1. Remove Old Ash. ...
  2. Choose Quality Firewood for a Lasting Burn. ...
  3. Build a Strong Foundation for a Lasting Fire. ...
  4. Maintain Proper Airflow for Controlled Burning. ...
  5. Ensure Adequate Heat Output for Sustained Warmth. ...
  6. Clear Ash Buildup and Allow Space for Optimal Burning.

Why wont my fire stay going?

Wherever you build your fire, you'll need good oxygen flow. To get this, you need to think about how you stack the firewood. If you cover the flame with too much firewood too quickly, you can snuff it out because it won't get enough oxygen. You also need to stack the logs in such a way that enables them to breathe.

How do you make firewood stay lit?

Make sure there is enough space between the logs to allow for sufficient oxygen flow and heat circulation. Place smaller pieces of wood on top of larger ones so that they burn quickly and thoroughly. Regularly add more kindling or tinder to help keep your flames burning longer and hotter.

Why is my firewood burning but not catching fire?

Use Seasoned Firewood

If your firewood is smoking but not getting fired up, it could be because the firewood isn't seasoned. Not all firewood is ready for the fireplace. When wood is fresh cut, it's brimming with moisture.

Can firewood become too dry?

While dry firewood is preferable for clean burning, logs can become overly dried out below ideal moisture levels. Wood with extremely low moisture content under 15% can burn too quickly, create fire hazards, increase air pollution, and reduce heat output. The ideal moisture range is around 15-20%.

Why does my stove flame keep going out?

This happens when a burner is partially clogged, causing the level of the gas flowing into the burners to be reduced. If you haven't cleaned your stovetop in a while, grease and other cooking residue can build up and clog the burner and reduce the flow of gas.

How do I get my fireplace to stay lit?

Pilot Light: Start by checking the pilot light. If it is out, resetting it could be all you need to fix the problem. Thermocouple/Thermopile/Oxygen sensor: Next, check each of these sensors to make sure they are functioning properly. Start with the thermopile to see if the valve is letting gas in.

Why does my wood stove burn out so fast?

Low airflow fires will burn at a lower BTU output for long periods whereas high airflow fires will spike with a quick rush of BTUs and quickly burn out, requiring additional wood.

Why does my wood stove fire keep going out?

Your fuel is too wet

Dried wood always burns better as stove fires don't have to cook off any excess moisture first. Instead, they can start consuming the logs straight away. Never add damp garden wood scraps like twigs to your fire. Not only will they snuff out the flames, but also smoke unpleasantly.

Why is my stove not holding flame?

There are several reasons why your gas stove flame may be low. Clogged burner ports, a failing gas valve, low gas pressure, or an igniter failure are the most common problems.

Why are my burners not staying lit?

Possible causes are a bad blower motor, a clogged air filter, blocked or restricted registers, or under-sized ductwork. A high-limit switch trip caused by no airflow (bad blower) will typically occur within 30-60 seconds after ignition.

Why won't my wood burning stove stay lit?

If the stove is not getting enough air, it will not burn properly. Likewise, if it's getting too much air, the stove will burn too hot and waste wood. Here are some common air control issues you may experience with your wood stove: Clogged air intakes.

Why does my firewood keep going out?

Maintain Balance

If pieces of wood within the fire are too far from each other, they'll burn out. If pieces of wood are too close to each other, they'll suffocate the fire. Finally, if your fire has darkened enough, only another log might do the trick. Of course, having excellent firewood in the first place works best.

How to keep a wood stove burning?

All wood burning stoves need a little maintenance to function optimally. Remove the ashes between every fire. Check the gaskets regularly; air leaks can significantly impair the combustion process, by adding air (and too much of it) in the wrong places. The chimney should be swept regularly to prevent chimney fires.

How do you make a wood burning fire last longer?

To create long-lasting fires, add more wood gradually as needed. Avoid overloading the fire pit, which can cause the flames to burn quickly and die down. Instead, maintain a consistent supply of wood to sustain the fire over time.

What does keep the flame burning mean in work?

As employees, this means that to avoid or deal with burnout, rather than wishing for the people and circumstances around us to change, we can change how we are managing our stress, make sure we are taking care of ourselves and replenishing our energy.

What is the difference between kindling and Tinder?

Tinder must be easily lit with a lighter, match, or spark and must be 100% dry. We suggest dry pine needles, dry grass, or pine cones. Kindling is usually anything smaller than a pencil. Look for small, dead, twigs on the ground but never deface a living tree or shrub to build your fire.

Why does my fireplace keep go out after a few minutes?

Other reasons your gas fireplace may keep going out include a cracked gas line, a faulty thermopile, or a blocked chimney. A cracked gas line may be caused by corrosion of the pipe material to the line. A faulty thermocouple may need to be replaced if it is not sending the correct signals to your gas valve.

Why does a fire always burn itself out eventually?

The fire may burn itself out without involving other items of combustible material, particularly if the item first ignited is in an isolated position. If there is inadequate ventilation, the fire may self-extinguish or continue to burn at a very slow rate dictated by the availability of oxygen.

How to get a fire to stay lit?

To keep a fire burning outside, start by adding good tinder, like newspaper or dry leaves, and kindling, like dried twigs or thin pieces of wood. Then, add dry firewood to keep it going strong. Additionally, make sure your fire has enough ventilation, preferably from all sides.

Previous article
Why does refrigerant boil in the evaporator?
Next article
How do I get more texture with limewash?