Jotul Holliday F445 fire starting - newspapers?

[ronny9r]

We're in the process of getting a Jotul F445, and I've read/heard/watched several opinions on the use of newspaper to start a fire. Some swear by it, and others say to never ever use it. So what does the board think? Any issues with using plain, b&w newspaper in the beginning?
Thanks!!

 

[begreen]

Plain black and white newsprint is ok. If concerned, try 1/4 of a SuperCedar puck. Regardless of choice, good dry kindling helps a lot.

 

[Plynwfire]

Going on my 31st year in the hearth business. Gas, wood, hearth design NFI certified. Absolutely no with newspaper. Although it is great and is an instant flash fire. As some of those particles get up and into the flue system they tend to stick to the side walls. Eventually balling up and plugging the flue causing a flue fire and/or draft issues. Just my opinion.

 

[Wisco Shepherd]

Going on my 31st year in the hearth business. Gas, wood, hearth design NFI certified. Absolutely no with newspaper. Although it is great and is an instant flash fire. As some of those particles get up and into the flue system they tend to stick to the side walls. Eventually balling up and plugging the flue causing a flue fire and/or draft issues. Just my opinion.

Interesting. Can't really see newspaper plugging up a flue. I could see wet wood doing that tho. Maybe you could still read the print when it was stuck to the chimney?

 

[begreen]

Over 30 yrs of wood burning here. If I saw an issue, I would not suggest it. Good dry kindling will take off with a few balls of newspaper, not the whole paper. That said, there are alternatives and if one is burning 24/7, a relight may not be needed for months.

 

[bholler]

I have absolutely never seen any issues caused by newspaper being used, within reason of course

 

[all night moe]

With good dry kindlin, I've never had issues with a couple balled up pages of newspaper.
I've only been burning for 20-25yrs though .....

 

[Todd]

Let us know how the new F445 works out, it’s a great looking stove! I don’t think I’d use news paper in the F445 because there no bypass for the cat. I’d try a clean burning top down fire with kindling and fire starter.

 

[stoveliker]

I believe my manual (or I read someplace...) says that paper with a glossy finish is bad for a cat.
Black and white newspaper is fine.

 

[stoveliker]

Okay, I checked. It says not to burn glossy paper and not burn colored paper.

 

[ronny9r]

Okay, I checked. It says not to burn glossy paper and not burn colored paper.

I hear you, i know the manual says that newspapers are ok too. I'm just hearing, anecdotally like above, that it is unadvisable in the long run, esp how it can impact the cat.

 

[stoveliker]

I think my mfg would know what affects their cats negatively, considering they've been making cat stoves for a long time.

 

[ronny9r]

I think my mfg would know what affects their cats negatively, considering they've been making cat stoves for a long time.

Right, and then the guy who is selling it to me, who owns a jotul for 20+ years, said never use newspaper. I'm not trying to start an argument here, just looking for a few different opinions, and if people have heard the same thing.

 

[bholler]

Right, and then the guy who is selling it to me, who owns a jotul for 20+ years, said never use newspaper. I'm not trying to start an argument here, just looking for a few different opinions, and if people have heard the same thing.

I have heard the same thing yes. And absolutely never seen anything in the field to indicate that any of those concerns are valid. Now of course we are talking about are couple pieces balled up to start a fire not the stove stuffed full that would be a bad idea.

 

[stoveliker]

This is another website with generally good info, and as far as I can tell no conflict of interest.

A non-commercial service in support of responsible home heating with wood - How to Use Newspaper

The Wood Heat Organization was formed to support the public in the responsible use of wood energy in the home. We fulfill our mandate by providing reliable information, by conducting research into wood heating-related issues and by representing the public interest in discussions of policies that...

www.woodheat.org

 

[Todd]

The thing is that news paper or any paper burning can break off and float up with the draft. The new Jotul’s don’t have a cat bypass so those chunks of newspaper could lodge into the cat cells. Once the cat is active I suppose it’ll burn it off but would it eventually build up or cause ash blockage?

 

[stoveliker]

I think the flue arguments (it creates deposits there) may have to do with people trying to light wet wood with (as a result) a lot of newspaper. Assigning the cause of the plug to the wrong aspect (newspaper rather than wet wood).

 

[ronny9r]

Sounds like it won't be a major issue, if one at all. especially since I wont be cold starting very often this season. cant wait to get this thing in and going!

 

[stoveliker]

Regarding Todd s remark, that could be a valid issue.
It would depend on how much draft you have, as too much draft (very tall chimney) has been known to suck fly ash into cats.

 

[kborndale]

I've been using newspaper to preheat the flu and establish a draft with wood stoves and fireplaces my whole life, never had an issue.

 

[begreen]

Page 21 of the F445 manual addresses the question:

Traditional Fire Building
1. Set the primary air control lever in the full open position (to the right). Place several sheets of crumpled newspaper placed directly on the grate. On top of the newspaper, place several pieces of small dry kindling (approx. 1” in diameter) with two to three small logs (approx. 3” to 5” in diameter) on top.

Under top down starting:
4. Place newspaper between the two bottom logs under the kindling. Light the newspaper and close the door. Continue to add kindling and small logs as necessary to build the fire. Keep the air control fully open until the fire is well-established.

If uncomfortable using newspaper, get a box of SuperCedars. Use the code Hearth24 to get a discount. 1/8 to 1/4 piece of the puck will easily ignite dry kindling. Or use a map torch to ignite it.

Super Cedar Firestarters | Manufacturer and distributor of fire starters

Super Cedar Firestarters are for fireplaces, bbq, wood & pellet stoves, survival kits, and outdoor cooking. Our fire starters burn cleaner, hotter & are longer lasting.

www.supercedar.com