Rumors abound that if a wood stove gets hot enough, it may explode. Obviously this is something you’d like to know before putting one inside your house, right?
Assuming you’re using the stove properly according to manufacturer instructions, is it possible for a stove to actually explode? I decided to take a closer look and here’s what I found.
A wood stove is highly unlikely to explode in the true sense of the word when used properly. Flareups that look like small explosions inside the stove can occur due to flashovers. Only use approved materials in the stove and don’t add more wood than what it is designed for.
Below we’ll take a look in more detail at various aspects of wood stove ownership you should know about including discussing flashovers, overheating, carbon monoxide dangers, and other health-related concerns you may experience.
What is a flashover in a wood burning stove?
A flashover in a wood burning stove looks like a small explosion where every combustible thing in that enclosed space ignites and catches fire almost simultaneously. A flashover typically occurs when the top of the enclosed area of the stove exceeds 1,100° F.
In a wood burning stove which is fully enclosed with the door sealed shut, it may appear as flashes of flames hitting the top of the stove’s inner surface. You may also experience smoke seeping out of the door too as it has nowhere else to quickly escape to.
How can you correct this and also prevent it from happening in the first place?
You likely need to open the air lever (flue) slightly and allow more air into the stove. Also only use dry wood as damp wood can produce more smoke. Ensure that you don’t pack the stove with too much combustible material i.e. wood.
Make sure your chimney is cleaned, too. A blocked chimney can prevent smoke and gases from escaping which can be dangerous.
A backdraft may create a large fireball resembling an explosion
A backdraft is another issues you may face with a wood burning stove.
A backdraft occurs when exhaust and oxygen that normally goes up the chimney and exits the house reverses direction and is suddenly introduced into the fire. In this case the fire has been starved of oxygen and then suddenly receives the backdraft which increases the air supply.
Suddenly, a fire that was starved of oxygen and looks like it might die out will quickly explode into a much larger one.
It’s a phenomenon that firefighters have to be careful for when entering a building as opening a door can allow oxygen into a room that was otherwise starved of it, creating a large fireball.
A downdraft may produce large amounts of smoke
A downdraft is another concern that you might face with a wood burning stove. It won’t resemble an explosion but can introduce large amount of smoke into the fireplace and your home rather than the smoke going up the chimney like it should.
A downdraft may occur for several reasons:
Poor drafting in the chimney which is limiting airflow up the chimney.
Solution: Have your chimney inspected and cleaned.
Wrong size chimney i.e. not high enough, not wide enough.
Solution: Have your chimney inspected to ensure it is sufficient.
Strong negative air pressure in the home.
Solution: Crack a window open in the house but also consider looking for a more permanent solution with an inspection if it’s an ongoing problem. It may also depend where you locate your wood stove, like if it’s installed in the basement.
A cracked, broken or otherwise malfunctioning damper.
Solution: Newer wood stoves generally don’t have dampers but older ones do. Have the wood stove inspected to ensure nothing needs to be repaired if you have a damper.
Problem with the chimney cap impeding air flow.
Solution: Have it inspected to see if it’s broken or if you need to replace it.
Multiple exhaust fans running in the house.
Solution: Turn off exhaust fans and even your dryer if you have them operating at the time as they can impact airflow in the home.
A windy day.
Solution: If you find that you can’t light your stove without smoke entering the home on windy days, it’s possible your chimney is too short. Get it inspected by a professional to be sure. Depending on where you live, a chimney is usually built at least 2′ higher than any object within 10′ such as a roof and the higher the chimney (within reason) the better at pulling smoke from the house which is what you want.
What happens if a wood stove gets too hot?
A phenomenon called over firing may occur which is when the internal temperature of the wood burning stove exceeds the designed limit as set by the manufacturer.
Over firing occurs when you operate your wood stove at a temperature above its designed capabilities. This typically means overloading it with wood and/or providing it with too much oxygen which increases the fire and thus the temperature.
When this occurs, you can badly damage the stove including warping the top of the stove area called the throat. It may also be referred to as the baffle plate. Since over firing isn’t typically include in your warranty, the cost to fix or replace your stove will be yours.
If you notice red discoloration on your steel throat plate, this is an indication of over firing.
What maximum temperature can your stove withstand?
How much wood can it hold?
Each wood stove is designed differently so check your owner’s manual to be sure.
Is it safe to leave a wood stove burning at night?
It’s not recommended to leave a wood burning stove burning overnight for the same reason that you never leave any fire burning unguarded: It’s a fire hazard.
You should never leave the fire unattended with the air level wide open and you also shouldn’t leave wood so close to the stove that it can be heated to the point of catching fire.
While you may read that it’s acceptable to leave a wood stove burning at night or otherwise unattended when certain rules are followed, it remains a fire hazard.
And as we’ll see below, if something goes wrong and the venting fails, a wood that is still burning can become a health hazard. First we’ll talk a bit about what manufacturers of wood stoves do to make their products safer.
Major wood stove manufacturer safety features
Part of learning about stove safety is to learn about the major wood stove manufacturers and what safety options exist. This way you can compare models and see what each offers in the way of safety features that you want.
Below in the table are some major wood stove manufacturers along with the safety features that each are known to have.
| Manufacturer | Safety and Security Features |
|---|---|
| Vermont Castings | Air wash system, automatic thermostatic operation, and efficient combustion for reduced creosote buildup. |
| Lopi | Advanced safety features include bypass dampers for smokeless loading and a single-lever air control. |
| Napoleon | High-temperature ceramic glass and various safety mechanisms, including secure door latching and a fire screen. |
| Jotul | Air wash systems, non-catalytic clean burn technology, and various safety features for secure operation. |
| Regency | Air wash system for clean glass, secure door latching, and advanced burn technology for safety and efficiency. |
Please check with each manufacturer for the specific safety features offered in their current wood-burning stove models, as these features may change over time.
While each of the listed safety features are self explanatory when it comes to latches, fires screens and things of that nature it’s likely the air wash system might not be as well known.
Since we referred to the popular air wash system multiple times in the table, it’s probably worth spending a bit of time explaining it in more detail and how it benefits you the stove owner.
Air wash systems provide several benefits
An air wash system in a wood-burning stove is a feature designed to keep the stove’s glass window or door clean during operation. It works by directing a controlled flow of air over the inside surface of the glass. This air stream helps prevent soot, creosote, and other combustion byproducts from sticking to the glass, ensuring that you can enjoy a clear view of the fire inside the stove.
This feature not only adds to the aesthetics of the stove but also makes it more efficient, as a clean glass surface allows more radiant heat to pass through and into the room. Additionally, it can reduce the need for frequent cleaning and maintenance of the glass, making the stove more user-friendly.
Can you get carbon monoxide poisoning from a wood burning stove?
You can get carbon monoxide poisoning from any stove that burns wood, pellets or other combustible material. This is why stoves and fireplaces of this kind must be vented outdoors.
It’s another reason why you shouldn’t leave a wood burning stove burning overnight or unattended for long periods.
A wood stove can smoke inside the house for a number of reasons that introduce CO in your home. It’s possible that your chimney is too short and it’s having trouble pulling smoke out of your home.
If you find that the stove smokes when you start it up in the morning, it’s possible the cold outside weather has made the stove interior too cold. Open the stove door and let it heat up for 30 minutes before starting the fire.
While a wood burning stove has a tightly shut door that should be closed when in use, they can develop leaks and it’s also possible that the stove might not vent properly. This is another reason why getting your wood stove serviced by a professional before the heating season is highly important.
For safety sake, install a carbon monoxide detector
to alert you if there is a CO problem. Don’t install the CO detector over top or near the wood stove as it can produce false alarms.
What is the lifespan of a wood burning stove?
A wood burning stove can typically last 10 – 20 years or more. If you have a wood burning stove that is older than this, understand that newer models now have to adhere to stricter emission standards than before.
Over time and with use, various parts of the stove can wear out to the point where replacement is the best option. But there is a reason why the lifespan of a wood burning stove should also be measured in terms of its age.
In 2015, the EPA introduced strict new rules that among things reduced the allowable amount of particulate matter (PM) produced by a new wood stove to 4.5 g per hour, eventually dropping to 2.5 g per hour 5 years after the effective date of the final rule.
By comparison wood stove limits used to be 30 g of PM per hour so clearly the newer stoves are far more environmentally friendly and thus will produce far less particulate matter that could unintentionally enter the home.
Rollover, flashover and backdraft in a fire simulator
Want to see a visualization of what certain types of problems are often faced by wood stove owners?
The video below shows a homemade fire simulator and examples of what a rollover, flashover and backdraft look like within the confines of a wood stove.
Summary
If you’re looking for more information regarding issues regarding your wood burning stove, consult the manufacturer’s instruction manual or contact the manufacturer directly.
You might secondarily consult a wood stove community to discuss your concerns or issues with other owners, many of whom are experienced with wood burning stoves and may have faced the same problem.
Finally, if you’re interested to learn more about the concept of wood explosions, check out this article called Can Trees Explode? (Answered).