How to Troubleshoot the Lighting on a Harmon Stove

Check to make sure the ash compartment under the wood stove is closed. Open compartments can help prevent fires.

Slide the air control lever to the right to let in as much air as possible. New fires need a lot of oxygen to ignite. If the air duct is closed it may have been preventing your fire from starting.

Open the bypass damper by pushing the lever back. Levers are on the left side of many models. This will open the damper and help prevent smoke from entering the room. If the damper is closed, it may prevent the fire from igniting.

Position the fuel in the center of the firebox. Start by placing dry crumpled newspaper on the bottom of the fireplace, followed by dry pieces of kindling that are no more than 1 inch thick. Place the kindling parallel with spaces between each piece of kindling. Layer 1-to-2-inch wide pieces of wood over the kindling in the same parallel pattern. Layer 2-to-3-inch pieces over these. Ensure that each layer is criss-crossed to allow for air flow.

Preheat the flue by lighting a piece of newspaper and holding it around the flue. This will help encourage the fire to develop.

Light the newspaper on the firebox in several places. This will help ensure that the kindling catches fire. Lighting in only one place may not be sufficient.