Wood Stove Break-In Guide: First Fires, Curing Paint, and What to Expect

Author: Sean Summers, NFI Master Hearth Certified Technician – WoodstovePro.com

Bringing home a new woodstove is exciting—until the first burn surprises you with smoke-like odors, a hazy look on the glass, or a strong “hot metal” smell. 

Don’t worry: most of what you’ll notice during the first few burns is completely normal. A proper wood stove break-in helps the stove’s paint and components cure correctly, reduces long-term issues, and sets you up for safer, cleaner performance.

Here’s what to expect, how to do your first fires, and the best stove tips for a smooth start.

Why does a new woodstove need a break-in?

Manufacturers coat many stoves with high-temperature paint and use materials that need to “settle” during the first heat cycles. A controlled wood stove break-in gradually brings the stove up to operating temperature so:

• High-temp paint cures evenly
• Oils or manufacturing residues burn off safely
• Internal components expand and seat properly
• You reduce the risk of discoloration or paint issues

Think of it like breaking in a new engine—steady heat cycles now help your stove perform better later.

What is the curing paint smell—and is it normal?

The curing paint smell is one of the most common surprises during a first burn. As the stove heats up, the factory paint and protective coatings cure and may release a noticeable odor (sometimes described as hot metal, chemicals, or “burning paint”). This is typically normal for a new stove.

What you might notice:

• Strong odor during the first few burns
• Light haze in the room (in some cases)
• Smoke-like smell that fades as the stove cures

Best practice: ventilate well (open a window, run fans) during break-in burns. If the smell is overwhelming or doesn’t improve after a few burns, stop and contact a professional to confirm everything is installed and drafting properly.

First fire tips: how to break in your wood stove the right way

Always follow your stove manufacturer’s manual—break-in steps can vary by model. In general, most stoves do best with a few controlled fires that gradually increase heat.

1) Confirm draft and safe setup first

Before lighting, verify:

• Venting is installed correctly
• Damper/air controls move freely
• Smoke and CO detectors are working
• No combustibles are too close (double-check clearances)

These first fire tips help prevent rookie mistakes.

2) Start with a small fire

Build a small kindling fire with a few small splits. Keep it modest and let it burn for a short session. The goal is a gentle warm-up—not a roaring fire.

3) Let the stove cool completely

Cooling is part of the break-in process. A full cool-down between burns helps the stove and paint cure in stages.

4) Do a medium fire next

Use slightly larger splits and let the stove reach a moderate temperature. You may notice more curing paint smell on this second burn—this is common.

5) Finish with a normal operating fire

After a couple of smaller cycles, you can move into a normal fire using seasoned wood and your typical burn routine. At this point, odors should start to fade noticeably.

What should I expect during the first few burns?

A new woodstove can behave a little differently at first. Here’s what’s usually normal:

• Curing odor that decreases over time
• Paint that looks slightly different after the first heat cycles
• Some “ticking” sounds as metal expands and contracts
• A bit of soot on glass until you learn the stove’s sweet spot

What’s not normal:

• Smoke spilling into the room
• Persistent strong odor after several burns
• Difficulty establishing draft
• Excessive black, lazy smoke from the chimney

If any of these happen, stop using the stove and have the venting and draft inspected.

Stove maintenance starts on day one

Great stove maintenance habits begin early. During the first week:

• Burn only properly seasoned wood (under 20% moisture)
• Avoid smoldering fires (they increase soot and creosote)
• Keep the ash level manageable—don’t let it choke airflow
• Watch the chimney for excessive smoke (a sign of poor burn)

A clean, hot burn helps your stove stay efficient and reduces creosote buildup from the start.

Pro stove tips for a smoother break-in

• Ventilate during the first few burns (windows + fans)
• Keep pets/kids away from the stove—surfaces get extremely hot
• Don’t overfire a new stove trying to “get it going”
• Use dry wood only—wet wood makes break-in smoky and messy
• Follow the manual—it’s written for your exact model

Final thoughts

A proper wood stove break-in is one of the best things you can do for your new woodstove. It helps the paint cure correctly, reduces issues down the road, and gets you comfortable with burn control. Expect some curing paint smell early on—then enjoy cleaner, easier burns as the stove settles in.