Free template · updated November 3, 2026

Wood stove instructions for guests (template)

A wood stove is the heart of many cabins, and most guests have never run one. The basics are easy to explain: how to open the air control, what to burn, how to add wood and what to do with ashes.

This template gives guests the lighting steps in order, the safety lines that matter (carbon monoxide alarm, clearances, ashes in a metal bucket outside) and what to do if smoke comes into the room. Add a photo of the air control with the open and closed positions marked.

The template

Replace anything in [brackets] with your own details.

Before you light it

Check the carbon monoxide and smoke alarms are working: [Alarm locations].
Open the air control fully: [Where it is and which way is open].
Keep everything that can burn at least [1 metre / 3 feet] from the stove, including clothes, boots and the wood basket.

Lighting the fire

Put in two scrunched sheets of newspaper or a fire starter, then a handful of kindling.
Add two or three small split logs on top, loosely, so air can get through.
Light the paper and leave the door [slightly open for a few minutes / closed].
Once the kindling is burning well, close the door.

Keeping it going

Add one or two logs at a time when the fire has burned down to coals.
Once it's burning well, turn the air control down to [Position] for a steady fire.
Please burn only the dry firewood in [Firewood location]. No paper bags, cardboard, trash, painted or treated wood.
Never use gasoline, lighter fluid or other liquids to start or revive the fire.

Safety

The stove, glass and pipe get very hot. Please keep children and pets away.
Keep the door closed while the fire is burning.
If the stove pipe glows red, close the air control and call us.

Ashes

Ashes stay hot for days. Please put them only in the metal bucket with a lid at [Bucket location], and keep the bucket outside on the ground, away from the house, deck and woodpile.

If something goes wrong

Smoke coming into the room: open the air control fully and a window, and text [Host name] at [Host phone].
A CO or smoke alarm sounds: get everyone outside and call [Local emergency number].

Tips

Mark the air control's open and closed positions with a photo or a small label.
Fit a carbon monoxide alarm in the same room as the stove and near the bedrooms.
Leave a metal ash bucket with a lid and a small shovel; never a plastic bin or paper bag.
Have the chimney swept on schedule and keep the record handy.
Leave enough dry kindling that guests don't go hunting for something to burn.

Put it on one guest page instead of a binder

Keegix turns your welcome book into one link and a QR sign by the door. Upload the binder you already have and AI drafts the page in about a minute, or paste this template in. Free forever for one property.

Upload my binder, free See a sample guest page

Questions

Is it safe to let Airbnb guests use a wood stove?

Many hosts do, with a working carbon monoxide alarm, a swept chimney, a metal ash bucket and clear written steps. Check with your insurer too.

How do I stop guests from overloading the wood stove?

Tell them to add one or two logs at a time and keep the door closed. Leaving only the right size of split wood helps a lot.

How long do wood stove ashes stay hot?

Ashes can hold live embers for several days. That's why they belong in a lidded metal bucket outside, away from anything that can burn.

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