How to Start a Fire in a Fireplace to Keep Warm on Cold Nights
Starting a fire in a fireplace is fairly easy, but it takes a bit of care. You must have the right tools and equipment, and use quality wood. In addition, you need to remember to keep your fireplace clean and to make sure there are no dangerous accelerants like flammable liquids. Pennerinc will show you the easy way of how to start a fire in a fireplace in this article.
Before you start a fire, you should always check your chimney to see if there are any clogs or cracks in the flue. These gaps and cracks can cause smoke to pour into your home. A new smoke detector can also give you added protection. Make sure your smoke detector is working correctly, and test it monthly. If you need to replace your current battery, be sure to get new ones.
Once you are ready to light the fire, you will need to gather kindling and newspaper. The newspaper can be crumpled up into small bundles or placed on the grate to act as a bed for the tinder. This will help the fire burn quickly. Use a long match or fireplace lighter to ignite the tinder. It can be a good idea to put a metal dustpan in the fireplace to clean up the ash.
The type of wood that you use can determine the length of time the fire will last. Green wood produces more creosote, and can create more smoke. To prevent this, be sure to use seasoned hardwood and avoid green wood. Also, you should always use a minimum of one inch of ash around your fire. Ash helps keep the coals warm and provides insulation.
When putting in the first load of wood, you should be careful to stack your logs in a way that allows the air to flow through. You want to make the fire more efficient by loading it north-south, and you should also consider packing the hearth in a grid fashion.
For a good burning fire, you need to provide plenty of space between the logs and the sides of the grate. Wood burns more rapidly if the space between the logs is at least an inch wide. Keep your stacks no higher than half the height of your fireplace.
If your fireplace has a damper, open the damper completely before you begin the fire. Open it for five to twenty minutes to allow air to circulate between the logs. After you have completed the process, you will be able to enjoy a warm and smoky fire.
The best kind of wood to start a fire in a fireplace is dense. Larger pieces of wood take longer to catch fire, but they are more likely to heat up. Smaller logs are easier to ignite, and will not produce more creosote.
Never leave a fireplace unattended. Check your vents before you go to bed. Be sure to refill the fire as needed and clean up the fireplace after it is finished. Even though the fire itself is not dangerous, it can be a source of smoke and embers, and can damage your fireplace and furniture if you do not take proper care of it.
