Fireplace and winter season - the two terms seem to be almost inseparable. In fact, winter without fireplace is something that hardly any one of us would look forward to. On a cold winter evening, besieged by snow, sitting in front of the fireplace seems so blissful. However, to experience this bliss, you first need to start a fire in the fireplace. The process is not very difficult, though you need to follow the proper procedure and take necessary precautions. Otherwise, you might end up filling the house with smoke. In the following lines, we will provide you the correct ways to start a fire in fireplace.
How to Start a Fire in a Fireplace
- First of all, you need to make sure that damper in the fireplace is open.
- Next, you will be required to ensure that the draft, (air moving in the chimney), is going up. If it’s not, you need to find ways to make it move up.
- Get wood and kindling for setting up the fire.
- Place crumpled up newspaper under the grate, while the kindling will go on the grate first.
- Next, you will stack your wood on top.
- When you stack wood in the fireplace, place it horizontally. At the same time, leave enough space to allow the air to pass.
- If you are planning to stack several layers of wood, be sure to alternate them in such a way that the stack looks like a mesh.
- The maximum height of the wood stack should be 2/3rd of the height of the fireplace.
- Once again check that the draft is working correctly. Otherwise, you will end up filling your house with smoke.
- Now, burn the kindling and the newspaper. It is always advisable to light fire from above, as it will cut down the amount of harmful material released from fire.
- Your fire is ready!
Some Tips
- Kindling refers to the small sticks or shards of wood, used to start a fire.
- Always use dry wood for your fire.
