How to Start a Fire in a Fireplace

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 know how 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 too. 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 Light 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, make sure 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 the fire from above, as it will cut down the amount of harmful material released from fire.
Your fire is ready to warm your house!

Tips

Kindling refers to the small sticks or shards of wood, used to start a fire. Ensure that you make use of only the sufficient amount of kindling, to get the fire going.
You can substitute the kindling with commercial fire starters or pieces of dry fatwood. Never make use of burning pine for kindling, because it might set up the conditions for a chimney fire.
Always use dry wood for your fire. You can opt for dry hardwood, such as oak, maple, cherry or hickory. The wood pieces should be about 4 inches on each side. Ideally, firewood is dried for as long as one year.
Never place inflammable liquids near your fireplace.
Do not burn plastics, color painting, gift-wraps or magazine covers in the fireplace, because they may emit toxins, which might in turn trigger breathing problems.
Safeguard yourself and your family from fireplace accidents, by making use of fireplace screen or spark arrestor in front of the fire. You can get fireplace screens in a number of designs.

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