Make sure the damper is open before you light the kindling with newspaper. With over 21 years of landscaping experience, TC has worked on projects such as the Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise, Idaho. Small fireplace fires generate less smoke and create less creosote buildup. Finally, stack two larger logs over the kindling, then light the newspaper on fire with a match or lighter. For example, if the fireplace is a high efficiency wood burning unit, a … Newspaper is often the preferred method to safely light your wood fireplace, as it poses little to no risk and it doesn’t stink. He is a Idaho Registered Contractor and a previously Licensed Irrigator in the State of Texas. This is creosote and can be very dangerous if it builds up. How to Improve the Draw of a Wood-Burning Stove to Help It Burn Better. See How to Inspect a Fireplace Chimney. This will stop the air from coming down and pushing the air into your living area. (It. Put the block on the back of the fireplace shovel, light it and place it up inside the fireplace near the flue opening. Stack a few split logs on your grate and place kindling around and below them. You can light a fire in any weather circumstances that you prefer. Its multi-stage temperature controls let you have more heat on a cold day, or just enough heat to take the edge off a crisp autumn day in the Volunteer State. Using the Looftlighter is simple, as long as you plug it in and press the button, lighting your wood fireplace should be a snap. Invest in a pair of fireproof gloves (welding gloves will work) in case a piece of burning wood falls out and you need to retrieve it immediately. The first is known as an air-cooled chimney system. He is the President and Founder of Aqua Conservation Landscape & Irrigation, an Idaho Registered Landscape Business Entity. Light the topmost firelighter and leave the door of your stove ajar. I would recommend getting a chimney cleaning log to burn and consult a professional. How do I start fire in a forge or furnace? Be sure that your chimney and fireplace is properly cleaned and maintained. Generally, opt for smaller logs over larger ones. "This will be my first time ever using a fireplace, so this information is definitely beneficial. Thanks so much for, "I like the straightforward approach. He is the President and Founder of Aqua Conservation Landscape & Irrigation, an Idaho Registered Landscape Business Entity. You can also find small twigs outside. They said to use a hairdryer on it for 30 seconds. Absolutely, leaves, grass, and other papers are good newspaper substitutes. Once the kindling is burning strongly you can add two or … Private consultations available 10-5 Monday - Friday. Leave the flue damper closed at first to allow the fireplace to get to room temperature. They will most likely burn too quickly to do any good and also cause a lot of smoke. I needed, "I thought I knew how to build a fire in the fireplace. Continue stacking smaller pieces of kindling onto the grid, each new levels perpendicular to the last. Any air vents on the stove are fully open. Build an “upside down” fire. Larger logs may look nicer and be more fun to burn, but they have larger surface areas, making them tougher to catch fire. No, it isn't true. Read This First. ", https://www.reference.com/home-garden/can-tell-fireplace-damper-open-closed-7105e3f3d47a2f3, https://www.csia.org/how_chimney_works.html, https://www.highschimney.com/chimney-airflow-problems/, https://food52.com/blog/15667-how-to-start-a-fireplace-fire-and-keep-it-going-strong, https://www.fireengineering.com/articles/print/volume-158/issue-9/features/the-art-of-reading-smoke.html, https://chimneysafety.wordpress.com/2015/01/05/glass-doors-on-the-fireplace-to-open-or-close-csia-has-the-answer/, https://blog.allstate.com/building-fireplace-fire/, http://www.chimneys.com/articles/why-does-my-fireplace-or-woodstove-smoke. They actually differ a great deal. Using a knife, potato peeler or similar tool to shave wood will yield wood shavings that can be easily lit with a match. Everyone loves the coziness and warmth of a crackling wood-burning fire. Do you usually light your wood-burning stove or insert with paper and kindling under the logs? Checking for cracks once per year will ensure that you don't have fire escaping the chimney and lighting the frame of your home. Two logs that are the size of one is almost always preferable. A cold flue can be a common reason why a fire goes out in a wood burning … Check the wind speed. As the smaller wood catches and the fire burns hot, grab a larger, thigh-sized piece of wood. There are several different methods; you can safely use to light your wood fireplace without risking injury to yourself or your home! ", "Helpful article. Using the Looftlighter is simple, as long as you plug it in and press the button, lighting your … Several fire-building methods exist, and all of them have their merits. Small fireplace fires generate less smoke and create less creosote buildup. Get a Screen. You can also try taking off the spark arrestor — sometimes the tops are placed too close to the closed part. As the gas starter runs underneath the grate, the last thing you want to do is use a matchstick or a normal sized lighter to light it, instead use a longer butane lighter. Without proper draw, wood … Wet wood is harder to burn. Keep anything flammable away from the fireplace, such as carpeting, throw rugs, clothing, socks, gloves, newspaper, tinder, kindling, and firewood. 5 out of 5 Customer Rating (1) Item #M37101671 Starting at. Lay a row of smaller logs across the logs that you arranged in the previous step. Gas starters make it easy to start a fire in a wood-burning fireplace. No, starter fluids generate fumes that can be harmful in an indoor environment. #4 Light using starter blocks You can with a propane fireplace insert. You need to have long-lasting fuel, a way to ignite the fire, and some quick-burning ignitable material that can light the long-lasting fuel. How much does my fireplace pilot light cost me. Eliminating creosote buildup (oily soot) from the inside of the chimney will keep you from suffering a chimney fire, which is a terrible thing — very hard to put out, and very destructive. If you're still having trouble getting a good draft on the fireplace, and smoke … You probably did not light the fire from above. I learned how to reverse the cold air, thank you!". Before you light the starter block or wax log, close the damper, place the block on the back of a fireplace shovel, light it and place it inside of the fireplace near the flue opening. 5. Yes, as long as you follow basic safety protocols. The safety tips and pics were great to show kids. To use it simply push the button and place the Looftlighter directly onto smaller pieces of wood or on the newspaper crumpled up between the logs. To use simply place the starter blocks underneath and between two logs and light with a lighter. Starter blocks can be used to warm up the chimney by breaking off a small piece, placing it on a shovel, lighting it and then placing it near the flue opening. This means your chimney needs cleaned in order to prevent a chimney fire. Keep the coals under the grate lit by stirring then with a fire poker as they become covered with grey … If … Keep heavy duty fireplace hand tools near the firebox, such as a poker, tongs, small shovel, and metal bucket to put hot coals in. He is a Idaho Registered Contractor and a previously Licensed Irrigator in the State of Texas. Open a window slightly. You can also use tinder that has sap in it, such as pieces of bark or pinecones. Are there other options? Never leave the fire unattended either, just in case. This cross-bar will hold the other firewood and keep an air vent open where the fire can draw fresh air to feed it from underneath. When there's too much oxygen, the fire has a hard time catching hold of the fuel, and can make more smoke than normal. Use this guide to learn how to light a gas fireplace using a wall switch, control panel or fireplace key. % of people told us that this article helped them. No matter what method you use to light your wood fireplace you need to prime the chimney before you build the fire. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. This article has been viewed 1,383,062 times. If the smoke from the chimney turns black, the fire is not getting enough oxygen. Starter blocks are an easy and quick way to get a fire going inside your fireplace. The key is to get enough tinder under the kindling so that the kindling begins to burn. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Place two smaller logs on top. References To light a fire in a fireplace, start by making sure the damper on the flue is open so that smoke doesn’t come into the house. Don't use too much paper, as flaming scraps can be carried up the flue and onto your roof. Also, make sure you have a fire extinguisher nearby. A gas starter system makes it easy to safely light a fire in your fireplace, as long as it is was installed correctly and is being used properly. For wood-burning zero clearance fireplaces, the distance between the grate and the walls of the firebox is important! Next, stack small kindling wood on top of the newspaper horizontally, leaving gaps for air to pass through. The Looftlighter can be used to prime the chimney, simply press the button, and let the super heated air warm up the chimney. The purpose of venting systems for wood-burning fireplaces and wood stoves seems similar. Air is fuel to a fire. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,383,062 times. How To Light A Fire In A Wood Burning Stove. Cutting your own wood for a fire? Use your fireplace poker to lift the wood stack carefully; just pry it up a little, like jacking up a car. Additionally, leave gaps for air to pass through. Stack the wood at most to half of the height of the fireplace. Put that on top of the fire carefully, being as certain as possible that the stack is not leaning side to side any direction. Wood burning fireplaces can also negatively affect indoor air quality. When building a fire, put the logs toward the rear of the wood-burning fireplace and be sure to use kindling, not flammable liquids, to start the fire. Reverse the trend! Gas starters can be used to light your wood fireplace. For tips from our Landscaping reviewer on getting your fire to burn for a long time, keep reading. Can I use starter fluid in an indoor fireplace? One of the easiest ways to light your wood fireplace is using a Looftlighter, which was originally invented and patented in Sweden, but is now being sold all over the world. Looftlighters are one of the safest ways to light your wood fireplace. The cold air will sink into the chimney, causing the warm air and the cold air to circulate, therefore not allowing any fire to develop. An unbeatable way to light a fire. If the smoke is grey, most of the combustible material is escaping through the chimney instead of burning. Is this true? Once you have built a stack of kindling, place another firelighter on top. Gather the Kindling. If you light your fire like a candle, so from the top, the smoke and fine particle emissions are minimal, and the wood burns more completely. Your fireplace should have a heavy mesh spar resist curtain or other protective piece in front of it. To make the fire really light… Use some roof patch to stick it to the existing chimney. Last Updated: October 8, 2020 Be sure to use dry wood for your fire. Congratulations on selecting a Heatilator wood burning fireplace. Approved. With over 21 years of landscaping experience, TC has worked on projects such as the Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise, Idaho. This step is the most delicate , it is very important to be attentive and not to neglect the fire so that it does not go out. I've been told not to light a fire unless it's 45 degrees or less outside. One of the easiest ways to light your wood fireplace is using a Looftlighter, which was originally invented and patented in Sweden, but is now being sold all over the world. What does it mean if black stuff trickles out when I first open the dampers? The woods should be dry before burning. The bigger wood takes a while to catch fire, but once it does, it will burn a long time without you having to get up and stir it or move it around. Lighting a fire in a fireplace is usually an easy task. Can I use lighter fluid to start a fire in an outside fireplace? #3 Use a Looftlighter Before lighting a fire in a wood burning stove, it’s important to ensure that: The stove and flue are up to temperature. If the cold air is pouring in, use a hair dryer. I was told to prime my fireplace to keep it burning during cold weather. Superior WRT3000 Wood Burning Fireplace by Superior Products. #1 Light safely with a gas starter If you don't have newspaper, you can use other Tinder to create flames. Light the firelighters with a match and then as the kindling takes hold, partially close the door of the stove leaving a gap of about an inch to let in maximum air. Now you have the base ready to light the fireplace, take a match or a lighter, light the fire and close the door. If you have a short chimney, try get a couple of extenders — usually you can get them from fireplace stores, or places where they sell masonry supplies. Once flames appear release the button and pull the Looftlighter back. Favored for its woodsy fragrance and dancing flames, a wood fire brings the outdoors to the fireplace. Wood-burning stoves need adequate air to operate properly. When that day comes, it’ll mean the end of buying, stacking and hauling wood. Converting a Wood-Burning Fireplace into a Gas Fireplace? This article has been viewed 1,383,062 times. Don't use too much, or you'll generate a lot of unnecessary smoke. You strike something sharp against it to create a spark. While newspaper is easy to light, it can be difficult to work with, as it doesn’t always stay in place once lit. Then, crumple 5 pieces of newspaper into bundles and place them on the grate. Close the damper. Opt for softer wood types as well, such as Pine, Fir, Hemlock, Spruce and Cedar. Yes, this is confusing - fire is a delicate balance of air and fuel. I would not recommend it. Anthony "TC" Williams is a Professional Landscaper in Idaho. Use some mesh, like hardcloth over the top of the opening to catch larger sparks and embers, but leave the top off. To start the fire, you need kindling -- smaller pieces of wood that will take flame easily. Take care here — all you need to do is allow some air to get under it. The hairdryer technique works, but it will probably take longer than 30 seconds. information before I got started. That would not be good. If your bed of coals underneath the grate is too high, use the poker to spread them out under the fire, leaving a couple of inches of air space. People who crumple the newspaper into balls and build a fire from the top down have the hardest time getting the newspaper to stay in place, as once it is lit it tends to uncrumple and fall off the kindling. Place a fire screen or metal fire curtain in front of the fire to prevent sparks and fallen … As the name implies, air-cooled systems use air for cooling. Air-Cooled Chimney System. Never use any kind of accelerant, such as lighter fluid, gasoline, or diesel when lighting a fire inside of the house. If people are between the fireplace and window, they will be chilled because the fireplace will start to suck air up. Use starter blocks to light your wood fireplace. Paper bags or old books can also be used as tinder. Next, build a crisscross stack of kindling, and place a firelighter in the centre as you build upwards. Consisting of a tube mounted under the grate, a gas starter uses natural gas to create flames through several small holes along its length. A gel fuel fireplace burning three cans of fuel can raise the temperature in a small room about 10 F. An outdoor gel fuel fireplace or fire pit can provide some warmth for those seated close to the unit, but the overall heat benefit is much smaller than that of a wood-burning appliance. Gather kindling in a variety of sizes (small, medium, and large) for the proper … This article was co-authored by Anthony "TC" Williams. Slowly open your damper again and allow the heat from the starter block to force air up the chimney and reverse the draft. Tinder catches fire first and burns very quickly. Tinder is light, dry material like dry moss, straw, tiny twigs, or newspaper that takes a spark. These flames light the wood; once the wood is well-lit, you can turn off the gas starter. What could have been a nice night by the fire can easily become a smoke filled room. Excellent job! It will start pulling hard from that window, which will create a stream of cold air running between the window and fireplace. The glowing embers will keep things hot, and you should be nice and toasty for a couple of hours this way. (These should be … Anthony "TC" Williams is a Professional Landscaper in Idaho. What you are trying to do is to heat the upper part of the fireplace. Found out l was doing everything wrong! Because of this, some people may forget a few key steps in the process that might help them enjoy their fire better. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Wood burning appliance venting is broken into two primary categories. These are easier to burn. 4. How many you use will depend on how big of a fireplace you have, smaller fires require only one block, while bigger fires can use two to three blocks. Be sure the draft is working correctly before lighting the fire. For example, if the back width of the fireplace is 37 inches wide, the fireplace grate can only measure a maximum width of 31 inches. $3,308.00 Majestic Ashland Wood Burning Fireplace - 36" by Majestic. In this case, 92% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Can dry leaves be substituted for newspaper? Copyright 2012 The Fireplace Place | All Rights Reserved, on How to safely light your wood fireplace, Top 6 Benefits of an Outdoor Fireplace or Fire Pit, Pro Tips for How to Improve Fireplace Heating Efficiency, 5 Most Common Problems With Old Chimneys and How to Avoid Them. Be sure to stack your kindling horizontally. On top of that, this method guarantees success every time! Light the fire and do not neglect it. All sorts of unexpected things can happen — there can be a pocket of moisture or sap inside a log which can cause it to pop with the heat. #2 Light with newspaper By using our site, you agree to our, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/32\/Light-a-Fire-in-a-Fireplace-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Light-a-Fire-in-a-Fireplace-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/32\/Light-a-Fire-in-a-Fireplace-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid123379-v4-728px-Light-a-Fire-in-a-Fireplace-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":288,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"455","licensing":"