How to Build a Wood Fire in a Fireplace

Whether it is a gentle glow on a romantic evening or a cheerful crackle on a wintry afternoon, nothing can add to the mood of a room like a wood fire in a fireplace. Architects are still designing homes with fireplaces, even though open fires are no longer needed to keep a house warm. Use these steps to build a wood fire in a fireplace.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Ashes or sand
• Four wood logs, split, dry and seasoned
• Four to seven sheets of crumpled black and white newspaper
• Two to three handfuls of kindling, an inch thick and 12 to 18 inches long.
• Fireplace matches or butane fireplace lighter

1. Confirm that the flue is open. The flue is the lever that opens and closes the damper, the channel in the chimney through which the smoke travels outside.

2. Make sure that there is a bed of ashes on the floor of the fireplace about 1 to 2 inches thick. If ashes are unavailable, use sand.

3. Take the largest log and place it at the back of the fireplace next to the bricks. This is called the back log.

4. Lay crumpled newspapers and either kindling or fire-starting material in front of the back log.

5. Place another log in front of the newspaper or kindling pile. This is called the fore log.

6. Place a small log diagonally across the back and fore logs. Light the newspaper and kindling pile.

Tips & Warnings

• Fire must have oxygen to continue to flame. Do not over-stuff the fireplace or pack it too tightly. Allow for air movement to keep the flames burning.

• To keep the fire burning, add two logs at a time to allow for the build-up of heat.

• If the fire dies down to embers, reignite by blowing slowly and carefully on the embers. Bellows are a good tool for reigniting embers.

• Always use a screen to prevent hot embers from popping from the firebox.

• Always open the flue when starting a fire in a fireplace. Failing to open the flue can result in smoke in the room.

• Always practice fire safety when using a fireplace. Never get too close to the fire and always have a fire extinguisher available.

• Never allow children or pets near a fire in the fireplace.

• Never leave a fire or glowing embers unattended. Make sure the fire is completely out before leaving it.