How to Add Wood to a Fire

You're fire is burning in your fireplace. Keeping it blazing can be a challenge. There are several different ways to add wood to a fire, however you do it, you must be sure to follow safety protocols.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Stack one or two pieces of freshly cut, or at least dry, wood in a range of sizes to the fire. Maintain a pyramid cross pattern with the wood. Add hard woods, such as oak or cherry, to maintain a constant temperature in the fire.

2. Use a poker to move logs and reorganize wood. Add newspaper to increase kindling in hard-to-reach areas of the fire.

3. Close screen to lock heat together. Watch when the fire dwindles and repeat.

4. Be aware of hot spots when adding the wood, like the screen. Keep rugs, plastic or flammable objects away from the fire.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't let the fire get too low because it may go out completely forcing you to relight. Try to avoid smothering the fire with the new pieces you add.
• Don't use wood from a chestnut tree because this wood has a tendency to throw pieces of charcoal out from the fireplace as it pops and crackles.