Tips for Starting a Fire
Are you using your fireplace for the first time and are unsure of how to start a fire? Are you having issues with smoke drafting back into your house? Make sure you are following these tips for starting a fire.
Prepare your wood properly
Before burning firewood. be sure it is properly dried and seasoned. Wet wood can create excessive smoke which is essentially wasted fuel. To test the moisture level of your firewood, consider using a wood moisture meter. Properly dried wood should have a moisture reading of 20 percent or less.
Prime to flue before you start
Roll up a piece of newspaper, light one end and hold it way up in the damper opening. You might need to burn two rolls of paper. In a minute or so, you will feel the draft reverse as the warm flue gasses start to move up the flue.
Start Small
Start a small fire with dry kindling then add a few pieces of wood to begin.
Your Fire Needs Air
Give the fire plenty of air by fully opening the air controls until it is roaring. Note: If you have new windows or a very well insulated house, you may have to open a window to bring more oxygen into the room.
Burn First
Burn the fire to heat the chimney or flue before adding more wood.
Keep space between the firewood as you add more and maintain a bright, hot fire – Don’t let it smolder
To maintain proper airflow, regularly remove ashes from your fireplace, put them into a metal container with a cover and store it outdoors.
Learn What Not To Burn
Never burn garbage, cardboard, treated lumber or plastics.
These tips should help keep your fire roaring and help prevent you from having a smokey fire.