How To Build A Smoke-Free Fire

No one wants to be the one sitting in front of the stream of smoke. It isn’t enjoyable, the endless coughing and fanning the smoke away. Have no worries, with a little insight, you too can have a smoke-free fire. Here are a few tips on what you need to do.

What does a Fire Crave?

When building a fire in your wood burning fireplace or insert, understand that in order to burn effectively, a fire needs fuel, oxygen, and heat. The fuel, wood, for this example, must be set on fire by a heat source.  The fire requires oxygen to feed the flames. Oxygen comes from the air around us. If these three items are compromised, you may have a smoking fire. Smoke comes when there is poor air flow, not enough heat from the heat source, and fuel that won’t catch. 

What Is The Best Fuel For Your Fire?

When building a fire, the fuel or wood you burn is crucial to the quality of the fire. If you cut your own wood, be sure that it is fully cured or seasoned. Fresh-cut wood needs to be seasoned for about 6 months to a year. Burning wet wood will only bring you a smoky fire. Check your wood by smelling it. If you are smelling damp or freshly cut wood, know that it will not burn well. When you start a fire and add wet or uncured wood to it, and it sizzles like a pan of bacon, you know that it is too wet and will not burn.

The best wood for your fire is a hardwood such as oak, maple, or hickory. These woods burn slowly and produce more heat. They create less smoke as well as creosote buildup than softwood. 

Try to avoid using softwood such as pine for the main fuel source. Instead, use these in small pieces for kindling as they ignite quickly. 

Air Flow

When building your initial fire and throughout the burning phase, be sure to situate your wood in either a teepee format or a checkerboard. This will allow the air/oxygen to circulate throughout the wood, creating the airflow needed to start your fire and keep it burning.

Safety First

Here are some safety tips to follow when having a fire. 

• Have a bucket of water close by, especially if you are outdoors. 
• Indoors, always have a fire extinguisher within the home.
• Keep flammables away from the fire.
• Don’t allow children or pets to run around the fireplace.
• Install smoke alarms in your home and test them regularly.

A fireplace can be a great addition to any family gathering. Enjoy it and use these tips for smoke-free enjoyment.

When you are ready for your annual inspection and chimney sweep, contact Felgemacher Fireplace Shop.

We are a third-generation chimney and fireplace company, dedicated to giving you the best quality and craftsmanship in Western New York.

We currently look at over 2000 chimneys each year and can give you the confidence that we are educated on every aspect of your chimney. Our owners are certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America, National Fireplace Institute, and National Chimney Sweep Guild, yielding the highest quality of expertise for our customers.