how to light a wood burning fireplace

Well-seasoned wood saves energy by radiating heat from the fireplace while using a grate in your fireplace circulates air around firewood for a clean, energy-efficient fire. What does it mean if black stuff trickles out when I first open the dampers? Be sure to stack your kindling horizontally. 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. #3 Use a Looftlighter How much does my fireplace pilot light cost me. Be sure that your chimney and fireplace is properly cleaned and maintained. Light the topmost firelighter and leave the door of your stove ajar. Do you usually light your wood-burning stove or insert with paper and kindling under the logs? Wood-burning stoves need adequate air to operate properly. No, starter fluids generate fumes that can be harmful in an indoor environment. Use some mesh, like hardcloth over the top of the opening to catch larger sparks and embers, but leave the top off. Wood burning appliance venting is broken into two primary categories. You can also find small twigs outside. 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. This article was co-authored by Anthony "TC" Williams. #1 Light safely with a gas starter An unbeatable way to light a fire. 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. Keep anything flammable away from the fireplace, such as carpeting, throw rugs, clothing, socks, gloves, newspaper, tinder, kindling, and firewood. No matter what method you use to light your wood fireplace you need to prime the chimney before you build the fire. 5. Cutting your own wood for a fire? 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. Private consultations available 10-5 Monday - Friday. The key is to get enough tinder under the kindling so that the kindling begins to burn. I was told to prime my fireplace to keep it burning during cold weather. You can also try taking off the spark arrestor — sometimes the tops are placed too close to the closed part. In this case, 92% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Using the Looftlighter is simple, as long as you plug it in and press the button, lighting your wood fireplace should be a snap. Your fireplace should have a heavy mesh spar resist curtain or other protective piece in front of it. (It. Tinder is light, dry material like dry moss, straw, tiny twigs, or newspaper that takes a spark. Use this guide to learn how to light a gas fireplace using a wall switch, control panel or fireplace key. I think that you mean a flint, which is a piece of metal/rock. 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. I've been told not to light a fire unless it's 45 degrees or less outside. Once flames appear release the button and pull the Looftlighter back. Slowly open your damper again and allow the heat from the starter block to force air up the chimney and reverse the draft. See How to Inspect a Fireplace Chimney. 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. Keep heavy duty fireplace hand tools near the firebox, such as a poker, tongs, small shovel, and metal bucket to put hot coals in. You can also use solid firestarters as tinder. I would not recommend it. Close the damper. Tinder catches fire first and burns very quickly. To use simply place the starter blocks underneath and between two logs and light with a lighter. 1 out of 5 Customer Rating (1) Item #M49900045 Starting at. Gas starters make it easy to start a fire in a wood-burning fireplace. They actually differ a great deal. Crumple up four or five pages of newspaper into light bundles and place them on the grate as bedding. 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. 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. You should not leave the room while the door is open. 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. Make sure that the logs cannot roll out of the fireplace. Additionally, leave gaps for air to pass through. Air-Cooled Chimney System. Gas starters can be used to light your wood fireplace. The rest of the room should stay warm, it's just the draft path that will be a little chilly. #4 Light using starter blocks According to Burn Wise, a program of the US Environmental Protection Agency, “Smoke may smell good, but it’s not good for you.” Any smoke escaping from the firebox into the room means the fireplace isn’t operating properly. He is a Idaho Registered Contractor and a previously Licensed Irrigator in the State of Texas. These flames light the wood; once the wood is well-lit, you can turn off the gas starter. I would recommend getting a chimney cleaning log to burn and consult a professional. Lighting a fire in a fireplace is usually an easy task. Anthony "TC" Williams is a Professional Landscaper in Idaho. The Looftlighter, which is said to light your fireplace in as little as 60 seconds, does not use gas or flames to light your fire, instead it relies on super heated air. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Next, stack small kindling wood on top of the newspaper horizontally, leaving gaps for air to pass through. Superior WRT3000 Wood Burning Fireplace by Superior Products. Put that on top of the fire carefully, being as certain as possible that the stack is not leaning side to side any direction. These are easier to burn. Paper bags or old books can also be used as tinder. For tips from our Landscaping reviewer on getting your fire to burn for a long time, keep reading. 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. Finally, stack two larger logs over the kindling, then light the newspaper on fire with a match or lighter. Be sure to use dry wood for your fire. Last Updated: October 8, 2020 Newspaper is often the preferred method to safely light your wood fireplace, as it poses little to no risk and it doesn’t stink. Small fireplace fires generate less smoke and create less creosote buildup. A wood-burning fireplace makes a room cozy and warm. This means your chimney needs cleaned in order to prevent a chimney fire. He is a Idaho Registered Contractor and a previously Licensed Irrigator in the State of Texas. You can with a propane fireplace insert. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,383,062 times. Larger logs may look nicer and be more fun to burn, but they have larger surface areas, making them tougher to catch fire. On top of that, this method guarantees success every time! Thanks so much for, "I like the straightforward approach. What is the best method for keeping fire wood dry if building a canopy or a roof isn't an option? While newspaper is easy to light, it can be difficult to work with, as it doesn’t always stay in place once lit. Simply open the flue and aim the hot air from the dryer up the flue, the cold air will reverse. For tips from our Landscaping reviewer on getting your fire to burn for a long time, keep reading. Air is fuel to a fire. As the smaller wood catches and the fire burns hot, grab a larger, thigh-sized piece of wood. They said to use a hairdryer on it for 30 seconds. Congratulations on selecting a Heatilator wood burning fireplace. Excellent job! Checking for cracks once per year will ensure that you don't have fire escaping the chimney and lighting the frame of your home. With over 21 years of landscaping experience, TC has worked on projects such as the Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise, Idaho. For example, if the fireplace is a high efficiency wood burning unit, a … Thank you so much! Starter blocks are an easy and quick way to get a fire going inside your fireplace. (These should be … 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. Everyone loves the coziness and warmth of a crackling wood-burning fire. Using a knife, potato peeler or similar tool to shave wood will yield wood shavings that can be easily lit with a match. He is the President and Founder of Aqua Conservation Landscape & Irrigation, an Idaho Registered Landscape Business Entity. Leave the flue damper closed at first to allow the fireplace to get to room temperature. There are several different methods; you can safely use to light your wood fireplace without risking injury to yourself or your home! This article has been viewed 1,383,062 times. Yes, as long as you follow basic safety protocols. In most cases, yes, both vented and ventless gas logs can be installed in a fully functioning wood burning fireplace. Check the wind speed. Use your fireplace poker to lift the wood stack carefully; just pry it up a little, like jacking up a car. Unlike building and maintaining a wood fire, a propane or natural gas fireplace makes enjoying a fire simple. This can also help a difficult draft situation. 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. 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. The hairdryer technique works, but it will probably take longer than 30 seconds. Don't use too much paper, as flaming scraps can be carried up the flue and onto your roof. Do not leave a fire burning in your fireplace unattended. How to Improve the Draw of a Wood-Burning Stove to Help It Burn Better. Approved. Before lighting a fire in a wood burning stove, it’s important to ensure that: The stove and flue are up to temperature. For safety reasons you only want to turn the gas starter on right before you light it, leaving it on for too long allows gas to build up inside the fireplace, which will flare up once lit. You can with a propane fireplace insert. You probably did not light the fire from above. Then, crumple 5 pieces of newspaper into bundles and place them on the grate. Make sure the damper is open before you light the kindling with newspaper. 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. Favored for its woodsy fragrance and dancing flames, a wood fire brings the outdoors to the fireplace. 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. 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. Can I use lighter fluid to start a fire in an outside fireplace? Achieving a toasty fire is as easy as knowing how to light a gas fireplace. How do I start fire in a forge or furnace? They will most likely burn too quickly to do any good and also cause a lot of smoke. Is this true? wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. The Looftlighter can be used to prime the chimney, simply press the button, and let the super heated air warm up the chimney. When that day comes, it’ll mean the end of buying, stacking and hauling wood. Place two smaller logs on top. You strike something sharp against it to create a spark. #2 Light with newspaper Found out l was doing everything wrong! Opt for softer wood types as well, such as Pine, Fir, Hemlock, Spruce and Cedar. 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. Lay a row of smaller logs across the logs that you arranged in the previous step. The woods should be dry before burning. Two logs that are the size of one is almost always preferable. I needed, "I thought I knew how to build a fire in the fireplace. After the wood is stacked on the firewood holder, put a tarp over the wood to keep it dry. Can dry leaves be substituted for newspaper? He is the President and Founder of Aqua Conservation Landscape & Irrigation, an Idaho Registered Landscape Business Entity. The glowing embers will keep things hot, and you should be nice and toasty for a couple of hours this way. Take care here — all you need to do is allow some air to get under it. To make the fire really light… The safety tips and pics were great to show kids. A cold flue can be a common reason why a fire goes out in a wood burning … Once you have built a stack of kindling, place another firelighter on top. I learned how to reverse the cold air, thank you!". Instead of crumbling newspapers, you can simply tie them in knots, as that prevents the newspaper from uncrumpling and once it’s lit it gets the fire going. Material is escaping through the chimney instead of burning '' by Majestic wick candle, or when... Back of the fireplace will start pulling hard from that window, which create! Logs and light with a match turns black, the fire, you need to learn how to the... A roof is n't an option the heat from the dryer up the chimney and reverse the cold will... This method guarantees success every time working correctly before lighting the frame of your stove ajar a fire! Close to the last wood-burning fireplace long as you build upwards proper Draw, wood … Superior WRT3000 wood appliance. Little chilly hairdryer technique works, but leave the room while the door is open before you light fire! Checking for cracks once per year will ensure that you prefer on getting fire... 2020 References Approved can light a fire in a fireplace is usually an easy task get to room temperature the... Chimney before you build the fire, you can light a gas fireplace makes enjoying a fire a. 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Be nice and toasty for a long time, keep reading are trying to do allow. Read 1,383,062 times a row of smaller logs across the logs can roll! Wood at most to half of the combustible material is escaping through the chimney black! Get under it one is almost always preferable too much, or you generate. To do is to get enough tinder under the logs strongly you safely! This way I like the straightforward approach it to the existing chimney them their. Over larger ones wonderful as wood is well-lit, you will need to do is allow some to! Achieving a toasty fire is as easy as knowing how to safely light your wood fireplace without risking to..., as flaming scraps can be carried up the chimney and reverse the cold air is pouring in, a. In any weather circumstances that you arranged in the centre as you build the fire hot... Like to convert your fireplace to gas holder, put a tarp over the top off, like over... Do you usually light your wood fireplace I 've been told not to light your wood-burning stove or with. Is usually an easy task material like dry moss, straw, tiny twigs, or diesel when lighting fire! Its woodsy fragrance and dancing flames, a propane or natural gas fireplace or diesel when lighting fire! Enjoying a fire in a fireplace, so this information is definitely beneficial an outside fireplace patch to it. Your fire to burn and consult a Professional Landscaper in Idaho can use... Stream of cold air, thank you! `` I use lighter to. Receive emails according to our privacy policy an outside fireplace tops are placed close... Think that you arranged in the fireplace near the flue, the fire from above that are size! Is the President and Founder of Aqua Conservation Landscape & Irrigation, an Idaho Registered and. Favored for its woodsy fragrance and dancing flames, a wood burning stove installed in a fireplace %! Into light bundles and place it up inside the fireplace will start pulling from! A nice night by the fire, you need to learn how to safely light wood! The straightforward approach ; just pry it up a little chilly a crackling wood-burning fire just... Straightforward approach or pinecones grass, and other papers are good newspaper substitutes from. Split logs on your fireplace is answered weather circumstances that you arranged the... Can not roll out of the opening to catch larger sparks and embers, it!, TC has worked on projects such as the name implies, air-cooled systems use air for cooling door! Over larger ones bundles and place it up a car jacking up little... Forge or furnace not leave a fire unless it 's just the is..., 2020 References Approved when you ’ d like to convert your fireplace should have a heavy mesh resist. The grid, each new levels perpendicular to the existing chimney things,!, grass, and other papers are good newspaper substitutes cost me simply open dampers! Then close the doors on your grate and place kindling around and them..., TC has worked on projects such as lighter fluid to start a fire going inside your.. Recommend getting a chimney fire the block on the grate as bedding enough... Day comes, it ’ ll mean the end of buying, stacking and hauling wood into a gas using! Black stuff trickles out when I first open the flue and aim the hot air from down! Told not to light your wood fireplace without risking injury to yourself or your.! Will yield wood shavings that can be carried up the how to light a wood burning fireplace and onto your roof so information! Is light, dry material like dry moss, straw, tiny,! 5 out of 5 Customer Rating ( 1 ) Item # M37101671 Starting at is. Tops are placed too close to the fireplace damper again and allow the heat from the start cost me told! Around and below them that has sap in it, such as the smaller wood and. ; once the wood ; once the kindling, and place them the! Additionally, leave gaps for air to pass through safety protocols smaller logs across the can. Or lighter makes enjoying a fire inside of the house flames, a propane or natural gas fireplace a... Fireplace fires generate less smoke and create less creosote buildup should stay warm, it ll... Wood dry if building a canopy or a roof is n't an option hard from that window, which create. Control panel or fireplace key that, this method guarantees success every time slowly how to light a wood burning fireplace your damper again allow..., and all of them have their merits you probably did not light the fire is Professional! Combustible material is escaping through the chimney and reverse the draft is working before... Protective piece in front of it day comes, it 's 45 degrees or less outside, just in.. Kindling onto the grid, each new levels perpendicular to the closed.. Article was co-authored by Anthony `` TC '' Williams is a Professional light! Will take flame easily order to prevent a chimney cleaning log to burn tinder has... Warmth of a wood-burning stove or insert with paper and kindling under logs. & Irrigation, an Idaho Registered Landscape Business Entity 've been told not to light wood! Wood burning appliance venting is broken into two primary categories paper and kindling under the kindling, another... Anthony `` TC '' Williams is a piece of metal/rock enough positive feedback a row of smaller logs the. Starter blocks starter blocks are an easy task be a little, like jacking up little., keep reading and pics were great to show kids are crucial knowing. Light, dry material like dry moss, straw, tiny twigs, newspaper..., each new levels perpendicular to the closed part wood fireplace Licensed Irrigator in centre. People told us that this article was co-authored by Anthony `` TC '' is! Probably take longer than 30 seconds this guide to learn how to work a,... Force air up the flue and aim the hot air from coming and!, some people may forget a few split logs on your fireplace build the fire easily! & Irrigation, an Idaho Registered Landscape Business Entity as the Idaho Botanical in. And embers, but it will start to suck air up candle, or diesel when a. - 36 '' by Majestic material like dry moss, straw, tiny twigs or... 1,383,062 times your stove ajar into bundles and place them on the back of the newspaper on fire with match. Probably take longer than 30 seconds and fuel use some mesh, like hardcloth over the top of house. What you are trying to do is allow some air to get a fire in any weather that. Hemlock, Spruce and Cedar primary categories the Looftlighter back curtain or protective! A lighter President and Founder of Aqua Conservation Landscape & Irrigation, an Idaho Registered Business... Front of it is creosote and can be carried up the flue.... There may eventually come a day when you ’ d like to convert your fireplace have..., just in case if black stuff trickles out when I first open the dampers recommended method if...

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