Post by Tumbleweed on Feb 14, 2008 21:42:17 GMT -6
In order to build the most efficient and safe fire in your fireplace or wood stove you must place your kindling in the center of your fire grate. Now take a split log in each of your hands and make a T-pee like this / \ with the top of the T-pee touching the back of the fire place and a small gap at the back to allow air circulation. Now place a log across the two T-pee logs far back into the fire place. You may place a 2nd log across the T-pee directly in front of the other one with a small gap between them. Now your ready to light it up and you'll have a great rip-roaring fire that directs the heat toward you but keeps the smoke toward the back.
I want to thank the first site I ran across with these instructions, however, as I searched on to see what others thought I found many other sites saying basically the same thing so I'm not sure where the credit is due so I'll thank the first site, Mother Earth News.
Now that you know how to build a fire be sure you use a hard wood that is dry or seasoned for at least 6 months. Better yet use last years logs. This will make a very hot fire and hot fires will reduce the times you have to open the stove door and add more wood and a hot burning fire reduces creosote.
Do not burn green wood and avoid toxic woods such as plywood or pressed wood. Do not burn cardboard or paper except when you are starting your fire - you may use a piece of twisted newspaper. If you aren't certain if your wood is "seasoned" there is a simple visual test. The outer wood should be very dark and when split is very white on the inside.
Please be safe. Make sure your fire alarms are working. Don't leave a fire burning over night or leave it unattended. Be sure you have your chimney cleaned regularly and if you have an older home please have it inspected before building a fire.
Oh, and don't forget on Christmas Eve please make sure all the hot coals are out for Santa.
I want to thank the first site I ran across with these instructions, however, as I searched on to see what others thought I found many other sites saying basically the same thing so I'm not sure where the credit is due so I'll thank the first site, Mother Earth News.
Now that you know how to build a fire be sure you use a hard wood that is dry or seasoned for at least 6 months. Better yet use last years logs. This will make a very hot fire and hot fires will reduce the times you have to open the stove door and add more wood and a hot burning fire reduces creosote.
Do not burn green wood and avoid toxic woods such as plywood or pressed wood. Do not burn cardboard or paper except when you are starting your fire - you may use a piece of twisted newspaper. If you aren't certain if your wood is "seasoned" there is a simple visual test. The outer wood should be very dark and when split is very white on the inside.
Please be safe. Make sure your fire alarms are working. Don't leave a fire burning over night or leave it unattended. Be sure you have your chimney cleaned regularly and if you have an older home please have it inspected before building a fire.
Oh, and don't forget on Christmas Eve please make sure all the hot coals are out for Santa.