How to Start a Fire in a Fireplace
Longing for the coziness of a fire? Follow these tips for a safe and successful experience.
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You Will Need
- A fireplace
- An axe
- Softwood
- Hardwood
- Matches
- Newspaper
Steps
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Never use charcoal lighter, kerosene, or gasoline to start a fire in a fireplace.
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Step 1
Use an axe to split the softwood into foot-long, inch-wide strips for kindling. Crack the hardwood into large pieces. Place the wood by the fireplace.
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Use only dry wood, and avoid wood from chestnut trees, which can throw embers.
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Step 2
Clean your fireplace thoroughly and remove all ashes.
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Step 3
Lay out the kindling in a cross pattern or pyramid on a spread of newspaper.
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Step 4
Reverse air flow in the chimney by rolling a newspaper cone and lighting it like a torch. Hold it in the chimney for a minute. This creates an upward draft.
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Step 5
Touch an ignited match to opposite ends of the paper. The kindling will be enveloped in fire within 10 minutes.
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Step 6
Maintain the fire at a slow, constant temperature once the kindling catches by placing the large pieces lengthwise or crossed above the kindling. Add more wood as needed.
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Step 7
Settle in and cozy up to the fire with a good book or that special somebody!
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The tallest chimney in the world reaches a height of 1,410 feet.
