Making A Good Fireplace Fire

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It is important to start with the right kind of wood whether you are building a fire in a fireplace or a woodstove. Seasoned wood, logs that have been cut and allowed to dry out for six months or more will burn cleaner and give off more heat than green wood which still has a high water content. Two pieces of dry, seasoned wood will make a ringing tone when struck together, green logs will thud. Softwood such as pine, spruce or hemlock ignites quickly and is good for getting a fire started. Hardwood such as maple, oak, ash or birch burns more slowly and keeps a fire going.

To build a fireplace fire remember to always lay it on a grate or over a pair of andirons to allow air to circulate and feed the fire. To get more air at the fire, slide the grate forward toward the room slightly but not so much that smokes much that smoke enters the room. You can also improve circulation by setting the legs of the grate on fire bricks. Crumple newspaper into balls and set the balls under the grate or between the andirons. Pile kindling, small pieces of dry wood preferably softwood on the grate first then add several light logs which are 3 inches or less in diameter or pieces of split wood. Top this layer with two or more full-sized logs. Lay the logs with enough space between them for air to circulate but close enough together that they can ignite each other. When you are ready to start the fire, open the damper wide and put a match to the newspaper. Once the fire is established close the damper down a bit, taking care that smoke does not enter the room. You can now add more logs, adjusting their spacing with a poker or fine tongs.

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