Fire Starting Challenged

[Catrin]

In my new apt I have a real wood-burning fireplace I have no problems, of course, getting a firelog such as Duralog to burn. The problem is getting real wood to burn - I have to be doing something wrong. With all of our talented women here, I am sure that someone can tell me what step I am missing. I have tried two ways:

Attempt 1:

Purchased little package of "fire starter" kindling from the store. Purchased little bundle of wood from the store.

1. criss-crossed several layers of the kindling, set that on fire
2. once this was going well, put log on top using my fireplace tongs
3. it LOOKED like it was burning, saw embers in the wood...but when the flames from the kindling died away all that was left was the embers in the log and it was well charred - but not burning. Kept this log for attempt 2

Attempt 2:

1. Started a Dura-Crackleflame log on fire. Nice flame!
2. When that started to die down and fall apart, I laid the above log on the firelog. Once again, it seemed to be on fire - and indeed seemed to burn a little on its own once the Duralog died down to embers. Still a good amount of the wood is left - I won't be keeping it for a third attempt.

So what am I missing? Am I trying to make too large a leap in the size of wood that I am adding to the fire? I thought that since there was enough kindling in attempt one to create a roaring fire that it would be hot enough to set the larger log off - but apparently not.

My fireplace does draw very well, no smoke escapes into the apt and I have the damper wide open. My asthma would tell me if unseen smoke were getting into the apt...

What am I missing?

[OakLeaf]

You can't just put one log on top or there's nothing to create a draw.

Make the pyramid before you even light it, not only with your kindling but also with some medium to large sized wood.

Doesn't have to be a teepee style pyramid, you can stack the wood loosely the same way you would in a woodpile. Little kindling sticks in the middle/bottom, then stuff crumpled newspaper and/or chunks of the waxed sawdust throughout. But make sure there are some cross patterns to allow air to draft through.

Don't add any wood until it's really going.

Your "big log" is split and cured, right? Bark, and the layer immediately inside the bark, don't burn well. (And make sure you're using locally harvested wood - emerald ash borers are spreading fast.)

[lph]

By eyeballing my memory (how's that for a catchy phrase) I'd say you can escalate with wood 2, 3 or maybe 4 times the size, but not more. If all you have are biggish pieces either split them completely or use a knife to splinter one edge ragged, and set them "standing" to let the flames lick along the edge. Smooth surfaces catch fire less easily, because there's less air going around, I presume.

[Irulan]

Patience also, feed it carefully. With a fireplace, the chimney is cold and has to get heated up to draw properly.

Is the flue open all the way? Just checking.

Some fireplaces are more ornamental than useful and they certainly aren't heat efficient no matter what.

[Catrin]

You can't just put one log on top or there's nothing to create a draw.

Make the pyramid before you even light it, not only with your kindling but also with some medium to large sized wood.

Doesn't have to be a teepee style pyramid, you can stack the wood loosely the same way you would in a woodpile. Little kindling sticks in the middle/bottom, then stuff crumpled newspaper and/or chunks of the waxed sawdust throughout. But make sure there are some cross patterns to allow air to draft through.

Don't add any wood until it's really going.

Your "big log" is split and cured, right? Bark, and the layer immediately inside the bark, don't burn well. (And make sure you're using locally harvested wood - emerald ash borers are spreading fast.)

I had just made the pyramid with the kindling - and the log did indeed have remaining bark. I did have criss-cross several layers of kindling, and when I added the larger log I had a very strong fire going from the kindling that was drawing very well. It sounds like my log was probably just plain too large.

Patience also, feed it carefully. With a fireplace, the chimney is cold and has to get heated up to draw properly.

Is the flue open all the way? Just checking.

Some fireplaces are more ornamental than useful and they certainly aren't heat efficient no matter what.

I don't do it really for heat, just for enjoyment.The flue was indeed open all the way.

By eyeballing my memory (how's that for a catchy phrase) I'd say you can escalate with wood 2, 3 or maybe 4 times the size, but not more. If all you have are biggish pieces either split them completely or use a knife to splinter one edge ragged, and set them "standing" to let the flames lick along the edge. Smooth surfaces catch fire less easily, because there's less air going around, I presume.

This is a good idea, hadn't considered it. Perhaps I should invest in a small hatchet to work with the wood I find. I did get it from the store and have no idea where the wood came from. Am looking for a more economical and local source. The Duralogs are fine, but only last a little under 2 hours.

I haven't made a fire in a long time, as I find it just makes the rest of my house colder. But, usually, I roll up a few pages of newsprint under the kindling and light that to start the fire.

This is what I did and it worked - thanks!

Thanks everyone - you have given me ideas for next weekend. Until then still have 5 duralogs that I can use this weekend and I won't use all of them.

[Norse]

Just a note of caution about Duralogs and similar products - they have a chemical that sticks to the insides of your chimney and will require more frequent chimney sweep visits to prevent chimney fires. We just use the firestarter (small little blocks that you break off as needed), kindling and the cross-stacking approach. Also, oak and hickory are the best (highest BTUs) for wood burning fireplaces and the high heat also helps keep the chimney clean. Hope you have many warm, cozy fires this season!

[Crankin]

I haven't made a fire in a long time, as I find it just makes the rest of my house colder. But, usually, I roll up a few pages of newsprint under the kindling and light that to start the fire.