Fire Starting Challenged

[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!

[alpinerabbit]

my favorite lighter-helpers are wine corks (watch out you don't mix one of hte plastic types in) soaked in spirit for a few days to weeks. Just always keep a few in a mason jar full of spirit.

2-3 of these will get your fire going.

[tulip]

1. Make sure it's sufficiently cold outside. A chimney won't draw on a warm day.

2. crack a window near the fireplace to start the fire. This will correct the negative pressure and help the chimney draw.

3. build your pyramid with newspaper, kindling, and logs as described elsewhere in this thread.

4. twist some newspaper and light it and wave it around as far up in the chimney as you can reach. This will warm the chimney and start the draw.

5. light your fire; make sure the window nearby is cracked. You can close the window if you want after the fire is going.

Make sure your wood is properly seasoned and dry.

I'm heating with my wood/coal stove for the second winter, and so far it's fabulous. I was originally going to use it for backup heat, but I like it so much that I use it anytime it's in the 30s or below. Up to know, that has meant only at night for a few weeks, but this week it's high in the 30s every day. Wood stoves are much more efficient than open fireplaces, but fireplaces are so nice to watch.

[Becky]

Wood stoves are much more efficient than open fireplaces, but fireplaces are so nice to watch.

Our wood-burning fireplace insert is the best of both worlds. Super efficient and easy to burn in, but with the beauty of an open fire.

We'll be able to heat the entire first floor and a good chunk of the second with it (and a fan or two!) once it gets cold, and that makes me happy

[Catrin]

Thanks for the tips everyone - and I did not know that about Duralogs. I will finish up what I have and then focus on getting a real fire going. Pity I do not/cannot drink wine because that sounds like a nice thing to do with the corks. My body doesn't like the sulfides in wine - it isn't a pleasant experience to drink it... Good beer is quite another story

[Becky]

Good beer is quite another story

Just buy beer with corks in the bottles

Anything from Brewery Ommegang comes to mind....

[Norse]

my favorite lighter-helpers are wine corks (watch out you don't mix one of hte plastic types in) soaked in spirit for a few days to weeks. Just always keep a few in a mason jar full of spirit.

2-3 of these will get your fire going.

Thanks for the great idea! Saves $ on firestarter and no more wine corks in the trash.