Need help: Fireplace 101

Ok... I am a total newb when it comes to fireplaces and how to properly operate them.

The house I am buying has a fireplace that works. Its wood burning and looks like this (don't mind my inspector).




So my question is... how do I start a fire? How many logs do I use? What kind of logs do I buy? What kind of tools do I need to buy? How do I actually start the fire? How do I put the fire out (say when its time for bed?).

Thanks!

Re: Need help: Fireplace 101

I just found this for you

LINKY

How to start a wood fire
by Craig Issod, [email protected] - - (for tips on Coal Fires, read coaltips)
New- Watch a short movie on how to start a fire in a stove


Seems like a simple thing...just put some wood in the fire, light a match and there she goes -- NOT ! Anyone who regularly fires up their stove or fireplace knows there is much more to it than meets the eye.
I'm not the world's best tennis player.. I can't ski over those big bumps (moguls) and I've never run a marathon -- but I do consider myself one of the world's foremost experts on starting a fire. I was always a pyromaniac...loved those model rockets, fireworks and anything else that would blow up. I never thought any good would come out of my fascination with fire. Thus, I will pass this hard-earned knowledge down to the next generation. We'll cover starting fires in closed stoves and open fireplaces. The basics are the same, however the technique can vary especially after the fire is established.

Ok, lets break this down to a simple series of steps. Each one must be done or the fire will be a bust.

1. Make certain the chimney is drafting upwards. Many chimneys will reverse (cold air falls) when not in use. Open the damper of your fireplace and/or the door of your stove..if you feel a cold draft coming down then your chimney has reversed itself. Keep this in mind and follow step #4 below in order to reverse your chimney.

2. Set the Kindling. Yes, everyone does this differently. Here's the best way. Place firestarters, fatwood or crumpled newspaper (3 or 4 sheets balled up fairly tightly) on the floor or grate of your stove. Place small kindling over the paper or starter...TIP --the more dry, small kindling you have--the easier and better your fire will start. Crisscross the kindling so there is plenty of air space in between each piece. Wood that is packed too tight will not burn properly.

3. Set more Wood. Set larger wood on top of the kindling, and continue to set larger and larger pieces on top until the stove is over 2/3 full. If it's an open fireplace, set one or two layers of crisscrossed or spaced wood on top of the kindling.

4. Countdown - If you determined in step #1 that your chimney was drafting upwards, go ahead an light the newspaper or starter. If you think your chimney has reversed, do the following: If it's an open fireplace, place a piece of balled up newspaper up through the damper..it should stay in place by itself. Light this piece of paper, and watch it --it should warm up the chimney and get sucked upwards. If it does, immediately light the starter or newspaper under your fire..the heat will then warm the chimney quickly so it will not reverse again. If you have a stove, place the piece of balled newspaper as high up in the stove toward the chimney (usually above the baffle plate) as you can get it. Then light it -- it should get sucked upwards and reverse the chimney with it's warmth.

5. Ignition - Assuming that you've lit the starter, stand back for a moment and watch the fire do it's thing. If you have a stove, keep the draft control and damper fully open at first, in fact it may help to keep the stove door slightly open for the first few moments until the fire is caught.

6. Blastoff - The fire should quickly catch and spread through your load of wood. Don't make the mistake of closing your air control or damper soon after you start the fire. it may look good, but until you've warmed the stove up, warmed the chimney and established a good bed of coals (red embers), your fire is not really at critical mass.

7. Mission Accomplished - Keep the fire going..the subject of tending a fire in stoves and fireplaces will be addressed later in other documents, but keep these simple points in mind.
A. Always keep a "flame" on your fire - a smoking or smoldering fire is a cold and inefficient fire..and also produces pollutants and creosote (tar in the chimney)
B. Add more wood before the fire gets too low...this will assure the continuation of your hard-earned fire.
C. Use Dry, Seasoned wood - if your wood sizzles and refuses to light or burn it's probably not ready for prime time --- store your wood in a dry place and cut and split it at least 8 months prior to burning.

8. Other Methods - There are dozens of other ways to start a wood fire. Some suggestions from our site visitors can be found by selelcting the button below. Note: HearthNet has not checked these methods.



*** I think to put out a fire, you want to break it up a bit. Move pieces away from each other and let it die out naturally. *** I guess you could use water but that makes for a mess. Always use a fire guard to protect your floors and rugs from sparks and potential fires. **

Re: Need help: Fireplace 101

I have to ask DH, but I must warn you the 1st couple of times he screwed up and we smoke coming in the house he finally got the hang of it. Also, when was the last time the chimmey was swept? I think that was part of the problem.

Also the carpet right in front of the fireplace can be dangerous. You may want to put title around it if you're going to use it often.

Message edited 9/22/2005 11:42:10 PM.

Re: Need help: Fireplace 101

Yeah my inspector mentioned the carpet issue. He said to put some tile or something different there. 18" around the fireplace I believe is what he said the code was.

The owners told me they have the chimmney serviced 1-2 times a year. So the fireplace supposedly gets a decent amount of use from them.

When I first looked at the house... there was some burnt stuff in there. I asked them what they used... they were like "oh we got ****** one day and we burnt some bills".

Re: Need help: Fireplace 101

My parents used to have a fireplace like that... My dad would always put the logs toward the botom, sticks kinda up on top, and then would shove newspaper into the cracks and crevices to help it burn and spread... that article sounds good for a newbie.. lol... Good Luck!

Re: Need help: Fireplace 101

Thanks for the post & the replies. We have a Fireplace in our new home & I have no clue how to use it. Thanks!

Re: Need help: Fireplace 101

In our condo, we had a wood fireplace. When we moved in, we had it cleaned. The guy showed us how to use it.

Re: Need help: Fireplace 101

Don't forget to close the flu after your fire is out! Critters can come down your chimney

Also, if you're lazy and don't feel like buying a ton of wood, you can buy one of those treated, self-burning logs. You just stick the log in the fireplace and light it up.

Another trick (if you're using regular wood); buy denatured alcohol and something to pour it into - they have these little square trays that I think are made of marble or ceramic. Pour the alcohol in there, put it under your wood grate, and light it. The denatured alcohol will burn for quite a while, which will help get the fire going. Be very careful with how you store the alcohol - it's very flammable.

Re: Need help: Fireplace 101

Is that fireplace enclosed or does it open in the kitchen too?

Re: Need help: Fireplace 101

you might want to have it cleaned before the first time you use it.
The chimmeny sweep will let you know if everything is OK.

Re: Need help: Fireplace 101

Re: Need help: Fireplace 101

you are so funny!! I LOVE having a fireplace.

To start: we use a firestarter, let it burn a little. If you don't want to use that, start with 3 logs, make sure there is proper air flow between the logs. Stuff a bunch of newspaper under it and light it up. You may need to add paper if the logs don't catch. Make sure your wood is DRY. Wet wood will not burn, it will only smolder.

DO NOT use pine/evergreen...it leaves a residue in your chimney and if it builds up, it'll catch fire. Hardwoods are best.

ALWAYS make sure your flu is open, otherwise you get a puffback ( smoke in the house). It's also good to heat up the flue before lighting the fire....roll up some newspaper and hold it up towards the chimney.

To put the fire out....just let it burn out, close the doors to close off the oxygen flow (DO NOT close flu). Then you get to clean it the next morning/or the next time you use it!