How to Build a Fire
How to get a fire going
How to Build a Fire
Lots of people build fires, but many people don't know how to build good fires. Doing it right is essential for keeping chimneys in good working order. To understand why, it helps to know how wood burns:
In the beginning stages of a fire, the heat of the flames removes water from the wood via evaporation and vaporization. This heat doesn't make the fireplace or room any warmer. It just dries out the wood.
As wood dries out, the temperature begins to rise. When it reaches 500°F, the materials in the wood begin to break down and form volatile gases. These gases contain roughly 50 to 60 percent of the wood's heat value.
Temperatures continue to rise. At approximately 1,100°F, gases will break into flames if enough oxygen is available.
Once combustion takes place, the remaining material burns at temperatures above 1,100°F. As it burns, it leaves ash behind as a by-product.
Starting a Fire
Around the House
Always get your firewood from a trusted source who can tell you when the wood was cut and how it was stored. If you cut it yourself, be sure to give it enough time to dry out before you use it. Store it in a protected area away from water and damp surfaces.
Since wet wood contributes to creosote buildup, it's important to use dry, seasoned wood for your fires. You'll sometimes read that hard wood is better than soft, but moisture content is really more important. That said, hardwoods such as oak, ash, hickory, and juniper burn cleaner than softwoods like cedar, pine, and fir do.
Here's how to build a good fire:
Open the damper completely.
Put about a half-dozen crumpled sheets of paper or softwood kindling in the bottom of the firebox. If possible, use both. Stack the kindling in a pyramid or in a crossed pattern on top of the paper. Spread over the entire bottom for an evenly burning fire.
Place a few small pieces of wood on top of the paper or kindling. Use small, split logs instead of big, unsplit logs. Big logs hamper airflow and cause fires to burn slow and long, resulting in increased gas and tar levels. Stack the wood loosely, leaving enough room between logs to facilitate airflow.
Roll up a handful of sheets of paper, light it, and hold it near the flue opening. This will warm the flue and improve the draft.
Light the wood and paper in the firebox. After it ignites, adding more wood will increase the fire's heat. Add wood carefully at first—you don't want to smother the fire by adding too much.
The woodstove fire in this photo is a perfect example of what not to do. Note the closely stacked large logs, loaded tightly in a dirty stove. You can bet the chimney on this stove is full of creosote.
For more on the anatomy of a fireplace and chimney, see Preventing Chimney Fires.
What to do next
Keeping It Going
A Fine Mess
Never use flammable liquids such as gasoline, lighting fluid, or kerosene to start a fire. Doing so could result in a fire that's much larger than you intended it to be, and possibly an explosion.
If you're using a fireplace with a metal curtain, close and secure it when the fire is going. If there are glass doors, leave them open while the fire is burning.
You can close the flue partway at this point. Doing so will regulate how fast the fire burns. If the room starts to smoke up, open the flue as necessary to increase airflow.
If you're using a wood-burning stove, close the fire door. Use the draft regulator to maintain the desired heat. Be sure to check the manufacturer's instructions for how to operate this device. How you set the regulator will depend on the wood you're using, how much space you're heating, and how warm you want things to be.
Putting It Out
A Fine Mess
If at all possible, never extinguish a fire quickly by pouring water on it. Cooling things down fast increases gas and water emission.
When the time comes to call it a day with your fire, it's best to let it burn out on its own. To expedite things, you can use fire tongs to move any unburned pieces of wood away from the coals. If possible, stand them on end in the corners of the firebox.
Leave the fire alone until it's completely burned out. This can take anywhere from 10 to 15 hours. By this time, there should be no heat coming from the ashes, and they should be completely gray.
Keep the damper open as long as there's wood smoldering in the firebox, and keep the screen pulled until you know that the fire is completely out.
Cleaning It Up
When the fire is completely out, remove the ashes with a metal scoop and bucket. Metal is the preferred material in case any glowing embers remain. If you're not sure everything's completely out, you can add water to the bucket.
Finally, give the ashes a proper burial. If you have a compost heat, they can be added to the mix. If not, place them in a heavy plastic bag and add them to the trash.
Previous:Preventing Kitchen Fires
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