How to Easily Light a Fireplace Fire
If you’re inexperienced, lighting a wood-burning fireplace can be a bit tricky. At Carbel, we’re here to give you several tips and guidelines to make the process easier.
First things first: get your firewood ready.
There are different types of wood, and depending on what kind you use, lighting your fireplace may be more or less difficult. The most important thing is to use dry wood.
Steps to Light a Fireplace Fire
1. Make safety your first priority.
Keep any flammable objects away from the fire area to avoid accidents.
2. Make sure the vents are open.
Good ventilation is key. Open vents help smoke escape properly and reduce the risk of hazards.
3. Place the wood inside the fireplace.
As mentioned, use dry wood. Moist wood can cause the fire to go out easily and produce excessive smoke.
How much wood should you use?
Don’t overdo it. Fire needs oxygen to burn, and too much wood can block airflow and smother the flames.
A couple of logs along with some small twigs should be enough to get started. You can add more wood later as needed.
4. Build your wood pile properly.
Place the smaller twigs at the bottom and the larger logs on top, forming a stack. The thin twigs catch fire quickly and help sustain the flame until the larger logs begin to burn.
At this stage, you can also use firelighters or crumpled newspaper to make lighting easier.
5. Create airflow inside the fireplace.
You’ve probably heard that blowing on a fire helps it ignite. That’s because airflow helps bring oxygen to the flames, which is essential for combustion. Without it, smoke can displace the oxygen and hinder the fire.
Creating a gentle draft inside the fireplace—or using a bellows to direct air toward the fire—will make it much easier to get things going.
At Carbel, our fireplaces feature a primary air intake system with more than 50% opening through the grate, making it easier to start or revive the fire.
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