The log cabin method involves stacking wood in alternating layers. Cherry has a subtle sweet aroma that many of our customers absolutely love." Hickory burns a little longer, … has a slightly more bold aroma, and is our most popular species. "The best three are oak, hickory, and cherry," Hite says. As for hardwood types, it's a matter of preference. Look also for hardwoods, which burn for significantly longer and put off more heat over time than softwoods. "It never sees outside, so it's always bug- free," says Hite. Firewood that's been kiln-dried right after it's been cut has the cleanest and most consistent burn. Look specifically for firewood that "has been kiln-dried for at least 48 hours at a high temperature" and has never been seasoned. Any wood with moisture will generate excess smoke and lead to dangerous creosote build-up in flues, which can lead to chimney fires. When it comes to firewood quality, avoid wood that hasn't been sufficiently dried. Keep in mind the dimensions of your fireplace when selecting firewood - it should sit comfortably on the grate inside the fireplace - and get a variety of diameters. Kindling is bigger than tinder, and "generally the same length of the logs, but half an inch in diameter," says Hite."The tinder is kind of like kindling for kindling," says Hite. Fire starter refers to both an ignitor - a match, or a lighter - and tinder, fuel that lights extremely easily.Once a fireplace is prepped, there are three components to building a fire: Kiln-dried firewood will burn the cleanest. Heat-resistant fireplace gloves allow you to adjust hot and even on-fire logs safely when rearranging a fallen or shifted log to a safer, more stable position. "You should always have a fire extinguisher close at hand that everybody knows exactly where it is," says Hite. Know where your fire extinguisher and gloves are. The flue is properly primed when smoke from the torch flows up the flue instead of into the room. To prevent this, prime the flue first by rolling up several sheets of newspaper into a torch-like shape, lighting one end, and holding the lighted end in the flue area. This happens when cold air inside the flue flows down, forcing smoke out instead of letting it up. Sometimes, smoke flows inside even when the damper is open. Make sure to completely open the damper: a blocked damper causes smoke to billow into the home, and in some fireplaces, Hite says, it can be difficult to open once the fire is started. The flue is controlled by the damper, which is the mechanism that adjusts the airflow. The flue is the passage that allows smoke and gas to exit the chimney. Wait about a week before disposing, whether by throwing them out or reusing them as compost or garden-pest deterrent. Since hot coals can last for days after a fire has died, do not leave an ash can inside or anywhere flammable. "Ash in and of itself isn't bad," says Hite, and leaving a thin layer in the fireplace "protects the bottom of the fireplace from the heat and will make it last longer." If there's ash in your fireplace from a previous fire, put on fire-proof gloves, and use a metal shovel to transfer them to an ash can, or a fire-proof metal bucket. Hite recommends getting your chimney swept in the spring or summer, since it can take months to book a chimney sweeping service by the time it's already cold. If you use wood that doesn't burn cleanly or have fires every day, "you should get it cleaned more than once a year," Hite says. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America, you should get a chimney sweeping at least once a year. A professional chimney cleaning checks for animal nests and any chimney deterioration. Make sure the chimney is in working order. "A fire in the right place, in the right setting … is like a beautiful sunset that hits all your senses," Hite says, but when things go wrong, "there's no end to how terrible it could be."įollow these protocols to keep you and your home safe: Preparing a fireplace for a fire takes some time and planning, but it's essential for safety and enjoyment. Use metal tools to remove ash buildup from a fireplace.
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