Learning the basic science of building a high-performance fire will help you get the most out of your bonfire, wood burning fireplace, stove or fireplace insert. A high-performance fire burns hotter, longer and more completely (meaning it creates less smoke and is better for the environment). The amount of ashes in the hearth, the kindling you use, the wood you choose and how you stack it all affect the performance of the fire. You can save yourself extra trips to the wood pile and cut down on your environmental impact by following these basic guidelines.
• Choose Seasoned Firewood
Seasoned firewood is dead wood that has less than 20% moisture. It usually takes wood at least six months to dry out enough to be considered seasoned.
Fresh wood that is not seasoned has high moisture content. If you burn it, it will produce a large amount of smoke and little heat because the fire’s energy will be used to evaporate the excess water. Along with creating a low amount of heat, the dark smoke will contain more compounds that turn into creosote (a highly combustible tarlike substance that builds up in chimneys). If you habitually use fresh or wet wood to build fires, your chimney should be cleaned more frequently to reduce the chance of a chimney fire.
Making a habit of using only seasoned wood will mean that the fires you build burn hotter and produce less creosote. Whether you are gathering sticks or logs, you should choose wood that has had six months to a year to dry out.
• Start with a Layer of Ash and Check the Airflow
After you have gathered wood, it is time to build a fire.
If there is already ash in the fire pit or fireplace, you can leave up to a 1 inch of it. Leaving a light layer of ash at the bottom can increase the heat output. Hot embers tend to nestle in the ash which adds additional heat. It also helps the fire to keep going instead of burning out and reflects back heat.
If you going to be starting a fire in a fireplace or fireplace insert, make sure that the damper is open and the air is flowing in the right direction before you light the kindling.
To check the airflow, put your hand into the mouth of the firebox. If you feel a cold draft of air coming down the chimney, it means there is a reverse airflow: air is flowing down the chimney instead of out of the chimney. This happens when a chimney is too cold. It is important to warm the chimney before building a fire to reverse the airflow. If you build a fire in a fireplace with a reversed airflow, smoke and carbon monoxide can billow into your home increasing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. The easiest way to reverse the airflow is to create a torch out of rolled up newspaper or other lightweight paper, light it and hold it up close to the damper. You may have to do this a few times until the chimney warms up enough to reverse the airflow.
• Use the Right Kindling
Newspaper or other lightweight paper makes the best kindling. Be sure not to use glossy pages or colorful paper (unless it was printed with non-toxic dyes) because they can release toxic chemicals into the air when they burn. Roll the paper into balls and line the bottom of the fire pit or grate. Then stack dry sticks or small pieces of softwood like pine or cedar on top. These will light easily and help the wood to catch fire.
*Do not use lighter fluid to start a fire especially indoors. Lighter fluid burns quickly and explosively. Using it inside can easily cause a house fire.*
• Stack the Firewood for the Type of Fire You Want
There are 2 correct ways to stack firewood: loosely and crisscrossed or tightly packed together. How you stack the wood will determine how long and hot the fire burns.
For a quick-burning fire, stack the firewood in a loose, crisscrossed arrangement. Smaller pieces of firewood are best for this type of fire. It will burn quickly and produce just enough heat to keep you warm in mild weather like on a chilly spring or summer night.
For a long-burning fire, tightly pack large pieces of firewood together. This type of fire can burn all night long on a bitter-cold winter evening.
Whether you are building a quick-burning or long-burning fire, do not overload it with too much wood. It is easier to add a log to the fire than to put out a large fire.
If you have followed these guidelines and you are still having trouble building a high-performance fire, or notice heavy smoke coming from your chimney, give us a call! Our certified chimney specialists at FyrePro are expert fire builders. We can help you troubleshoot the problem or come out for an inspection to find out if there is an issue within your chimney that is affecting the performance of your fireplace. We have come to the rescue of homeowners from Northern Colorado to Southern Wyoming who are having trouble with their fireplaces.