How do I use a wood-burning fireplace?

[beer]

OK so I've had gas my entire life. I've never, not once, used a wood-burning fireplace. It's dropping into the low 30s here and the weak electric heater in my apartment can't keep the place warm without being on 24 hrs a day (yea we have heaters down here about as powerful as ACs in Canada).

I have a wood-burning fireplace but I have never used it before. I'm not sure of proper procedures, per se. Am I supposed to use lighter fluid to get the fire going? Obviously I know from camping I just can't light the logs and get a fire...

Is there anything else I should watch out for? How do I extinguish the fire properly?

 

[conjur]

Umm...

1) Insert wood into fireplace
2) Light match
3) Light wood on fire

 

[azazyel]

You may want to go out and buy a cleaning log. There are logs with chemicals that help get rid of soot that might be clogging the chimney. If you have never used the fireplace you could run the risk of a flu fire.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

make sure the flu is open

i usually wad up about 10-15 sheets of news print, put smaller logs on top of that and larger peices to sides leaving the front more or less open.

do not use lighter fluid

if you are really desperate, then go buy some starter logs. ...

 

[Fiera]

Make sure the chimney is clear, open the flue.
Build your fire like you would camping but keep it small. 2 or 3 small pieces should do it depending on the size of your fireplace. Use plenty of kindling depending on your wood. News paper, twigs, bark shavings, starter blocks are ok.
NO CHEMICALS
HTH

 

[beer]

Originally posted by: yamahaXS
make sure the flu is open

i usually wad up about 10-15 sheets of news print, put smaller logs on top of that and larger peices to sides leaving the front more or less open.

do not use lighter fluid

if you are really desperate, then go buy some starter logs. ...

If I use manufactured fire logs, they are all the same size right? I might use them for safety but how would I light it in this case?

 

[psydancerqt]

it's an indoor camping fire... just like everyone said... no chemicals. those fire starters work will nice. only need one block and no paper. when my parents moved we used the wood-burning fireplace the first two years.

 

[azazyel]

Presto logs have instructions on them. They don't really give off too much heat unless you have a few in there.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

Originally posted by: beer

Originally posted by: yamahaXS
make sure the flu is open

i usually wad up about 10-15 sheets of news print, put smaller logs on top of that and larger peices to sides leaving the front more or less open.

do not use lighter fluid

if you are really desperate, then go buy some starter logs. ...

If I use manufactured fire logs, they are all the same size right? I might use them for safety but how would I light it in this case?

in that case i suggest you read the fine print on the product's packaging.... i am sure their lawyers will keep you from burning down your apartment building.

 

[Lonyo]

We use some blocks (maybe 3) and rolled up newspaper, with some small pieces of wood on/around, then light the blocks.
Once it gets going, you can put on some bigger logs. Always worked for us.

 

[beer]

Will real firewood burn hotter and provide more warmth than manufactured ones?

 

[beer]

Originally posted by: beer
Will real firewood burn hotter and provide more warmth than manufactured ones?

I was drowned out by the nefs

 

[azazyel]

Originally posted by: beer

Originally posted by: beer
Will real firewood burn hotter and provide more warmth than manufactured ones?

I was drowned out by the nefs

Well, I am not sure about hotter but you tend to use more than one log when using real wood. If you get about 3 presto logs it will get hot, if you use 1 you will have to be about 2 feet from it to feel it. Remember the hot air is being sucked out of the flu.

But like I said, start small you don't want to cause of flu fire.

http://www.duraflame.com/products/firelogs/hottips.cfm

 

[PELarson]

PLEASE... If you don't know if the chimney and has been cleaned or examined very recently. DON"T USE IT UNTIL IT HAS BEEN EXAMINED AND CLEANED PROFESSIONALLY!!!!!