A good blaze
Fire is an important element in the natural world and in the lives of people the world over. A crucial part of human survival for centuries for food preparation, it also provides warmth and protection. It can be one of the most destructive forces on the planet when it burns out of control. Today, fire is still used to warm homes and cook our food. It is relaxing and reconnects us to our ancestors and to nature itself. Like all skills, there is a way to build a good, efficient fire with as little smoke as possible.
Instructions
1. Use seasoned, dry wood instead of green or wet wood. You can order this from a firewood supplier. If you have your own firewood, let it sit all summer until it is dry before you use it. You can let it lie in the sun and cover it with a tarp when it rains.
2. Open the damper on your wood burner, if you are using one before lighting the fire. The damper is opened by turning the switch or knob on your stove, usually at the front. You can do the same with a fireplace with a damper control.
3. Begin your fire with newspaper and some kindling to get cold air up and out of your chimney to avoid a back draft of smoke.
4. Place two or three smaller, seasoned wood logs in the fire. Do not smother the fire with too much wood. Stack the wood, leaving gaps in between logs for air flow.
5. Open a window or door, if you think you are not getting enough air flow into the room and through the fireplace or stove.
6. Add larger, seasoned logs to the fire after the smaller logs are burning well and the fire is smoldering.
7. Clean your chimney at least once a year in spring or summer to avoid a blocked chimney and to clean out debris. This helps to avoid chimney fires and will maintain a good up-draft which prevents smoke from getting sucked down into the room instead of up the chimney.
Clean your stove pipe, if you are using a wood burner. You can do this yourself with the right brushes from your fireplace store. You can also hire a chimney cleaning service to do this once a year.
8. Position bricks under your fireplace grill to create better air circulation.
9. Use dried wood and avoid windy areas when making an outdoor fire.
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