How to Start a Fire
If your fireplace has an adjustable damper, open it all the way. Begin by
crumpling single sheets of newspaper or other tinder into grapefruit-size
balls, or twist them into batons, and place one or two underneath the grate or
in between the andirons on the floor of the firebox. Place strips of newspaper
on top of this pile.
Create a Crisscross Pattern
Lay six to twelve pieces of kindling in a crisscross pattern on top of the
crumpled newspaper on the grate or in between the andirons. Leave spaces
between the sticks for air circulation.
Arrange Logs Loosely
Place a couple of thin, split logs on top of the tinder and kindling.
Remember to arrange logs and paper loosely so air can circulate.
Don't Overfeed the Fire
Light the tinder with a long match. When the fire is going and the small
split logs are burning steadily, add two more small logs and one larger log.
Leave at least an inch between them so the flame can breathe. As the warm air
rises up the chimney and into the room, cool air is sucked up into the spaces
between the logs, fanning the flames. Don't overfeed the fire, which can
smother the fire or cause it to blaze out of control.
Deposit Ashes Safely
A fire will cease on its own provided you are not adding fuel to it. Leave
the fire alone and allow the ashes to cool completely (for up to a day) before
removing them. Sweep ashes and coals into a metal coal hod, never into a
garbage bag or can. Take the bucket outside, away from the house, and leave for
another day to make sure all embers have died. Ashes can be deposited onto
flowerbeds around the garden, since they benefit roses and other flowers.
Fire and Fireplace Tips
Tinder is the first thing to catch fire, so it should consist of a highly
flammable material such as brown bags, twisted newspaper, applewood chips,
dried hemlock and birch twigs, birch bark, and the feathery tips of dried pine
branches. (Don't use paper with colored inks, since it can leave a flammable
residue in the chimney.) Tinder ignites the kindling.
Kindling Options
Kindling, such as pine and birch twigs, is placed on top of tinder and will
stay ablaze long enough to set fire to the logs. Dry corncobs, pinecones that
are well-dried and free of sap, and fatwood (highly flammable, resin-laden
sticks from coniferous trees) are also good fire starters.
Firewood Types
Firewood must be properly dried before use. Freshly cut, or
"green," wood is still full of water and will burn unevenly, produce
smoke and ash, and won't smell very good. Tiny radial cracks along the
cross-sections of a split log indicate that the wood is fully dry and ready to
use. Hardwood logs from broad-leafed deciduous trees are ideal. Hickory, oak, maple, ash,
beech, and birch are good choices (birch especially so as it leaves no ash).
For fragrance, try cherry, pear, and pecan. Softwood logs from needle- and
cone-bearing trees should only be used for tinder and kindling, since they burn
very quickly.
How to Maintain Your Fireplace
It is essential to hire a chimney sweep for a professional cleaning of your
firebox and chimney at least once a year, ideally each spring. Be mindful of
creosote and soot. Creosote is a brown or black residue that appears on the
inner surface of the flue liner. When wood is burned slowly, it produces tar
and other organic vapors, which combine with expelled moisture to form
creosote. Excessive creosote can occur because of restricted air supply, and it
is extremely combustible -- it's the major cause of most chimney fires. Soot is
the carbonized deposit of fine black particles and, when wet, can stain very
quickly.
How to Remove Soot
To remove soot, use dry methods of cleaning. Start by vacuuming the stained
area using the dust-brush tool of your vacuum. Never rub with a cloth or rag,
which will only spread or smear the soot. Use a "dry
sponge" (available at hardware stores) to rub the stained area in
even, light strokes in one direction. Start at the top and work down. Only
after removing the bulk of the soot should you wipe the area with a cloth
dampened with an all-purpose cleaner and warm water, if necessary.
Enjoy your fire!
Source: Marthastewart.com: