A fireplace means many things to many people. For some, it is a lifesaver, providing comfortable warmth during the winter season. To others, fireplaces are what bring together family members and get them to share stories or spend time together. Fireplaces also work to complement the interior decoration of many homes. There is simply no doubt that fireplaces are a crucial component of many homes, and this article contains some useful tips for the best way to light fire and get it to use energy most efficiently.
First off, make a decision as to what fuel source you wish to use for your fireplace. The choice is usually between coal and wood. Next, consider some basic rules.
1. See to it that your fireplace is free of dirt and debris. If there are any materials left from the last time you used your fireplace, these must be taken out. In order to clean your fireplace, it would be best to make use of tools such as a soft brush, a metal shovel, a poker, as well as tongs. If you have a fireplace grate in place, rake it to ensure that any ash and particles that are burnt are discarded and swept. Make use of a metal container when you remove cinder and hot ash. Also make sure that any pets that you may have in the home (as well as your children) steer clear of your fireplace at all times.
2. The fire bed will then need to be put together, and the flammable materials that you will be needing for this stage are fuel, kindling and tinder. Fuels are mostly available as wood (biomass) or coal (mineral). As for tinder, this is a type of item that will quickly start fire by causing friction. For kindling, these are pieces of twigs and wood that are small.
3. If you are using fire grates, for the initial layer, make use of some old newspaper that are scrunched or rolled up. Afterwards, make use of about 2 firelighters, and then set some firewood kindling right on top, in order to put together a structure that resembles a tepee. Once all of these have been done, it is now time to start a fire using a taper, or match or firelighter.
4. As you light the fire, bear in mind that this may take a while to do, so it is vital to have some patience. Once the fire has been set, you can feed it gradually with solid fuel or tiny log pieces, to keep the blaze going. Also remember not to overdo this. Excessive fuel is likely to kill your fire. Sufficient space (for air) should be able to find its way beneath the fuel and kindling.