What Preparation Steps You Need to Take Before Burning Wood in Your Fireplace

Having a wood-burning fireplace is one of the best investments you can make into your home. Not only does having a warm and beautiful-looking fire indoors provide you with functional heating, but it also adds to the aesthetic value of your space. However, like with anything else, regular maintenance is essential if you want it to last in good condition for many years to come. That’s why it’s important to take some preparation steps before burning wood in your fireplace. The first thing you should do is clean out any soot or ash from the previous fires from inside your fireplace as well as its flue. The purpose of this step is twofold: firstly, ash buildup can obstruct air flow which in turn can cause a backup with smoke entering the room instead of going up the chimney; secondly, ashes can act as an accelerant should there be too much built up and cause excessive heat when lighting the new fire . Make sure you always use a metal container (such as an ash bucket) when disposing of ashes and that they are placed far away from combustible materials until completely cooled off – even just 24 hours isn’t too long to wait! After cleaning, inspect both the outside and inside surfaces of your fireplace for any signs or damage such as cracks or loose bricks or mortar which might compromise its integrity over time. Such defects should be taken care off right away through repair services to ensure safety during usage. Furthermore check that flutes are still open; animals such as birds or squirrels sometimes decide these warm places are attractive abodes and end up blocking off these openings making it impossible for smoke to escape correctly thus causing potential hazardous situations in the case of poor ventilation within an indoor environment. The next step involves acquiring properly seasoned firewood logs which will burn easier while producing less smoke than unseasoned woods. On average, seasoned logs need 6 months – one year worth drying/storing outside under proper protective measures

How to Safely Burn Wood in a Fireplace

Starting a cozy fire in your fireplace can be an experience that is second to none when done correctly. A wood burning fireplace disperses warm air throughout the entire home, and with a bit of practice and maintenance, it also offers an economical heating source. To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, here is our guide on how to safely burn wood in a fireplace: 1. Start With Kindling and Small Pieces of Firewood: The most common mistake when lighting a wood burning fire is attempting to light large pieces of lumber. Begin by collecting kindling such as pine cones or small sticks as well as smaller logs no larger than your arm. Allowing these initial pieces of material to get the fire going ensures that once larger pieces are added they can ignite easily without overwhelming the fire starter. 2. Create Proper Airflow: Keep the damper closed while starting your fire then, once sufficiently lit, slowly open the damper until you’ve achieved the desired flame level. Having an opening at the top lets hot air escape, providing adequate oxygen for a healthier flame that won’t start smoldering after twenty minutes creating thick smoke in your home and eventually puttering out. 3. Don’t Drown Your Fire: You should also ensure there are appropriate gaps between each log for good air flow as wet or too closely placed materials can cause limited oxygen contact resulting in poor combustion and increased creosote buildup which can cause chimney fires if left unchecked over time. In addition to spacing out logs properly leaving about 2 inches between each one for adequate space for airflow, avoid dousing already established wood chunks with lighter fluid or other igniting substances as this will not make it easier to light them, but actually reduce their ability to stay well lit due to extending gas build up time from contained liquid within those stacks . 4. Monitor Chimney Conditions Regularly: Even if you follow all of these steps perfectly it doesn’t guarantee

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