Fireplaces are one of the most sought-after home features, but using one can be intimidating! (I may or may not have an extreme appreciation for my electric fireplace and living that #NoRealFlamesLife) That said, if you’re up to the challenge, here’s a quick guide to get you and your fire started.
Q: How do I use a wood-burning fireplace?
1. Get Your Chimney Inspected
Safety is your first priority! Have your fireplace and chimney inspected by a licensed professional. (Need a rec? Text me, I’ve got you!) This is something you should do every year before the first fire of the season. Set a reminder or calendar event in your phone so you don’t forget!
2. Clean Up Your Fireplace
Clean out any old ashes with a broom (only after the ashes have cooled off, ofc!). Check that the damper is open and working properly, too.
3. Gather and prep your wood
Use seasoned hardwood that has been split and dried for at least six months, though preferably for a year. Seasoned hardwood logs should be dark and cracked at the ends, and they should make a hollow sound when knocked together. To make a long-lasting fire, place a rolled-up ball of newspaper or fire starter beneath the grates. Then, lay pieces of narrow, finely split wood in a crisscross pattern on the grates (this is called kindling – super important step, like, consider yourself read to star on Survivor, kind of important). Finish the stack by securely resting one to three dry logs over the kindling.
4. Prime the flue
Nothing to do with Amazon here! This step heats the cold air inside the flue so you don’t get a backup of smoke. Before you light the fire, light a tightly rolled-up sheet of newspaper and hold it toward the open damper. Keep it there for a minute or two until you see the smoke going up the chimney.
5. Light it up!
Now you’re ready to light your fire and enjoy! If the fire starts to go out, gently fan the flames with folded newspaper or use a poker to get the air flowing again. Add logs to the fire with tongs to provide more fuel. When the fire has gone out for the night, close the metal or glass doors before you go to bed. When in doubt, have Siri or Alexa set an alarm for this! (Do I seem like I’m very reliant on Siri and Alexa? It’s because I’m very reliant on Siri and Alexa.).
Q: Are fireplaces efficient?
It depends. Wood-burning fireplaces, for all their old-fashioned charm, are a super wasteful way to heat a house. Since heat rises upward, most of it escapes through the chimney, even when the fire has gone out for the night. Fireplaces located against an outside wall lose even more heat since much of it’s lost to the cold outdoor air.
Solution? Only use your wood-burning fireplace for special occasions (or use it all the time – we’re not here to judge). If you don’t plan on using your fireplace often, purchase an inflatable plug to add insulation.
Gas fireplaces are more efficient, and the newest models are realistic enough to make you forget that you don’t own any firewood. Switching to a gas insert is expensive, though, especially if you have to make changes to your chimney. For me personally, I went the electric route, and for a not too crazy price tag, this one is a powerhouse and we absolutely love it (alas, not #sponcon, just a genuine review here of one of my best home purchases). If aesthetics are all that matter, use your fireplace to display lit candles.
