Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
We heat solely with wood in what is now 20 below temps. The key is newspaper, then finely split kindling; followed when that is well-lit by medium split kindling; followed when that is lit by the size split logs in the OP's photo.
I'm wondering if a couple of bags of those grocery store bundles to get it going then adding my logs will make a difference?
Those bundles of wood at the store are very overpriced. I don't know where you live, but I'd check with neighbors or CraigsList or the Penny Saver or somewhere for a pickup truck load of wood.
Those bundles of wood at the store are very overpriced. I don't know where you live, but I'd check with neighbors or CraigsList or the Penny Saver or somewhere for a pickup truck load of wood.
Very true....even some old pallets to cut up ( as long as no chemicals have been spilled on them)....
a big difference between ....seasoned...... and ..........dried out.
If it is just wet from outside moisture, I used to set up on edge the pieces needed for the day near the stove in the basement and they would be dry in a day.
( IT WAS A LOT WARMER THAN 60 DEGREES IN THE BASEMENT NEAR THE STOVE, HOWEVER )
we heat solely with wood in what is now 20 below temps. The key is newspaper, then finely split kindling; followed when that is well-lit by medium split kindling; followed when that is lit by the size split logs in the op's photo.
Some woods are harder to burn than others. We have some red oak, cut fresh, unseasoned, and damp. The wood is from an old tree which is really hard because of old, tight growth, and resin.
Typically, we've used paper or cardboard + small split pieces to get it started but no luck this time.
There is a product called Firestarter -- small wax/resin/sawdust pieces that you burn for such wood. It is available at Lowes, Home Depot, and Walmart. It comes in small cups, blocks or sticks. There are different name brands and they come in packs and by the box.
Also, remember that a fire needs oxygen to start. Stack your small pieces and logs criss-cross, not stacked tight. And after opening the flue, open a nearby window slightly to all air in. You'll see the difference.
Good luck!
I have confirmed it's not the fireplace but the wood. Last night I had 3 bundles of those plastic wrapped wood from the store and it all burned really well. Once it got going the fire was toasty for several hours. This morning there is not one trace of smell from the fireplace.
So I'm convinced my wood is still very green because it doesn't burn well, still has good weight to it, and leaves that smokey smell after attempts to burn.
Some woods are harder to burn than others. We have some red oak, cut fresh, unseasoned, and damp. The wood is from an old tree which is really hard because of old, tight growth, and resin.
Typically, we've used paper or cardboard + small split pieces to get it started but no luck this time.
There is a product called Firestarter -- small wax/resin/sawdust pieces that you burn for such wood. It is available at Lowes, Home Depot, and Walmart. It comes in small cups, blocks or sticks. There are different name brands and they come in packs and by the box.
Also, remember that a fire needs oxygen to start. Stack your small pieces and logs criss-cross, not stacked tight. And after opening the flue, open a nearby window slightly to all air in. You'll see the difference.
Good luck!
I use some of the fire starter products you have mentioned, but there is another that's also sold at the same stores, and that is a dry gel chemical fire starter of a white color. The small box contains about 20 small clear plastic bags of fire starter. It burns very hot and fast.
I don't use newspaper to start the fire, just place one of the fire starters mentioned above under three or four thinly split logs, and light the fire starter with a BernzOmatic torch that I also use to solder copper pipes. Works like a charm
I also use this torch at the hunting campsite during moose season in Alaska.
Okay, I made a fire this morning with a Firestarter product and it is doing VERY well. It was a little slow starting out but it's chugging right now. Now, this is with red oak, unseasoned, freshly cut, dried in the house only (I did bring some pieces in from the carriage house and they are burning well too! A few tips:
Follow the instructions on the box. Do NOT use paper, cardboard or anything else to start the fire (you won't need it);
Stack well; Allow enough for oxygen and the fire to move about (do not stack tight);
Split the logs into smaller pieces;
Turn the fire on occasion;
When embers or small pieces burn, place them directly under the fire instead of letting them cool elsewhere. This helps to keep that area really hot for the wood above it. Also, any fallen embers can be swept up (using your fireplace broom!) into that area directly underneath.
Once the fire gets pretty big, you can try a bigger log (but not too big)
Good luck!
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
