I bought wood for my fireplace but no matter what it wont keep a flame or stay lit. Why? help?

Answer 1

Assuming the wood is nice and dry, it's probably an oxygen problem. Make sure the chimney flue is open and check your fireplace for a draft. Light a match and holding it inside; the flame should be sucked upwards towards the chimney and with a good enough draft it will be blown out. If you have a doors on your fireplace, you can increase the draft by keeping them partially closed. You don't want them open all the way or closed all the way when starting a fire. Make sure all the ashes are cleaned out of the fireplace. If you have dry wood and a good draft then it might be that your using too much wood at once. Try using small pieces to start, and add bigger ones after you get a good base fire going. Good luck!

Answer 2

First if you are trying to burn a whole log i.e. round log it would take a blow torch to get it hot enough, your wood needs to be split into smaller sizes like into quarters(whole logs split in half then in half again). second make sure the the area under the thing you put your wood on called the grate is clean get rid of old ashes and stuff. third make sure the damper is not closed and the chimney is not blocked further up (freeloading squirrels and the like). now for a faster way to get it going make a small pile of fast lighting charcoal like kingsfords about 2 good handfuls or 3 keep it in a pile and light it when it gets going then add your log pieces a little at a time, if the wood is not wet or still green it should really crank out the heat, use only oak or hickory not pine as it burns dirty and causes a build up of creosote in the chimney and can catch fire, chimney sweeps are cheap insurance, enjoy the fire

Answer 3

It is still green or is too wet. Maybe it is too big to get going.
Try putting in smaller wood pieces and get that going good make sure your putting pieces that are like 6 to 10 inches around and 12 to 18 inches long over the smaller wood that is already going. Some wood needs a full year to dry out enough to burn. .

Answer 4

If it is not seasoned it can be hard to start. Green woood will not burn well at first. Let it sit outside for a year and it will work better. There is a difference betwen green wood and wet wood. Seasoned wood which is wet may be easier to burn than green wood.

The exception to using green wood is wood such as pine, spruce, or anything containing large amounts of aromatic pitch. This stuff will almost explode when a match is set to it.

A true survivor challenge is to build a fire using wet wood.

Answer 5

Personally I find that "mill ends" are the worst things to put in a fireplace! They never do well. You should try a cord of some nicely "seasoned" wood. You will have alot less trouble and a more pleasureable experience.

Answer 6

I think we need more information. If you are building a fire in the stove, you need the draft [or vent] underneath the fire to be open,. The vent in the door should br closed, The vent in the door of the stove should be closed. Usa small dry pieces of wood like pine or dry boards with paper under neath to start it. Have a decent fire going bdfore you put largerc pieces of wood on it. If your chimney is gigh enough and not blocked, you should have a fire. I say all this because i am getting a message here that you are not that familiar with a wood stove. I suggest you find someone locslly to advise you. Good luck--My experience with wood stoves is extensive.

Answer 7

The wood may still have been green when cut. This will prevent it from burning as easily. Try to get your hands on some lighter wood and add it to your fireplace. Its sure to make even the greenest pieces of wood burn.

Answer 8

the trick for a fire is to stack three pieces to allow air to circulate. Then you start it with either kindling or a twigs or paper. You can also use split pieces of wood. Remember that the bark is hard to get started. a single log will not stay lit.

Answer 9

It takes at least three logs to keep a fire going -- they must be dry, and you must have an updraft. The three are needed so that the flame is not dissapated -- that the heat goes back and forth. Wad up paper, put kindling on top of that and at least three logs over that. Provided you have met the above conditions, you should be able to have them burn

Answer 10

Is the wood seasoned or still green (just cut recently)? If fairly dry wood,you either need a hotter kindling starter fire or you might have the damper open too far.Try that maybe,good luck!