After starting the fire, when do you close the flue?

Question

The fire stays lit okay. But it is still cold in the room. So I need to know how to properly use the fireplace. Also, does anyone know how to make newspaper logs?

Answer 1

You shouldn't close your damper it will starve your fire of oxygen and fill your room with smoke.
Try your home depot they have machines you can purchase and roll your newspapers to make logs.

Answer 2

It's not enough to just let the fire go out and feel that it's then safe to close the flue. The fire needs to be cold, long after it's "out." If it's still producing heat, it's still producing toxic gases. Twice in the past month I've run on people with flue problems. One was a couple who thought their flue was open but ended up with a carbon monoxide reading of 140 in the house (anything over 35 is considered unsafe), and the other was a woman who smoked up her house because she didn't realize the flue was closed. So I guess my best advice would be unless you're sure you know what you're doing, don't use the fireplace. Most of the heat goes right up the chimney anyway.

Answer 3

The flue must be left open while the fire is lit. Otherwise, toxic fumes will fill the house. Close the flue only after you have put out the fire.

Most fireplaces draw air from the room and thus do not heat the house, but take heat from the room. There are stoves that can be placed inside the fireplace that pump heat back into the room, and there are glass firescreens that prevent heat loss.

We have a small wrought iron device with a handle on the side. You put a newspaper page onto the spool, then crank the handle, and you have a neat little log. We make them up to take on camping trips. They light easily and burn fairly slowly. I think we bought the log roller at Sears, but I suspect most hardware stores have them, too.

Answer 4

Never ever ever ever close the flue while the fire is burning!!!!! The fumes are extremely dangerous! As for logs made out of newspaper...roll them up into a log shape and use inexpensive twine to tie them. My family has been doing this for years. It is really an economical way to keep warm.

Answer 5

Warmer room, bigger fire. Don't close the flue until the fire is out.

Answer 6

uuuuummmmmm you do not close the flue with a fire going

Answer 7

Susan Donahue has given the best, most complete answer. I'd have voted for her, but this stupid forum won't let me vote till I've answered or posted a certain amount. I guess I could just make up stupid questions like some people do; but no, I won't do that.

Answer 8

if you close the flue you'll smoke up the house.

Answer 9

When the ashes are cold!@~