what is the best way to make and keep a fireplace fire going all night?

Question

I have trouble lighting a fire in an old stone fireplace, it often doesn't catch, or else burns out quickly leaving half charred wood and no flame....I don't want to use chemical products....

Answer 1

If you have a stone fireplace, you want to make sure you have an updraft. to do this, open the damper and take a match and light it in front of the fireplace and blow it out. see if the smoke goes up the chimney or back in the room. if it goes up the chimney your good for the next step. if it goes back in to the room you have a draft problem. try cracking a window. if this does not work call a fireplace expert to evaluate your fireplace. Next you want to make sure you have good dry (seasoned) wood. Make sure your fireplace grate is set all the way in the back of the fireplace. use news paper (NO COLOR ADS), kindling, and some small dry logs. and light. after about 20 min. you should be able to add larger logs. you really should not expect to have hot coals in the morning with an open fireplace you can't control the draft enough. You may want to think about getting a wood burning insert for your fireplace. Have a chimney sweep check your chimney for problems also. Hope this gets you started.

Answer 2

I would say you have a draft problem or are using damp wood. You may need to crack a window to insure proper draft. When lighting the fire, place a piece of lit paper up near the chimney flue inside and let the heat start a draft. Then light the wood. Start with smaller diameter pieces of wood and when they get burning, add some larger pieces.