What's the best way to manage an open fire? E.g. Log & Coal.?

Question

I've just got an open fire place, grate & fret, and almost ready to get cracking with putting on a log and watching the embers glow.

My "Man Tools" are poised ready to go...but;

What's the best way to get them most of my open fire?
Should I stick with logs, or coal, or both?
How do I maximise this fireplace feature?
What tips would you recommend?

Remember, I am a man. None of this airy fairy rubbish, I want "fire". But I also want an economical fuel based heating system, and aim to avoid putting the central heating on again to warm my lounge!

Answer 1

Simple. We do it all the time here in the Highlands.
Scrunch up some newspaper and put a good thickness of it on the grate. Then use either kindling or fire lighters. For a beginner firelighters are probably best. Then put a light covering of coal on, light the paper, and be ready to put more coal on a bit at a time. Have the controls of the fire fully open at this stage. Once the fire has got a good heart, then you can add either more coal or logs and turn the controls or damper down a bit. Whichever logs or coal is your preference and whichever is more easily available. It doesn't have to be just logs of course. You can burn anything, old fence posts, old gates, palletts etc. I get rid of a lot of my rubbish that way as it saves waste going to landfill or a trip to the recycling centre. It should burn everything apart from bottles and tins. Food scraps, meat bones etc., all go on it. It is also a great way to avoid identity theft as you can burn all sensititve papers, bank statements etc.

Answer 2

Ohhh you is in for some hard work!!

Start your fires with small bits of wood and paper. Once it catches light, add larger bits of wood. Once its really going, add either a log or two, or some coal. Depends if you have a ready source of wood really! Coal lasts longer and puts out more heat but it costs.

Remember to clean out the grate every morning and be prepared for the amount of dust it will create. Have fun!! Nothing nicer than a glass of wine lying in front of a good fire in the winter - lovely!

Answer 3

You will most likly fine you are within a smokless zone and so will not be allowed to have an open fire as you describe....check with the local council before putting match to paper..you could be in for a big fine.

Answer 4

I find a mixture of both works best.
You need a good coal base because logs on their own tend to go out.