Building a fire in indoor fireplace?

Question

I'm new at this, we just bought a house with a wood burning fireplace and i'm looking for some pointers. When am I supposed to close the flu? Do I keep the glass doors shut or leave them open and keep the screen shut? I guess I just need an overall lesson in maintaining an indoor fire. Thanks for your help.

Answer 1

When ever the fireplace is cold and not in use close the flue. Else house heat will go up the chimmey and cost you.

Remember to open the flue BEFORE lighting the fire, as this allows a draft to flow up - help the fireto light.

If you are trying to warm the room - open the glass doors ALL the way, close for just the fire effect. NEVER partial open / close the glass doors, they can burst from radiant heat. (generally if they are older)

Clean the fireplace grate and floor every 2 to 3 burnings and remember ash is hot for a long time and can burn anything but a metal container.

If you use the fireplace a lot clean or have it cleaned every two to three years.

Answer 2

BEFORE you build any sort of fire... You really need to make sure the fireplace has been inspected/cleaned.... It doesn't cost that much I have mine done every yr. usually in the summer when the season isn't in full... It cost me about $50 to have a chimney sweep come and clean the fireplace.. Also, you need to make sure any wood that you buy/cut to burn is not sap producing like pine.. That it's aged/dried for at least a yr. and that it's NOT damp... Also please install a carbon monoxide detector somewhere not too close to the fireplace in case there's a build-up... Then enjoy using your fireplace...

Answer 3

make certain any time you are going to have a fire that the flue is open. Close it only when there is no fire.
To start a fire, either use some newspaper that has been crumpled up into a ball (not a hard one) and place it under the grate in the fireplace. Maybe three of four pieces. On the grate in the shape of a pyramid or close to it place your kindling which is small pieces of wood that will catch fire easily. On top of that place a piece of wood that you wish to burn -- not a whole alog, but a log that has been split into quarters. Do it so that there is air flowing under the log. light the newspaper and close the glass part of the doors leaving only a small amount open so that a draft will be created and allow the fire to start with the smoke going up the chimney. Once going, you can open the doors all the way and keep the screen shut. If you wish to keep the fire going, remember to place the logs in a way so that air can flow under them otherwise you will smother your fire.

Also in lieu of the paper you can use firestraters.

Answer 4

First, open flue. 2. Take some newspaper, roll it loosely, hold it in your hand and light it and hold so flame goes up the chimney stack. This heats the chimney stack so you won,t get blowback from smoke which happens when stove pipe is cool. I take some good dry kindling which is thin slats of woodand lay them horizontally across 2 arm sized pieces of firewood. I stick some newspaper under the kindling and start it up throwing bigger pieces as the fire takes. leave damper open or three quarters open. You never damper it down until all wood stops smoking and turns to coals. Leave door a little open for venting but only while you are kneeling there. It, easy for a spark to pop out on your new rug. that ought to do it.

Answer 5

my husband has been using our fire place for yrs. we have one of those cast iron door type of fireplace. any way make sure the fire place is clean from the shoot from the yr. before. once it is you have to make sure you have a rack to put the wood onto.do not put it on the floor of the fireplace if you can help it the wood needs some air to make a fire . ok this is what we do open your flute than take some kindling wood and some old newspaper the black and white section only nothing with ink meaning like the walmart add that dyes in it and that give off fumes which are not good for you. than place the wood on top of the rack not too much wood light than once you get a flame going put your screen in place let it get good and hot than you can close the doors. at that point you can close the flute and it should keep burning for you. always wear fireplace gloves and have a poker, shovel and a old metal pail near buy do not put any ashes that are in the fireplace into any type of plastic container you get rid of them there good be some live ashes still and if you put in plastic ctic you will melt it and cause a fire in your house also have a fire proof rug in front of the fireplace just in case the ashes or anything sparks. do not let any kids do this . it takes time to learn but be careful

Answer 6

The size and shape really doesn't matter. Most importantly make sure it is at least 15 inches higher than the knock of your roof.

Answer 7

Trust me I am an expert I have been doing this now for 15 years, and we have no other form of heat other than our wood burner. When lighting the fire, keep the flu open. once the fire is going strong, and the room is warm enough, close the flu, unless you are heating water with your stove. Keep the glass doors closed all the time whilst the fire is going. I don't know what the "screen" is, mine doesn't have one.