Is there a way to start a fire in the fireplace w/o having a starter log?

Question

A safe way would be nice. I have wood but no starter log. Thanks.

Answer 1

yes there are many ways. It is usually best to start with two logs, and it works better if one of them is split.
the way I do it is I put one log in near the back then I put some tightly wadded up paper (about ten sheets) in front of the log. kind of half under it. then I put the other log parallel to the first right up against the paper so there is about an inch between the logs. make sure there is some paper sticking out where you can light it and it will light the rest of the paper. also make sure the whole "stack" is able to get air from underneath. some small pieces of wood in with the paper will help but it will light up without them. if the wood is close enough together but still has room for air to move between then the two pieces will keep each other burning. if the wood is wet you will have a battle to light it but it can be done by burning small piles of paper on the wood until there is a dry enough area to light. the ashes will build up though.

Answer 2

I know this is an old post, but I have to make 2 points. 1) Using gasoline (I assume this is what you mean by "gas", as opposed to something like a propane torch) is a horribly bad idea. The stuff is WAY to explosive, especially after it has started to vaporize. Using that (and likely WD40 or lighter fluid) in an enclosed environment is a good way to burn your face, hair, lungs (since people usually reflexively inhale (sucking fire or super-hot gases into your lungs/throat) right before screaming when they see a ball of flame heading toward them) and house. Not to be too harsh, but it s a dumb idea. 2) starting a wood log (or wax log) fire in a fireplace designed to burn natural gas or propane won t work very well. The smoke stack on a gas fireplace is MUCH smaller than the smoke stack for a wood burning fireplace. If you want to use a gas fireplace that is broken, call a repair technician. They are a better option than having to call someone to clean up smoke damage (since the smoke from the wood logs will just roll into the house since the smoke stack is too small.)

Answer 3

Hopefully, you do have a fireplace grate to stack wood/logs on. If you have large pieces of wood, you'll have to break or cut it into thin strips (like 1/2 to 1 inch strips) to use as kindling.

The kindling should be stacked such that it cris-crosses each other, leaving open spaces (coupla-few inches wide) for the fire to breathe as it gets started. The stack should be a few inches high and built so that it won't collapse when it's burning and you put the first log onto it.

Light the stack of kindling from the bottom on both ends and in the middle (a long lighter like you would use for a barbeque is best, so you don't burn your hands). When the entire stack of kindling is consumed by the fire, lay a couple of logs across it, such that they are leaning up against the stack of kindling (parallel to each other and at an angle). Once these logs are burning well, lay another log across the top of them. The fire on the bottom plus the openings between the logs will allow the heat and air to get to the log on top and cause it to burn.

As you add more logs to the fire, never just toss them across the top of the fire, such that they smother out the existing fire. Set them in at an angle, preferably leaning against the burning stack. As the logs on the bottom burn out and turn to ash, you can then use the poker to move the logs that are burning into position to accept another log.

Answer 4

Fireplace Without Fire

Answer 5

crumple up some newspaper and the put some small branches or small pices of wood on top then load the logs works every time. Never Ever us a starter log in a fireplace.

Answer 6

Place some wadded up paper on the grate. Put a small pile of 1/4" or smaller twigs on top the paper. Then gradually put larger pieces of wood on top of that. Then a log. Light the paper, sit back and enjoy.

Answer 7

just stuff the bottom with newspaper and feed the fire until the wood starts try starting with dry wood or wood chips....or you can take lighter fluid from the grill and charcoal in the bottom, then light the paper and close the door .... so you dont have a burst of flames....the brickets will get hot enough to start the wood...

Answer 8

You think that there was ever fire before starter logs.

Answer 9

Take a look at this:

http://www.bernzomatic.com/bernzomatic/consumer/jhtml/detail.jhtml?prodId=BernzoProd100016

--Jim

Answer 10

How about matches, tinder, and kindling?