Tips for Starting the Perfect Fire at Home

What you will need: matches/lighter, newspaper, kindling/firestarter and a few pieces of dry firewood.

1. Check that damper is open to ensure maximum air flow. If the damper is closed, smoke will enter the room.

2. If the fireplace has glass doors, open the doors 30 minutes before you start the fire to allow the inside of the fireplace to warm up to room temperature. This will help ensure that the air flow will move upwards when starting the fire.

3. Crumple a few pieces of newspaper (non-glossy) and place them in the center of the fireplace.

4. Place kindling or firestarter sticks on top of newspaper, in the shape of a "teepee". This formation allow for maximum air circulation for combustion.

5. Light the newspaper in 2-3 different locations.

6. Close the door, leaving it slightly open and allow the paper and kindling to ignite.

7.  Once the kindling has started to burn, begin to add a few smaller pieces of firewood. Adding large pieces at the beginning can smother the fire.

8. Once the wood has started to burn and the smoke has subsided, close the fireplace fully.
 
9. Add larger pieces of firewood as needed once there is space in the fireplace.  

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