If you have never lit a fire in your fireplace, you probably think it's as simple as putting a few logs in the fireplace and lighting a match. Lighting a fire requires more than that unless you have seasoned firewood and a handful of kindling. So if you have tried your luck a couple of times and failed, here are a few tips on building a fireplace fire.
The first thing to do is to clean the fireplace. You can do this with a vacuum cleaner or a rake to get the ashes. Be careful when disposing of the ashes, especially if the fireplace had recently been lit. Coals can remain hot for days. If disposed of incorrectly, it could cause a fire. However, keeping a bit of hot ash in the fireplace is good to help build a fire.
You need to get suitable wood to light the fire. Dense, dry wood such as oak burns pretty fast. Do not use green woods such as pine because they produce more creosote. Ensure that the fireplace damper is working correctly. If it's not, clear the debris, blocking it to enable it to open and close quickly. Check out the complete guide to building a fire in the fireplace in the link above.
