8
Experienced fire builders often use small amounts of
softwood kindling and newspaper when starting a split
hardwood log fire.
4.4 Seasoned Wood
Most freshly cut “green” wood will not burn well and
will smoke. The pressure of moisture and resin inside
green wood will build under heat and explode as
sparks. Therefore, it is recommended that only sea-
soned wood be used in your fireplace.
Most wood requires 9 to 12 months of seasoning and
drying to reduce the moisture content enough to pro-
duce good steady fires. Ensure that you buy only sea-
soned wood, or if you buy green wood (usually
cheaper), store it properly to aid in the seasoning pro-
cess. The following steps will assist in the seasoning
process.
A. Stack wood loosely to permit maximum air cir-
culation.
B. Do not stack wood on the ground. Use a wood
rack or stack on scrap lumber. Storage on the ground
will cause rotting and insect infiltration.
C. Cover wood stacks with a tarp so that it is not
excessively exposed to the elements such as snow
and rain.
D. Do not stack wood against the walls of your
home.
4.5 Building a Fire
A. Use a log grate (sold separately) with your fire-
place. This will contribute to good air circulation
around the wood, and keep the wood out of the ash.
This grate is shown in Figure 16.
B. Do not overload the wood grate with wood.
Three to four logs on the fire at one time are suffi-
cient. Too much wood on the fire at one time can
result in “over firing,” and too much heat in the fire-
box, causing damage to the fireplace.
WARNING: NEVER USE GASOLINE,
GASOLINE-TYPE LANTERN
FUEL, KEROSENE, CHARCOAL
LIGHTER FLUID OR SIMILAR
LIQUIDS TO START OR
“FRESHEN UP” A FIRE IN THE
FIREPLACE. KEEP ALL SUCH
LIQUIDS WELL AWAY FROM
THE FIREPLACE WHILE IT IS
IN USE.
C. When lighting a fire in a cold chimney, a
downdraft may be created, letting a little smoke into
the room. To correct this, hold a wadded newspaper
in the firebox and light it. This will create an updraft
and clear the flue of cold air.
D. Remove any excess ash from the fireplace. Ex-
cessive ash may reduce airflow. Some owners prefer
to leave a small layer to insulate the cold refractory
brick below the grate, helping fire starting.
E. Center the grate over the bottom hearth of the
firebox.
F. Crumble several newspapers across the fire area
below the grate. Criss-cross kindling wood on top of
the grate, above the newspaper.
G. Lay three logs on the grate; two side by side and
the third in pyramid fashion on top. Split logs will
start faster. Ensure there is space between the logs
for air circulation. As the air is heated, it is drawn
upwards through the space between the logs, creating
more combustion.
H. Light the paper at both sides of the firebox.
Caution: The fireplace requires air for operation.
Ensure there is sufficient air so that other
fuel burning appliances are not starved of
combustion, ventilation, and dilution air.
I. Set the screen in front of the firebox to prevent
the escape of sparks and embers.
J. Ensure the fire remains centered in the firebox.
Don’t let it move to the front part. Move it back with
the poker.
K. Add wood to the fire as necessary.
CAUTION: Be extremely careful when adding wood
to the fire. Use proper fireplace tools and
wear gloves. Un-split logs will be less stable
Figure 16. Log Grate
Summary of Contents for SA-36PS
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