11
as sparks. Therefore, it is recommended that only
seasoned 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
seasoned wood, or if you buy green wood (usually
cheaper), store it properly to aid in the seasoning
process. The following steps will assist in the sea-
soning 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.
5.5 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 28.
B. Close windows located near the fireplace when
first lighting a fire to reduce the possibility of
smoking. It can be reopened once a draft has been
created through the chimney.
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. 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
firebox, causing damage to the fireplace.
D. 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 cre-
ate an updraft and clear the flue of cold air.
The following steps are recommended when starting
a fire.
A. Remove any excess ash from the fireplace.
Excessive ash may reduce airflow. Some owners
prefer to leave a small layer to insulate the cold re-
fractory brick below the grate, helping fire starting.
B. Open and close the damper to ensure it operates
properly. Leave it in the full open position when
starting a fire and while the fire is burning.
C. Center the grate over the bottom hearth of the
firebox.
D. Crumble several newspapers across the fire
area underneath the grate. Criss-cross kindling
wood on top of the grate, above the newspaper.
E. 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.
F. 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.
G. Set the screen in front of the firebox to prevent
the escape of sparks and embers.
H. Ensure the fire remains centered in the firebox.
Don’t let it move to the front part. Move it back
with the poker.
I. Add wood to the fire as necessary.
Figure 28. Log Grate
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