A beautiful wood fire in your fireplace takes the chill out of the air and provides the perfect atmosphere for a relaxing and enjoyable opportunity to daydream while watching the fire.

To create a beautiful fire, you need to start with quality firewood. The best type of wood to burn is hardwood. Their density allows them to burn cleaner and longer. Some hardwoods include birch, alder, oak, maple, ash, and beech. The wood of a fruit tree such as the cherry tree tends to burn with a very pleasant smell.

Your wood must be properly prepared. It is important to find and store your records. The best wood for burning has been aged for a year. Unseasoned wood will smolder and will not produce the desired amount of heat. Dry wood will produce a hot, crackling and efficient fire. A well seasoned log is dark or gray on the outside and when split is white on the inside.

When purchasing lumber, here are the guidelines on quantity:

– Wire: One Pile Approx 4’HX 4’DX 8’L
– Front cord: 4’HX 8’L and just under 4’D
– Full size pick-up truck neatly stacked on top of cab – approx 1 cable
– Full size pick-up truck neatly stacked on top of the box – 2/3 of a rope
– Small size pickup stacked on top of the box – 1/3 wire

These measurements are only approximate. Pick-up truck loads vary depending on the size of the bed and how packed the lumber is. A cable could actually take two pickup charges if it is not charged firmly.

Store your wood outside. Buy a rack to store and protect logs. This allows air to circulate under the stack. When wood is stacked directly on the ground, it will absorb moisture from the ground and the bottom layer will tend to rot. In order for it to dry properly, it must be kept dry and out of the weather. Once dry, keep it covered to protect it from the elements. Bring the wood into the house a few days before starting the fire to help remove any remaining moisture.

To start the fire, use a lot of crumpled newspaper and firewood. A great fuel to use is fatty wood. It is 100″ natural lumber harvested from softwood stump, the best wood for kindling. Thick lumber is non-toxic, environmentally friendly, easy to use, burns extremely hot and only takes a few sticks to burn. Light the fire.

After placing the newspaper and chips in the fireplace, firmly stack at least three or more pieces of wood in the fireplace crosswise. A tight pile of wood burns more slowly. Light your firewood and watch your fire grow. Once the fire is burning, there will be times when you need your fireplace tools to rearrange the logs as they move and burn. That’s where your fireplace poker and flip flops come in handy. And then, once the ashes are cold, cleaning is easily done with the chimney shovel and brush.

So there you have it. We’ve covered everything from buying, storing, and building your fireplace. I hope this helps you to create a warm and cozy fire in your home.