How to build the perfect holiday fire!

Seeing as Christmas is just around the bend, I thought I'd make a guide showing users how to effectively start a fire in their fireplace! (For those of you who have those ancient non-gas fireplaces)

Required items:

• Fireplace
• 5 Pages of newspaper
• Kindling (Finely chopped logs)
• Logs
• Matches/Lighter

Possible items:

• A hatchet (If you'd prefer not to buy the kindling)

Step 1 - Newspaper​

- Take your newspaper, and rip 5 pages in half.

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Source: seanblanda.com​

- Crumple each of the ripped pages into a ball (You should have 10). Set one aside, you only need 9.

Source: shutterstock.com​

- Place your newspaper into the fireplace. Organize the newspaper so it's dimensions are 3x3. You want to place them as close together as possible, yet without forcing it.

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Step 2 - Kindling​

- Kindling is wood that's been cut to small, slim pieces. This is necessary for starting the fire. We'll need 8 pieces of kindling to start the fire. You can either A. chop it yourself, or B. Buy it.

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Source: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41NDPR6DQSL.jpg​

- Set up your kindling on top of the newspaper balls. You'll set the kindling down 2 at a time. So 2 will go horizontal, the next two will go vertical. Like a little # sign. The reason behind this is that you want the fire to get lots of air - you don't want to suffocate it! Here's what is should look like from above:

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- Carefully use a match/lighter to set fire to the newspaper under the wood in these 4 locations:

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• NOTE: Kindling is made only to start the fire; don't try to keep the fire going using it, it won't last long!

Step 3 - Adding logs​

- Once you have a small fire going, you need to add 1-2 logs. Placement and sizing is key when it comes to this step. You don't want to lay the logs across he fire, or get too big of logs for your small flame to handle - you'll smother it! You want to get 1-2 medium sized logs, and place them on an angle against the fire, still giving it plenty of breathing room. Here's what it should look like from the side:

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- Continue to add logs depending on whatever the size of fire you'd like. In my opinion, having 3 large logs on at once is the max. Make sure not to overload it, as your fireplace isn't made for bonfires.

Step 4 - Enjoy!​

Source: http://www.corbisimages.com/images/572/1F7CF8FE-C728-47D8-8B52-B432D260AF72/42-21521934.jpg​

Congratulations! You can now enjoy a warming fire! Merry Christmas!​

Excuse the cheesy graphics - I couldn't find the necessary pictures on Google, so I had to improvise! All constructive criticism is welcome!

 

Quite a nice guide. A different method to that of which I use, however I am sure it is more effective. The only thing I can think of that would improve it is by using your own pictures. It might take a small amount of time, but all you need really is a mobile phone and a USB cable for it. It would make the guide look a lot more friendly and clear as you can take the pictures as you see fit rather than having to compromise with random ones from google.

4/5 ^_^ :love:

 

Thanks!

Originally I was going to use my own pictures, but I couldn't find the cable I needed to hook up my camera to the computer. =\

 

This guide is awesome! But I already know my own cabin technique Very simple and easy to follow though. Thanks!

 

Pretty good guide, 8.5/10. Although I have a gas fireplace this could come in handy while camping this summer, thanks. P.S. nice last pic lolol

 

I'm glad you liked it, thanks for the feedback!

Thanks. I'm curious though, what did you dock off points for? If it's something I can improve on, I'd love to know.

 

This is something I wanted to learn how to do, and now I've learned it. Thanks.

 

Awesome, I'm glad I could help.