If you are a novice at starting and burning a fire in your fire pit or fireplace here are some tips that may help you out. Have you ever wondered why sometimes it is difficult to
get a fire started? Have you ever had difficulty keeping your fire going? Hopefully some of the suggestions in this article will get you on your way to having easy nice burning fires in your fire pit or fireplace.
Getting a fire started can be a tricky task if you are not using the right kind of wood. There are several types of wood to take into consideration when building a fire in your fire pit or fireplace. First you have what is called hardwood; these types of wood have a higher density than others. Hardwood will burn steadier and longer. Some hardwoods include: Oak, Cherry, Walnut, Ash, Beach and Hickory. Other woods are referred to as softwoods. These types of wood are less dense and tend to burn fast. Softwoods include: Pines, Spruce, Fir and Redwood. Depending on your geographic area there are a wide variety of woods to burn. Specific types of wood will be more readily available in certain areas and limited in other areas.
To get a fire started you want to use kindling, this is small pieces of wood such as branches and twigs that ignites easily. Remnants from splitting wood are perfect for using as kindling. The kindling should go on the bottom. Using Fatwood is a great way to get your kindling burning. Fatwood is a type of pine that is naturally saturated with sap which burns easily; this makes it great for getting a fire started. However, Fatwood is not good for maintaining a fire. Put one piece of Fatwood under your kindling and your fire will get started easily. Once you have your kindling burning then you should gradually add larger pieces of wood to the fire. This should help you get a consistent long burning fire. Be sure never to burn treated or painted wood, as you will risk toxins being released into the air that could be dangerous to breath.
The most important thing about the wood you are going to burn in your fire pit or fireplace is that it needs to be seasoned wood. This means the wood needs to be dried all the way through, which takes some time. When wood is first cut it is, green, this means it is moist on the inside. As wood sits it will start drying out. Wood will season best if you split it. It is very important that you store the wood in a dry place. It is best if left uncovered so it can get air and moisture can evaporate. Wood should be seasoned for at least one year to be at its best for burning.
In summary, the most important thing to remember when building a fire is to be sure your wood is dry and seasoned. Use Fatwood to get your kindling burning and then add larger pieces of wood as your fire is starting to burn. Remember that harder woods will burn longer and make a more steady fire unlike softwoods which will burn faster. Whether you have a wood burning fire pit or a fireplace, use these tips to start enjoying a fire today.
