How to build a fire - Accessories

When building a fire there are certain tools one needs: Newspaper, kindling, small and large pieces of wood, preferably seasoned and long matches. Also, it's good to have a fire extinguisher near by as well.

The fireplace should be free of ash when making a fire. Pieces of newspaper may be crumbled up and placed under the grate that holds the wood. Kindling can be placed on top of the grate, and one or two pieces of the larger wood may be placed over the kindling so that it doesn't smother the smaller pieces. Some people choose to use a pyramid style of stacking wood, so that the paper and kindling have a chance to catch fire, letting the flame rise up and ignite the larger pieces.

Once the set up of paper and wood is ready in the firebox then the paper can be ignited. Long matches are best so that the fingers don't get burned while lighting the paper. Once the paper and kindling are ignited the larger pieces, if seasoned will catch soon and more wood can be added. The damper must be half way open for the proper air flow to aid the fire. Closing the flue a small amount after the fire has caught well will promote heat in the desired areas and keep the fire from burning out too quickly.