Category: Advice | Published: 9 Oct, 2017
Tips for lighting your first fire of the season
The temperature’s dropping, the long nights are drawing in and the season for curling up in front of the fire is here. But what preparation is needed to get your fire or wood burner ready for the autumn and winter seasons?
We answer the most frequently asked questions and outline everything you need to know in order to get the best out of your log fire or wood burning stove this season.
Can I light my first fire of the season without having a sweep?
We advise that you should book your chimney sweep before you think about your first fire of the season.
We also recommend taking this opportunity to get your chimney inspected. When your chimney has been left alone for a large part of the year, problems in the masonry or blockages may have occurred without your realising.
How often should I clean my chimney?
How often a chimney should be cleaned is a matter of opinion. But the general consensus is that for a normal household, once a year is fine. If it’s under particularly heavy use, or if it’s an old flue or chimney, it might be a good idea to have two cleans a year – one in late summer, and one in the new year.
What safety equipment do I need for the new log fire season?
Every woodburner or open fireplace should have the right safety equipment in good working order. This will include smoke detectors on each floor of the house, carbon monoxide detectors near each fuel producing appliances, as well as outside bedrooms. Alarms must be checked once a month, and should be replaced every ten years, or when they no longer sound.
How do I get my fire in working order?
Before your first fire of the season, make sure everything in your fireplace is ready to go. Open the damper or flue before your first fire creates a draft as well as stopping soot and smoke from entering into the room. Leave the damper open for a few minutes while the fire builds, this will allow the chimney to begin drawing the air up.
If the outside temperature is particularly cold, you may want to think about warming up the flue. This can be done simply by lighting a roll of newspaper to warm the air in the flue. If the air in the flue is cold, it will sink down when the fire is lit and cause smoke to blow back into the room.
What type of firewood do I need?
The precise type of wood you use is a personal choice, but generally, firewood should be seasoned. Dry wood burns better, produces more heat and less smoke and is kinder to the system than wet wood. Try and choose hardwood over softwoods – softwoods tend to produce more smoke and can create more creosote build up in the chimney. Hardwoods produce more heat and burn longer so are a better choice for residential fires.
If you’re looking for a fireplace showroom in Manchester and good advice on fire and chimney maintenance, contact ELB Fireplaces today.