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How to Start a Fire in a Stove or Wood Insert

wood stove

Properly starting a fire in a wood stove or insert is a science, and the average person doesn’t know that. Good fires start slow, and then becomes bigger as it sits. Don’t don’t just throw in a match with the logs, learn the correct way to do it!

Seasoning

The best type of wood to use in a wood burning fireplace is dry and seasoned wood. You want the fire to have a clean burn, with mostly heat and a little amount of smoke. Wood that is seasoned is usually used indoors, but some people use it outside for bonfires and fire pits. Seasoned wood is very light because it is stripped of moisture, and that’s the type you want to use. A dense log will be harder to light and will cause a bunch of smoke.

Before Lighting

Newspaper is the best material for kindling the fire because of how dry and thin it is, and flammable. You don’t want to use magazines or catalogs because they are made from thicker paper, and the chemicals used in the ink are not good to breathe in. Make sure the scrunch the newspaper up and make a layer of it at the bottom of the stove before laying down the wood. Use split logs, instead of round, when laying the fire. Split wood is easier to light, and you can add in round logs after the fire is lit.

Stacking the Wood

Try to lay the wood down in a jenga pattern and put the first layer of logs in a vertical pattern with some space in between each log. Alternate between vertical and horizontal until all of your desired wood is placed. This makes the flames rise at a steady pace, rather than all at once. A teepee-style wood structure goes up in flames right away, which is not what you want. Stacking them in a jenga-style way will ensure a longer lasting fire. Also, add wood chips to the top of your stack of wood and around the bottom.

Lighting Your Fire

Before lighting the fire, check to see that your stove is set to allow the maximum amount of air into its box. You want oxygen to enter because flames are attracted to it. Light the newspaper that you had put in the stove and leave the door to the stove open for about 5 minutes or less while everything settles. Closing the door too quickly after lighting might make the fire blow out. Do the same with a wood burning insert, and make sure the flue is open while allowing the fire to rise. Leave the screen or doors on your insert open for a little while before completely shutting it.

Contact Us

New England Hearth & Home can help you out with all your fireplace and stove needs. Give us a call at 781-562-0771 or fill out our contact form. We look forward to hearing from you!

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Safety Tips for Your Fireplace or Wood Stove

logs burning in a fireplace

For the safety of you and your home, you should have your fireplace and chimney inspected once a year for any issues. You should also have your chimney swept as necessary. Between those inspections and cleanings, there are other things you can do to keep it looking and working its best.

All Fireplaces and Chimneys

There are safety precautions to take when it comes to having a fireplace and chimney in your home. Never leave a fire unattended. If by any chance it does start to spread outside of the fireplace, you could end up with your home burning as well. Always keep a fire extinguisher handy in your house just in case!

Keep the Area Clear

Keep the area around the fireplace clear of papers or other debris. This can attract sparks out of the fireplace and to places they don’t need to be. This also goes for decorations above and around the fireplace. Around the holidays, it’s tempting to hang garland and other flammable items around the area of the fireplace, and place plants and such in front of it as well. Just be cautious of what is around it and make sure it is far enough away that it won’t cause the fire to spread.

If your fireplace doesn’t have a glass door, use a mesh wire screen to help keep the sparks contained. Try not to ever have your fireplace or stove completely open with no barrier. You’ll still feel just as much heat from the fire if you have a screen, than if you left it open with nothing protecting it.

Building a Fire

Before building your fire, make sure the damper is open. That lets smoke release out of the chimney. When placing logs in the fireplace, put enough to make a fire that is the correct size for your fireplace. Burning too much wood can make too hot of a fire and damage your fireplace, or start to spill out of the fireplace.

What Not to Burn

Try to use seasoned wood that has been aged for about 6 months, to a year. Also, never burn wet, rotted, moldy, or diseased wood. This can give off gases that are harmful to you. Other items can release chemicals as well – such as wrapping paper, magazines, trash, boxes, and green wood (such as Christmas trees).

Masonry or Prefabricated Wood Burning Fireplaces

Masonry and prefabricated wood fireplaces can he different safety precautions. For masonry ones, remove ashes with a metal shovel and make sure to keep the ash in a metal container until it has cooled off. You can then use it as a fertilizer if you want! For prefabricated fireplaces, always read the manufacturer’s directions before starting your fire.

Having a fireplace can bring warmth and style to your home. Make sure you keep your house safe, as well as you and your family, while still enjoying everything a fireplace has to offer!

Contact Us

New England Hearth & Home can assist you with all of your fireplace needs! Contact us today at 781-562-0771 or fill out our contact form. We look forward to hearing from you!

 

 

 

 

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Fireplace Trends We’ll See in 2020

Fireplaces seem to go in and out of style – and fast. 2019 brought back fireplaces as a focal point in living rooms, dining rooms, as well as bedrooms. Lets see what 2020 is predicted to have in store for us.

Linear Interior

In 2020, big, linear and contemporary fireplaces will be installed in homes. Not even just contemporary-styled homes, but even just in regular ones as well. Linear fireplaces are a versatile style and can be placed anywhere in a home. These are becoming more versatile and are found in more homes rather than just newer ones.

Large Fireplaces

Gas fireplaces are expanding their size. A larger face area of the fireplace has a sense of elegance and prestige. In the past, fireplaces have has a more rectangle shape but are now becoming square. This makes a better area for the fire to be viewable to the room its in.

Flexibility of Fireplaces

Traditionally, fireplaces would require non-flammable materials to surround it such as brick, stone, or tile. Now there is technology that allows wood and wallpaper to surround it as well. It is also okay for TVs to be hung directly above without putting the TV at risk. 2020 will bring even more fireplace styles that stray from traditional.

Cornered Style

Open floor plans are becoming more and more common in new construction, as well as complete renovations. Adding a cornered fireplace can add a sense of division between parts of an open floor plan. It still leaves you with the open feeling, but differentiates parts of the room as a whole. A great way to add this style is by putting a textured design above the fireplace made of combustible materials.

Controlled Heat

Newer construction and renovation materials are made to be more insulated and energy-conscious than older ones. This results in not needing as much heat to keep a house warm. Having a fireplace with controllable heat options allows you to have it heat your home, but also not use too much energy. This is good if you want the fireplace to just have an aesthetically-pleasing look in whichever room it is in, without over-heating the area.

Smart Remotes for Your Fireplace

Gas fireplaces are a smart technology these days. They can be controlled by a remote, just like a TV. With this, you are able to maintain a certain temperature and save energy. It’s basically a portable thermostat. You can also set it to turn off at certain times, like at night if you want it on before bed.

Contact Us

New England Hearth & Home can take care of your fireplace needs. Contact us at 781-562-0771 or fill out our service request form on our website!

 

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Best Ways to Clean Fireplace Doors

Owning a wood burning fireplace in your home comes with responsibility to keep it looking good as new. It is a great luxury to have in your home, and can bring up the value of your home if you are choosing to sell. In order to keep your you fireplace a safe place to burn wood, you must take proper care of it. Cleaning and maintenance to your fireplace can keep you and your home safe, as well.

Cleaning Basics

First things first – make sure you take the fireplace doors off the fireplace before cleaning them! It can be a messy task. Lay them down flat on a towel or rag, since soot will get all over the place. You could also do this outside or in a garage to avoid getting your home dirty.

All-Natural Options

There are ways to clean your fireplace doors without chemicals and sprays. You can clean it by just using a newspaper or paper towel and ash. Wipe the glass with the ash in a circular motion to loosen the stuck-on soot. You can repeat this until all of the soot is gone. Afterwards, you can go over it one more time, but with glass cleaner to make sure you get it completely clean, if you want.

 Make Your Own Cleaner

You can make a homemade cleaner using vinegar and ammonia. This includes 1 cup of vinegar, 3 cups of warm water, and 1 tablespoon of ammonia. Put this all in a spray bottle, and spray the doors and let it sit for about 30 seconds before scrubbing it on the glass. You might have to do this 2-3 times to get all the soot off.

Commercial Cleaner

You can always use a store-bought cleaner to clean your fireplace doors. There is no shame in that! If you want a strong cleaner, a store-bought one is the best way to go. Just make sure the one you buy is suitable for a fireplace. Commercial cleaner is great to have handy in your home.

Professionally Cleaned

If you get your home professionally cleaned, they will most likely clean your fireplace doors. This can save you time and effort, and have your fireplace looking great!

No matter what way you choose, regularly cleaning your fireplace glass doors will make it easier on you. Less harsh scrubbing if you do it regularly. Take care of your fireplace so it is always looking its best! Contact New England Hearth & Home for all of your fireplace needs. Call us at 781-562-0771 or fill out our contact form. We look forward to hearing from you!