tracktime

Hi

Lived in the country for 9 years now and still can't light a coal/log fire without getting covered in black muck.
Ether get a blaze that would power the flighing scots man or nowt

What is the best way?


Coal, fire lighters , cinderling ? wood only ect

tried getting a real flame but no fitter in the area and nobody intrested in travelling out here

Rob

David Lock

Clean grate (assume chimney is clean and draws OK?)

Two firelighters in middle

Handful of kindling on top

Clean burn coal or logs on top of that but not too much or air won't get through

Light firelighter

Add coal/logs as required. I found a coal and log mix worked well.

Keep warm

beemerboy

is that cinderellas baby?? lol

1 can of petrol + 1 neighbours tree = Fire.

Albert Beemerstein

Puff The Magic Wagon!

iTrader: (2)

We have 2 fireplaces (2 old cottages in one)

1 has a COAL fireplace and the other a WOOD. I don't mix the 2.

However the starting principal is the same.

Make a bed for your firelighter - ie put some coal below and behind where you will put the firelighter or a log behind the wood one.

Light the firelighter

Put dry kindling into a teepee type shape (cone) above the firelighter to draw the air/smoke upwards. Surround the teepee with the fuel of your choice - small bits not big lumps of coal or large logs.

For coal, just keep it stocked up and for logs, wait until the fire is well alight, then lay down your logs horizontally and keep stacking that way - allows the logs to roll together and keep the fire stoked.

Puff The Magic Wagon!

iTrader: (2)

With a coal fire, keep the grate clean/clear as air underneath draws through.

With a log fire, never clear the ash out and don't bother clearing under the grate. Reason is that wood burns faster than coal and you want to get a warm heart in and allow it to smoulder really & keep the heat in. If you stack a wood fire properly last thing at night, you should be able to draw the remaining embers together & set it off again in the morning.

(Caveat that different woods are better than others at keeping in all night)

Jamie

pmsl

logiclee

I follow PTMW example although I do put a small bed of coal under the firelighters although it's a small bed and lets air through.

Open all bottom vents or leave the ash cover off while the fire is being lit. Replace and throttle down the vents to regulate the fire once it's going.

Cheers
Lee

David Lock

Agree with comments about keeping log ash in fireplace. We just used to clear any excess every few weeks depending on usage. Can't beat a decent log fire - we now have a gas flame effect thingy and it just ain't the same.. DL

S.B.

Optimax

skiddus_markus

We used to have a coal fire and I'd use old newspapers to light it.Crumple up a few sheets to make a base then open up the paper and take 3 or 4 sheets at a time and roll them into a tight tube(also basis for a Millwall brick).Starting from an end,fold about 5" of the tube in and do this a fww times until you have a neat parcel.Wedge the other end of the tube into the parcel and you have a nice little paper brick.5-10 of these will get the fire going.
Light the crumpled paper underneath and watch the strangely pleasant sight that is flame.If it you don't have a door on the fire then place a coal shovel in front of the fire and use opened newspaper to make a "door" which will help the chimney draw air in and get it going.

Puff The Magic Wagon!

iTrader: (2)

Damn - just lit one in the log hearth, should've done a step-by-step photo guide

Using damp wood & sticks I just hoovered off the ground under the trees...

Roaring now

Puff The Magic Wagon!

iTrader: (2)

Oh & if I use more than 1 match I feel disappointed

Dave T-S

Puff you are a poof what's this firelighter thing

Big pile of scrunched up individual pages of newspaper, handful of kindling on top laid crosswise as much as possible to get air underneath, couple of small logs on top, Robert is your father's brother

Puff The Magic Wagon!

iTrader: (2)

Ooh you're such a purist Dave

Don't forget that as you're going to be my neighbour, I can pop round & check out your cupboards for firelighters - find any & your *** is grass

Dave T-S

PMSL

Actually, there are firelighters by the hearth but they are Lesley's - I dont use 'em

Besides, if my **** is grass I can use that for kindling

mart360

hot air gun on coal!!!

it goes balistic when it ignites!!!!

never need firelighters either

M

IWatkins

Maximum surface area is what you want to get it going. I.e. lots of burning syurface but with minimum bluk to get air through.

I.e. sheet of newspaper tied into a single overhand knot (burns longer). Three of these. On top place very fine kinderling (3 - 5mm thick), then thicker stuff (10mm) then some good size stuff.

One match and your away. Get bigger and bigger bits of fuel on as you go.

Cheers

Ian (FireStarter)

Doc

Gas poker is the way to go. No messing about with paper or firelighters just load up the wood burner with big logs stuff the poker in and light. Just don't leave it in too long or the end of the poker tends to melt.

workshy_fopp

Barbecue lighting fluid on coal works a treat. 2 quid a bottle and does easy 10 fires.
There's also the forced induction trick with a sheet of newspaper once the fires is going a bit (has to be a broadsheet) over the top 3/4 of the fireplace. makes it suck in air like a *******