The process of starting a fire correctly and in a safe way is of the utmost importance; you need to know how to do it to make sure you get the very best from your logs.

This isn’t just the case for open fires, however, because the same applies to a log burner. Let us explain how you should start a fire in a wood-burning appliance so you can get the most from the experience. 

How to Start a Log Burner

The first thing you should do if you have recently installed a log burner into your home is to check the instruction manual. Your appliance will come with a set of guidelines telling you how to use it and what to avoid.

To begin with, make sure your appliance is relatively clean. Removing as much of the debris from your log burner as possible is sensible to ensure that only the logs and kindling will burn, rather than any potential soot that has been left in the appliance after your last use.

You can now place the firelighters and kindling into the combustion chamber (the area where the fire will take place), making sure the kindling is evenly spread. Light the firelighters and wait for the flames to catch on the kindling. Once this has happened, you can put some logs on top of them and watch the flames build. 

If your fire begins to dwindle, consider poking the logs around to create new pockets of air so the fire can breathe. Otherwise, stick a couple of extra logs on the fire and the flames should build once more.

What to Avoid When Using a Log Burner

You should never use any form of coal in a log burner. This is because log burners aren’t built to handle the temperatures that coal can reach, which is significantly higher than wood. A multi-fuel stove is your best bet for using a mixture of solid fuels.

We suggest you take precautions when building your fire because it can be dangerous if you’re careless. Using a long-handled lighter to get the firelighters going is a smart choice. Protective gloves could also be a consideration for you.

Wood that has not been dried to a moisture level of less than 20% shouldn’t be burned at all, especially not indoors. There are too many pollutants that can disperse from your fire if you burn wood with a high moisture content. Instead, choose kiln-dried wood to ensure that the wood you’re burning is dry enough and that it will perform excellently.

You can expect the kiln-dried wood supplied by Homefire to last for a long time and generate an incredible amount of heat, all the while seeing stunning flames appear. Shop our entire range today to see what bundles we have.