How to Burn Wood in a Traditional Fireplace

Open the fireplace damper to allow the smoke from the burning wood to escape up the chimney and not billow into the house. Reach inside the firebox to find the damper handle against the front of the fireplace. Depending on the manufacturer of the damper, you must pull down, push up or slide the handle to the left or right. Some damper handles indicate which way to open the damper, but if you are unable to determine which way to move the handle, shine a flashlight up the chimney from inside the firebox to visually inspect whether or not the damper is in the open position.

Wad up three or four sheets of old newspaper and place the papers in the center of your fireplace grate. Place six or seven 1/2-inch-by-10-inch pieces of dry kindling on top of the newspapers to form a loose teepee. Ensure that space exists between each piece of kindling to allow for air circulation.

Place six to 10 pieces of dry firewood measuring approximately 1-inch-by-12-inch in a crisscross pattern over the top of the kindling, again leaving space for air circulation. Strike a fireplace match or use a barbecue lighter to ignite the newspapers in three or four locations.

Add split firewood toward the back of the grate once the kindling and larger pieces of wood have established a flame. Add only two or three pieces of split firewood at a time to avoid smothering the fire and putting out the flames. Close the fireplace screen to catch any sparks that could fly into your home.