Nov. 4, 2006
Come On, Baby, Light Your Fire
If You Have A Fireplace, You Ought To Know How To Use It
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Play CBS Video Video How To Build A Perfect Fire Rent-A-Husband Kaile Warren teaches Russ Mitchell how to build a safe and perfect fire- from how to stack your wood to lighting it.
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(AP)
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News Tools Rent-A-Husband's Advice Check out Kaile Warren's Web site, for plenty of home improvement pointers.
Warren grew up in Maine, where he learned from his father how to build a proper fire. It’s no big secret; the stacking method he uses is the same one favored by the Chimney Safety Institute of America.
) And, since he started working on this, a number of women in his office have told him that their boyfriends/husbands were never taught how to build the perfect fire, so they are looking forward to this segment.
The segment will be cover four main areas...things to do before you light your first fire of the season, components (wood and kindling), arranging the components, and lighting the fire/keeping it going.
Before you light the first fire of the season, remember that safety is paramount. Make sure:
Components:
The best wood to burn is hard wood, preferably oak or maple. Burning soft wood is not recommended because it will make it more difficult for you to keep your chimney clean. "Seasoned" wood {wood that has been cut, stored, and dried for over one year} is recommended over "green" wood {has been cut for less than one year} Seasoned wood will have a lower optimum, which means it will burn quicker and easier. So, for a truly perfect fire, use seasoned hardwood.
Arrangement:
Once you have the wood, it's important to arrange it properly. You need to allow for air passage, or it won't burn properly. If you start to get a lot of smoke, it means your fire is not getting enough air. That is why the wood needs to be properly placed before burning. (You can use your poker to rearrange the wood if necessary.) If it's packed too tight, it won't allow for proper air flow. If it's too spread out, the concentration will be ruined.
Warren prefers the "tower stacking" method. You'll want to build it from the bottom up. It should consist of four layers, or "grids." The bottom two grids should be made of logs, and the top two should be made of kindling. Also, there should be 1- to 2-inch spaces between each layer.
At each level, as you work your way up, the diameter of the wood you use should get smaller, and each row should be stacked in an alternate direction. For example, for the bottom row, the ends should face you, and for the next row, they should be placed perpendicular to the first row.
Grid 1 (bottom): Biggest logs. Diameter of 6 inches, about a foot to 16 inches long, with the ends facing you.
Grid 2: Logs should 3 to 4 inches in diameter, and they should run perpendicular to the first layer.
Grid 3: Now the wood is getting smaller, and could be considered kindling. You should use sticks with about a 2-inch diameter, and they should be running the same way as the first row (with the ends facing you).
Grid 4: This is what most think of when they think of kindling. To top off your stack, use sticks that are about an inch or so in diameter, or twigs.
Once the stack is complete, you can add some other kindling-type items to help accelerate the fire. Warren likes to lay a sheet of newspaper down, and sprinkle leaves, pine cones, and pine needles over it. As the top burns, these things will drop to the bottom, like a towering inferno. Some people call this entire method a "top down" burn.
But, he warns, don't use newspaper anywhere else in your fire. Use it only as kindling.
Warren does not recommend using any chemicals, like lighter fluid, which can be very dangerous. If you are going to use an accelerant that is not found in nature, he suggests wax.
Keeping it going: Once you light the fire, it will burn for hours. If you want to prolong the burn, have a full complement of wood available. If you want a long, hot, low-maintenance fire, the "top down" burn is ideal. To keep it going, make sure that when you add more wood, you keep the arrangement going. Don't just throw another piece on. You'll want to rebuild your tower from the first available level. And be sure to use your tools, especially tongs.
To snuff out the fire, simply sprinkle water onto the fire. Do not pour it.
Finally, once again, be sure to keep your fireplace clean. Remove the coals, and make sure you put them in metal container.
©MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Best-selling author Mitch Albom on his first nonfiction work since "Tuesdays with Morrie."
