If you want to make a fire in a fireplace without a smoke- here are some tips:
- Wet wood will produce more smoke than dry wood
- The top down method is an easy way to start a fire without smoke
- Seasoned wood will produce a cleaner burn than fresh wood
- A damper should be fully open before the fire is lit
- Windows and vents should be opened to allow for airflow
I never grew up using a fireplace. In fact, the only time I ever saw a fireplace was when we would go visit my grandparents in upstate New York. My grandparents had a beautiful stone fireplace in their living room. It was always so warm and cozy in that room during the winter.
When I moved into my own home, I decided that I wanted to install a fireplace in my own living room. I went to the store and bought a few pieces of wood, and started to try and figure out how to make a fire. It was definitely harder than it looked! The first few times, I ended up creating a lot of smoke, which made the whole house smell like burning wood.
I kept trying though, and after a while, I managed to learn how to make a fire without all the smoke. It’s not as hard as it seems – you just need to know the right techniques:
It seems like where there is fire there is going to be smoke. That does not have to be the case. There are some ways to have a fire in a fireplace without the smoke.
Why Smoke is Produced
When starting a fire in the fireplace you need to understand why a fire produces smoke. A fire will produce more smoke when the fuel that is being burned is not properly combusted. When a fire is having trouble burning it will create smoke.
Wood may be used to make a fire but it will not provide a clean burn. Wood and other materials will create a byproduct from fuel that is wasted. The smoke is the form of waste. There are some common things that lead to smoke in a fireplace.
This can be due to an issue with the fuel. If the wood is wet there is going to be a lot of smoke. If there is not enough oxygen to support the fire smoke is going to be created.
Top Down Method
This is one method that will not smoke. This may be a little different than what you have done to start the fire. When the fire is started at the base of the logs of material this can lead to poor air supply and smoke.
Instead of putting the fire starters at the bottom of the fireplace on top of the logs or material that is going to be burnt. When using this method the logs are put down. On top of the logs are the kindlings and the fire starter on top.
This will not create some when the fire is started. This will make a cleaner burn and it will give the starts the air then need. Since the fire will have the correct supply of oxygen smoke is not produced.
The fire will then burn down to the logs. This will allow the fire to last longer since additional wood or materials will not need to be added.
Moisture Content
The more moisture the wood has the more smoke it will produce. Wood should not have a moisture content above 20 percent or it will not have a clean burn. You can use a moisture meter on your wood to detect the percentage of moisture that is in it.
Freshly cut wood will have more moisture. The wood will need to be seasoned or kiln dried before it can be used in an indoor fireplace. Dry wood will burn cleaner and it will not produce the smoky mess that wet wood does.
Draft
To help reduce some maximize the draft. Lack of airflow can lead to smoke so the fireplace should have enough air to burn properly and keep it going. To help with proper air flow there are some things that you can do.
The chimney should be swept once a year to reduce buildup and allow for airflow. If there is a damper on the fireplace it should be fully open before the fire is lit. any doors and external air vents or even windows that are in the same room as the fireplace should be opened when it is started.
Before starting the fire warm up the chimney. This will help start the draft and keep smoke out of the home. Once the fire is going the windows can be closed to keep the hot air in the home and prevent it from escaping.
These are some ways to make a fire and enjoy the warm glow without having to worry about smoke. If you want to have a nice fire without the mess of the smoke these tips can help you.
When you have a fire in the fireplace you may like the heat it produces and the warm glow. There is one thing that you may not like and that is the smoke that is produced by the fire.
Hi, my name’s Eugene Duke and I love sitting by my fireplace reading a book and sipping on an adult beverage. Do you have a fireplace in your house? I’ll help you figure out the best type and style of fireplace for your home.
