How to build the perfect (real) fireplace fire....

Joseph Janney's Virginia (book) | Dec. 27, 2006 | Ralph Davis

[AnalogReigns]

This season I just thought I'd share to y'all this method. It really does work well...and wood fireplace fires are so much more interesting than silly boring gas fireplace fires!

[ImAmericanFirst]

Is there a way to somehow pipe the heat and join to the oil burner furnace heating sytem?

[AnalogReigns]

Probably not. In the old days they did hang pots over the fire though...

[Jaysun]

Is there a way to somehow pipe the heat and join to the oil burner furnace heating sytem?

I'm not sure I understand your question, but they do sell "fans" for wood burning and gas burning fireplaces. These fans are electric and they typically fit across the bottom of the fireplace opening and blow heat out into the room.

[Brad’s Gramma]

BTTT!!!

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Hey, Gabz! Git over here! :)

[Jaysun]

It's very simple and requires a minimum of fuss. First you need something to support the wood--NOT modern cast iron "coal grate" log holders, nor the worse iron grates which cause the logs to roll together....these just don't work well making a lasting fire. Old fashioned "andirons" (those things with tall posts, sometimes brass, in front and flat rails a few inches off the fireplace floor extending to the back) or even a couple of bricks will work fine. I repeat, get rid of the typical home's fireplace grate--great fires cannot be made using them.

I've no choice but to use the modern "coal grate" tonight. Where in the hell does one find an andiron anyway? And the bed of ashes was a surprise. I was always taught to clean the ashes away before building a fire.

[MaxMax]

Gasoline works for me.

[DManA]

My Father-in-Law one year shoved the entire Christman tree up the flu and lit it. That was the year of the BIG fire.

[BipolarBob]

In the old days they did hang pots over the fire though...

You are quite correct. My father built a log cabin (as a hobby I guess) and the fireplace had hinged arms that one could swing out over the fire or towards the floor. One attached pots on them (by their handles) and was able to cook or serve quite handily.

[crz]

A fireplace insert is about the only way if you dont have the heat ducks built into your fireplace.

Fireplaces are not a good way to heat. To do any heating at all with them you must keep them going 24/7. Expect to use tons of wood if you do.

They do become better with an insert.

[CGASMIA68]

Thanks fer the glowing advise...My 1776 center chimney,3 fire place colonial remembers all of your procedure very well,but my Vigelent/Vmnt Castings(sp) woodstove has eliminated all the dangers associated with the old time procedure.....Stay warm and thanks for an interesting read...

[squarebarb]

Me too.

And here I just went and bought an expensive new grate!

Dang.

But I notice the old 'grate' which was very low, almost no legs, soldered together out of rebar, made a much warmer fire.

Well, so much for my new grate.

[AnalogReigns]

I got a beautiful antique pair of hand-forged iron andirons on ebay a year ago for 13 bucks...

Ebay always has the (cheaper, mostly ornamental) brass kind on there. They will work too though.

A woodstove shop or places that sell fireplace utensils can get real anirons for you. But like I said, they are hard to find, as no one seems to know how to properly make a fire these days.

Key is having the rails the logs sit on straight, not bent, or tilted backwards, like grates usually are, as you don't want the logs to roll together.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

*SIGH* I'd really like a fireplace...but in a house like mine (1906 American Four Square) in "The Great White North" they are totally inefficient.

On a more positive note, I did get my natural gas bill today. After a high of a $317.00 CREDIT when they adjusted my budget plan in July, I finally owe the gas company $37.00 after a five month break. Dang! And I thought new windows and added insulation and weather stripping wouldn't amount to jack. ;)

Fireplaces ARE romantic, and knowing how to build a fire in the outdoors is a skill every Able-Bodied American should have, but unless your home is designed to work around a fireplace, they aren't the smartest use of your energy dollar.

And the best part about being an "Eeeeeeevil Conservative" is CONSERVING resources, is it not? ;)

*Ducking While Others Pelt Me With Rotten Tomatoes* :)

[Gabz]

Traditional andirons work perfectly (even though they are hard to find these days).

No, they are not........I found one at the local dump.....

This is great info, but it doesn't do me a bit of good for building a fire in the woodstove :(

[leda]

take notes my pyro man ;)

[crz]

You can have a good welder make a set for you. A blacksmith also.

All they are is two good heavy pieces of steel bent up 90 degrees at one end. 6 inch I beam would work fine. The upright end must not be beyond the throat of the firepit.

[Jaysun]

Me too.
And here I just went and bought an expensive new grate!
Dang.
But I notice the old 'grate' which was very low, almost no legs, soldered together out of rebar, made a much warmer fire.
Well, so much for my new grate.

Cut the legs off man. I looked up a picture of an andiron and cut the legs off of mine in the garage, moments ago. I think it'll work. We'll see.

[BipolarBob]

And the best part about being an "Eeeeeeevil Conservative" is CONSERVING resources, is it not? ;)

If you own wooded acreage and if you wish it to cleared of tree litter (broken or dead branches/trees) it is conserving to capture that energy source decaying away (and releasing greenhouse gasses in the process). You have the added plus of eliminating a fire hazrd on your property.