Enjoy your fireplace in comfort and safety
One of the nice things about a fireplace is how little work is really involved compared to the pleasure it gives. Once the fire is going it pretty much takes care of itself. But getting one to burn properly is something of an art form, so here is what we tell customers on the phone.
Burning a fire well, start to finish
Five things worth knowing before the first cold night. Open any chapter to read it.
What to Burn ?
Let's start with your "fuel." The type of wood you use is quite important. The best type of wood to burn is a nice, dry, seasoned hardwood such as beech, maple, ash, or oak. By "seasoned" I mean that it has been dried for a minimum of one year for the best results. The drier the wood, the hotter the fire, and it will burn evenly and cleanly. Young wood, on the other hand, is 50% moisture; in other words, it is water, which tends not to burn too well. Burning soft or sappy woods like pine will give you a fire that is not very hot, comparatively speaking. Plus, you risk having a creosote buildup in your chimney. Find a reliable, quality firewood supplier in your area.
How to Start a Fire and Keep It Going
Safety
Having trouble starting your fire? Many products can help make this easier. Dry kindling, starter gel, and fatwood are safe to use and sufficiently combustible to get you off to a good start. Always use a long wooden match to ignite the fire. NEVER throw any kind of liquid accelerant into a fireplace, especially if a flame is present. You can easily burn yourself or end up burning down your home.
Does smoke blow back into the room when you try to light the fire? Many times this can be solved by "creating a draft," which in essence means to open slightly a window or door near the fireplace or woodstove and light a small amount of paper inside the chimney to create a warm updraft. Doing so "primes" the chimney and begins a chain reaction of constantly flowing colder air from outside being warmed in the fireplace and then sending it up the chimney, along with the smoke. This may be especially necessary in newer, tightly built homes, where the only draft is down the chimney.
Once the flame has taken hold, avoid placing your face up to it and blowing on it. You'll end up with a face full of ash; besides, your breath is mostly carbon dioxide, which tends to smother a fire rather than feed it. Instead, use a bellows to blow oxygen-rich air into the fire. Also, using a high-quality fireplace grate and decorative andirons will help keep the wood off the fireplace floor and increase oxygen flow.
Safety First!
Speaking of oxygen, remember that fire needs oxygen to burn. People also need it to breathe! If your house is too tightly built, a roaring fire can quickly deplete the oxygen supply, and possibly result in dangerous carbon monoxide buildup, one of the leading causes of poisoning in America. For your peace of mind, install a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a fireplace; it will be worth every penny.
If there are babies who can crawl or young children running around a room with a fireplace or woodstove, that is a recipe for disaster. Protect your kids from injury by installing a child-guard screen or hearth safety grate around the woodstove or fireplace. With these important accessories, you can still derive the benefit and enjoyment of owning a fireplace while at the same time preventing kids from suffering serious burns.
How much is shipping?
Orders over $100 ship free via UPS Ground. Orders under $100 have a flat shipping rate of $9.95. Your rate is calculated automatically at checkout. Freight deliveries are excluded.
Do you ship outside the U.S.?
We ship to Canada with an additional shipping charge. We do not ship internationally beyond the U.S. and Canada.
What's your return policy?
Items returned within 30 days of purchase receive a full refund. Items returned 30–60 days after purchase are accepted, but the customer covers return shipping. Products from manufacturers cannot be returned after 60 days. Most other items can be returned after 30 days with a 20% restocking fee. Special order items may carry a restocking fee. Custom made and freight items cannot be returned. Damaged or unsatisfactory items are replaced at no additional cost. See our full [Return & Refund Policy] for details.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover online. We also accept checks and money orders by phone call 1-518-361-3972 to place a phone order.
Do you charge sales tax?
Yes, a 7.25% sales tax applies to orders shipped within New York State only. No sales tax applies to orders shipped elsewhere.
What you need to do it safely
Everything mentioned above, in one place.