Temperatures plummet and so does your pile of firewood… To keep warming up this winter and enjoying the magic of a glowing log fire, learning how to manage your wood consumption is essential. To do this, discover these valuable tips to make your fireplace last as long as possible.
Use the reverse ignition technique
Coming from the Scandinavian countries, this fire lighting technique is renowned for making the fireplace last longer. Indeed, by lighting the fire from above, the combustion takes place more gradually, as is the case for a candle. As a result, the logs burn less quickly. Finally, a little more significant, this method is also much less polluting.
Here is a video tutorial produced by France 3 to discover how to use the reverse ignition technique:
Choosing the right tree species
Not all types of wood have the same properties. This is mainly due to their density. Thus, so-called “soft” woods such as pine, fir or spruce are easy to light but they burn out very quickly. They are therefore perfect for starting a good fire. However, to maintain your home, you will prefer so-called “hard” species such as oak, beech or maple. More capricious at the start, they will be formidable allies to rekindle a waning fire and make it last for a long time.
Store your wood in a dry and ventilated place
To start and maintain a good fire, the logs must be very dry. To burn properly, their humidity level should not exceed 20%. This allows a better start, complete combustion and limits the spread of white smoke.
So wood storage is key. It is recommended to store it outside in order to promote good ventilation while making sure to shelter it from bad weather. The logs should not be placed on the ground to prevent them from rotting. Once dry, the wood can be stored indoors.
Choose densified wood
Densified wood is a good alternative for obtaining very dry logs. This fuel formed from compressed sawdust releases heat for longer than a conventional log. Another advantage is that densified wood burns completely, thus generating less waste and offering better performance.
Make the fire last all night
You want to make your fire last all night so that the heat spreads for a long time in the room and that the hearth starts again in a few seconds the next morning ? To do this, it's simple: once your fireplace or stove has a good fire, cover the logs with ashes. Thus, the latter will burn less quickly and the embers will still be present in the early morning!
Once you have loaded your stove or fireplace with conventional firewood or densified wood, and it is burning well, all you need to do is cover your logs with ashes.
A fire on screen
Good news for those who do not have a fireplace or who have already liquidated all their supply of firewood: the fireplace on screen may not be heating up the room but it warms hearts! The proof, the Netflix streaming platform has made it one of its flagship holiday programs. And on Youtube, this 10-hour video has over 52 million views!
Probably the easiest way to enjoy a beautiful fireplace without moving from your sofa!
Did you like this article? Discover 5 natural and eco-friendly firelighters for your fireplace, your wood stove or your barbecue.
