You can test the effect of this by imitating andirons with stones.īrowse here our current online stock of 400+ antique and vintage andirons or firedogsĥ | Increase the height of the fireplace grate or of the fire basketīy increasing the height of the fire grate, the fire is closer to the chimney channel, as a result of which, the chimney flue becomes warmer and the draft will improve immediately. People have been using this technique since prehistory, initially on a single andiron. It is the least drastic step with a potentially big effect. This requires attention when lighting the fire.īrowse here our current online stock of 50+ antique and vintage fireplace blow pokesĤ | Build fires on andirons and/or fireplace grate or a fire basketīy building fires on andirons with or without a fire grate or in a fire basket, air can get under the fire, which makes it burn better and continue burning. A quietly burning fire works best and is the most eco-friendly as long as no smoke is released. Heating with wet wood is also not eco-friendly because there is a relatively high amount of particulate emissions.ģ | Keep a fireplace fire going with bellows or a blow pokerĮnsure that the fire continues burning well, because that also keeps the pull in the chimney going well and reduce the fireplace smoke. Do not use fast-burning wood types (pine, willow, alder) in this phase of the fire because this leads to the output of a dangerous amount of sparks. These wood types must be dried at least two years in order to burn a well-drawing fire. After you have started the fire with fast-burning materials and wood types, feed the fire with slow-burning wood types like oak, beech, birch and wood from fruit trees. If you burn wood that is too wet, it is more difficult to get a good fire going and to maintain it. Also see the following video.Ģ | Only burn wood that has been dried for two years Then place two lighter blocks on the second-lowest layer of the kindling. Then place three layers of kindling crosswise on the logs and on top of each other. It works like this: To start, place two or three - not too large - logs on the fireplace floor or the grate, with some space between the logs. Swiss research has shown that there is a better combustion of the firewood if the fire is lit from top to bottom. Use the Swiss or reverse lighting method. The warmth will create the draft in the fireplace and keep the fire going. Here you can find a number of tips in order to reduce the fireplace smoke in a smoky fireplace, starting with the least drastic measures and ending with the most drastic measures:īy starting the fire with pieces of wood of fast-burning wood types (poplar, pine, willow, alder, etc.) and a lighter block, a warm air flow through the chimney is quickly developed. Many people experience problems with the fireplace draft of the open fireplace, even when the fireplace is newly constructed.