How to Light a Fireplace

A fireplace can make your home warm and cozy, especially during winter. And while lighting it can seem like a simple task, sometimes you forget certain key steps. Because of that, 5-Minute Crafts created a step-by-step guide on how to quickly light up your fireplace.

Before starting

It’s a good idea to take some safety measures before using any fireplace:

• Remove any excess ash and soot using a metal bucket and shovel
• Let air flow through the chimney by using air control or the damper (a sort of door that divides the firebox from the chimney)
• Clean your fireplace at least once per year
• Don’t light a fire if you think your fireplace is clogged

What you’ll need:

• Logs
• Newspaper
• Matches or a lighter

Step 1

First up, gather the logs and place the largest ones on the bottom and the smallest ones on top. Doing this ensures the fire will burn evenly and for longer without needing to be re-ignited again.

Step 2

Next, the newspaper. Before putting it inside the fireplace, shred it into strips and layer them on top of the logs.

Tip: Building a pyramid shape with the kindling on top of everything as a way to catch fire can also help.

Step 3

Lastly, light the fire. Grab your matches (or lighter) and begin by lighting the newspaper first. This way, the fire can build evenly and spread to all the logs.

Note: Control the size of the flame by adjusting the air control and keep in mind that the larger the logs you use, the longer the fire will burn. Don’t leave the fire unattended for long periods of time.