What should I use to make a good fire?

[tell-me-more]

I've just moved into a house with open fireplaces and I'm looking for advice about what to use in them? They have bits of coal in them, but I presume it's OK to use wood instead. But what kind of wood is best to use? I also have lots of cardboard to dispose of and free newspapers etc. The chimneys were recently swept.

[jake-the-peg]

Glad to hear the chimneys were swept, if you're using the fire regularly you'll want to do this at least once a year, especially if you're burning wood which leaves higher tar deposits.

Obviously I'm assuming you're not in a smokeless zone where I think you'd be restricted to only burning smokeless coal. On a grate you should be able to burn wood or coal. Keep a few newspapers about for starting the fire but don't put too much paper or card on the fire or it'll damp it down and the bits will fly up the chimney.

Much of the bags of logs that you buy at garages have a nasty habit of being fairly fresh conifer logs. They are nasty nasty nasty and tend to spit because of the moisture and resin content. If you want to burn wood try and find a supplier that'll deliver you a load of seasoned hardwood logs about �40 for a cubic meter around my way but that'll vary depending on where you live. Wood really needs to be kept for at least a year to dry out before you burn it but the occasional fresh piece won't be a problem.

In terms of what species of hardwood makes the best fire you're in the realms of highly charged personal opinion - people even write poetry about it  (see here http://www.the-tree.org.uk/TreeCultivation&Uses/Firewood/firewood.htm)

One last point to watch for is the state of the flue. The lining of older chimneys (the parging) can start to come loose and fall down the chimney. If you start to notice this investigate because sparks and embers flying up the chimney could get into the loft and start a fire especially if you get P*!&&*! rooks picking away at it and trying to build nests down your chimney.    

Enjoy (the fire not the rooks)

[Hamish]

We use coal and logs. The coal it put in the bottom and sticks used to get it going then logs are added through the day, this keeps the fire going all day with the need to only add a few more bits of coal usually at about 7pm (lighting at 8am). This will ofrcouse depend on the type of fire air flow etc.

[moomoojaj]

I appreciate the WONDERFUL effect of an open fire and have grown up with the labourious work involved with the setting up and cleaning on the fire. Having owned my own home for twenty years or so and being content with central heating I would suggest that you dump the open fire and install central heating and enjoy the extra free time available.

[leahdunrossil]

Anything from gas to wood can be used in a fireplace but we use wood in ours. Also if you need modernized and more efficient fireplaces, you can visit http://au.enrollbusiness.com/BusinessProfile/82675 to choose the best one for your home.