Smokeless fuel

[Spo]

I an trying to use my smalll victorian fireplace for the first time (having had the chimney swept!). I have to use smokeless fuel briquettes. The fire is lit but I cannot get it to burn, it is just sort of glowing in the middle. I have the chimney vent and front vents fully open, trying to get a draught through. What am I doing wrong?

[Buenchico]

This question takes me back to my childhood! Having had to get many a 'real' fire going, I'd suggest the old trick of holding a sheet of newspaper across the fireplae. This forces the draught to pass through the fire rather than over the top of it.

Chris

[SteveD]

Is the door to the room where the fireplace is open? Maybe there just isn't enough draught if your house is well insulated.

When you do get the fire going and the chimney warms up, it will draw better.

Although you have had the chimney swept, are you sure that there is no blockage?

[willowman]

We use smokeless fuel on our enclosed fire, and I'm afraid they don't burn up like the old coal used to. They do just glow red hot with the occassional flame, so it may just be the fuel. Mind you, they do get very hot- hot enough to fuse some of the ashes together into clinker if left stoked up overnight.

When the fire is glowing why not try putting a small log onto it to see if this burns up with a flame.