Winter is Coming. Ready to Add Fuel to the Fire? How To Source the Right Fuel, Build A Fire, And Keep It Going.

As the days grow darker,  thoughts turn to Netflix, new seasons of our favourite TV shows, and the opportunity to have dinner parties again. Guess what?  It all involves cosying up to the fireplace, the stove, the Hearth in your home…

It’s time to think about stocking up on fuel for your fireplace. Here’s an excellent guide for the newbies.  

How to Build a Wood Fire

A good home fire requires three main things to get going. You’ll need to use them in this order :

  1. Tinder
  2. Kindling
  3. Fuel

Before you start, ensure all air vents in the fireplace are open for optimal combustion.

How To Stack Your Fireplace Components

Place the main, larger logs on the bottom of the fireplace. Then, stack smaller pieces of the logs or fuel. Ensure the wood is cleft and dry.

Stack your firewood or logs so that there is room for air or vacant pockets of spaces between them. This lets the oxygen get in. Aim for 1 cm between the pieces of wood fuel. You want to fill the space evenly.

In the next layer, spread out kindling and firelighters if using this as Tinder.

Then all you have to do is light it up!

It doesn’t stop there – be sure to keep feeding and poking your fire when it dies, and add more kindling when it wanes. Otherwise, you’ll have to start all over again!

How To Find The Right Tinder

Tinder is what is used to start a wood-burning fire. You must locate easily combustible material like Firelighters to ignite the first flames and your kindling.

You can also use natural items, like small wood shavings or shreds of organic material that will burn hot quickly. You can also start a fire with something as simple as matches to a bit of newspaper.

Here are some starter log options on the market:

Flamers Kings Fire Starter Logs come in a Pack of 10 and can be used for starting fires first in stoves, open fires and chimneas. You’ll get a decent burntime lasting up to 90 mins. What’s More – you’ll be supporting a guaranteed-Irish product made in Westmeath! To use – simply light the wrapper and add fuel after 20 minutes!

 

How To Source Fireplace Kindling

Kindling is the second thing you need to start a fire.

Use it to keep the first flames of your fire going long enough to heat the main wood logs. Once the first flames emerge, you’ll need it to get the logs burning.

The flames won’t last long enough if you start a fire with just tinder and no kindling. They will disappear before your denser, larger logs catch flame.

Kindling is mainly made up of small dry combustible organic materials found in nature. It should have a large ratio of dry surface material to its volume so it’ll catch fire quickly.

Pieces no longer than a foot and no thicker than a thumb are what you want. Generous armloads will suffice for every fire. Examples of kindling found in nature include small pieces of bark, dried twigs, and shrubbery stems or fatwood. 

Kindling Sticks should also be ordered in reasonable quantities at the same time as your main Wood Fuel, as you’ll need these not just to start the fire itself but also to keep it going should it begin to subside or when your fire needs refueling with fresh logs.

Kiln-dried kindling is great for fast and easy combustion and is applicable to both wood and coal fires. These can be sourced as

  • Kindling sticks Crosscut: 1 – 4 cm, at a length of 13.5 cm
  • Available in Plastic bags or mesh bags
  • Find a brand that works as a renewable resource and is FSC-certified.

Ways To Fuel Your Fire

We love firewood because it is a natural resource and produces many cosy Proustian smells and sounds as it crackles.

Those blessed with access and ownership of natural woodlands on our property should no doubt be harvesting and storing wood. Make sure you dry out the wood that is, it is not “green wood” or freshly chopped wood.

But let’s face it, that’s not an option if you’re in an urban home or suburb. You can buy firewood in bulk if you can store it in a dry place.

Here’s another tip: If you have a stove or smaller fireplace, ensure the logs supplied are cut to no more than 24 cm. You’ll want the thickness of a fist or thicker.

It will also make stacking and storing them more accessible. They look much neater stacked in the living room, too.

Why We Dry Out Firewood

If you do not dry out firewood, the fire takes longer. The moisture inside will generate hissing in the fireplace and excessive smoke in your home.  Ensure your firewood is completely dried using kiln-dried firewood from a dead tree.

Firewood & Fuel Storage

Either way, the storage area must be dry. Consider using a strong and durable Coal Bunker – this storage solution for solid fuel storage such as coal,wood & briquettes. They come in various sizes and storage capacities.

How to Choose Coal Bunker

Ensure your coal bunkers are made from a weatherproof material that will not rot or rust, making it ideal for outdoor and indoor storage in a shed or garage

Here are some options to consider

  • Starting at 150 KG right up to 300kg Capacity – Kingspan Titan Coal Bunkers can store up to 3 bags of coal making it an ideal backup storage option for homeowners who occasionally use an open fire or stove or may have multiple fireplaces and stoves to refuel. The large upper lid opening is ideal for filling, and the bottom opening is easy to access. It’s manufactured from medium-density, UV-resistant polyethylene, which makes it a strong and robust coal bunker that cannot rust or rot, and is suitable for outdoor or indoor use.


 

Fireplace Fuel Options

Kiln Dried Hardwood

Kiln Dried Hardwood Logs work best as a fuel option because it has a higher energy content and produces more heat. These are perfect for home fires, stoves & wood-burning appliances with Moisture content that is 20% on average.

This dried kiln will produce a clean burning, easy to light both indoor and outdoor fires. You can source it by the Pallet if you have a good-sized shed or in 22L Mesh bags or plastic bags. Aim for a brand that works as a renewable resource and is FSC-certified.

Here are some options

  • Flamers Kiln Dried Premium Hardwood Logs come in 18L and 22L bags. The logs are comprised of alder & birch hardwood, dried to a moisture content of below 20%. These hardwoods burn cleaner, hotter & more efficiently than standard firewood as a result and are also FSC certified.

.

Wood Logs

Wood Logs are an efficient smokeless fuel choice that delivers high heat FAST! They are suitable for all Stoves, Open Fires, and Chimineas.

Here are some options

For example, the low ash content of brands such as the Irish-made Flamer’s Premium Wood Logs also makes for less cleaning and more toasty evenings by the fire. These Premium wood logs come as a completely natural product with no additives or binders making this a carbon neutral, environmentally friendly fuel. They are easy to use. Simply break each wood log into three pieces, place firelighters underneath and light!

Flamers Shimada Heat Logs are another highly efficient, high heat output solid fuel that will have your home toasty and warm in no time. This CO2 Neutral fuel type is manufactured by compressing hardwood sawdust into logs and comes in an 8 pack bundle. It also delivers a low ash content which means less cleaning.

 

Wood Briquettes

If you are looking for an environmentally friendly, value-for-money alternative to traditional fuel briquettes, there are new innovative, naturally produced products

Wood briquettes can deliver more heat with a long, clean burn, suitable for open fires, stoves, chimineas and other communal fuel-burning areas. You’ll also get a small ash content after the burn, which means less cleaning up!

Willow Warm Wood Briquettes, for example, are made from a blend of 100% Renewable and indigenous Irish Grown Willow and Biomass. It is an ideal choice if you’re looking for a genuinely Irish product that is also Carbon Neutral and exempt from Carbon Tax. It even carries the Guaranteed Irish symbol.

Wood Pellets

Eco-friendly wood pellet stoves also offer a more economical & energy-efficient means of heating your home.

  • Wood pellets are made from wood grown & there are many brands produced in Ireland.
  • Look for wood pellets tested via the Irish Equine Centre – as they may be suited for stable bedding.

Ready To Stock Up On Winter Fuel Supplies?

There’s a neat trick to make sure you never run out. Just order your stock of fuel in advance through our very own online portal.

Shopping list                                               

 

Stop by our Fuel Catalogue online to view the range of home fuel products available this winter

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Did we miss any essential tips or hacks to having a long-lasting Fire? Let’s hear it!  Share your tips and fireplace selfies on Facebook and Instagram, and tag us!

 

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