How to start a fire.
- Michelle Persolja
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
How to Start a Fire (the Right Way)
There’s nothing better than the warmth and crackle of a good fire — whether it’s in your fireplace, wood stove, or backyard firepit. But if you’ve ever struggled to get your fire started or found it smoldering instead of roaring, you’re not alone.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to starting a fire the right way — and a few tips to make sure your firewood burns hot, clean, and steady.
1. Start with Dry, Seasoned Firewood
A great fire always starts with dry wood. Firewood with too much moisture will smoke, sizzle, and refuse to catch flame.
Seasoned or Kiln Dried firewood has a low moisture content (below 20% or 10%, respectively). That means less steam, less smoke, and more heat. You can check for seasoned wood by looking for cracks on the ends or tapping two pieces together — seasoned wood makes a crisp, hollow sound.
2. Gather Tinder and Kindling
Even if you’re using a firestarter or gas starter, you still need kindling to connect the flame to your logs.
Tinder: Small, fast-burning materials like newspaper, wood shavings, or store-bought fire starters.
Kindling: Thin, dry sticks or split wood pieces that catch quickly and help the larger logs ignite.
Think of tinder as your spark and kindling as your bridge to the firewood.
3. Build Your Fire for Airflow
Air is your fire’s best friend. Without proper oxygen flow, your firewood will smolder instead of burn.
Try the log cabin method:
Place two logs parallel on the bottom.
Stack two more logs across the top, like building a square.
Put your tinder and kindling in the center, leaving space for air to move through.
This setup helps the fire breathe and build heat evenly.
4. Light It Up
Light your tinder in a few places and let the flames spread through the kindling. Resist the urge to poke or move logs too soon — give it a few minutes to establish a strong flame.
If your fire struggles to stay lit, check your setup: most issues come down to airflow.
5. Maintain Your Fire
Once your fire is burning steadily, add logs gradually. Keep some space between each log so oxygen can continue to circulate.
When you’re done, let the coals cool completely before disposing of ashes safely in a metal container.
Final Thoughts
Starting a fire is part skill and part patience — but with properly seasoned firewood, good airflow, and the right technique, anyone can build a roaring fire that burns clean and hot.
At The Firewood Co., all of our Seasoned and Kiln Dried Firewood options are perfect for indoor fireplaces, stoves, and outdoor firepits. Each piece is cut uniformly and ready to burn — so you can spend less time struggling to start your fire and more time enjoying it.
Stay warm,
Nick & Michelle Persolja
The Firewood Co.
37859 Stevens Blvd
Willoughby OH
Seasoned & Kiln Dried Firewood Always in Stock!
We serve Lake, Geauga, Cuyahoga, Lorain, Summit, Medina, Portage, Trumbull, Ashtabula and Mahoning Counties.
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