Martin Morrell
There is no human urge more primal than building a fire. It was after all, the discovery of fire by by our very ancient ancestors that catapulted the evolution of the human race beyond less sophisticated mammals. Ever since, fires have been places of sustenance – of cooking and eating, as well as gathering round, telling stories, and staying warm amongst our kin.
December is a time of year where creating such warmth is particularly important. Even before the establishment of Christmas, with the Winter Solstice (officially next Wednesday), this time of year used to mark the pagan festival of light, and Jewish and Hindu communities also celebrate the holidays of Hannukah and Diwali (also closely associated with light and burning candles) around this time. With the festive holidays coming around, friends and family’s are as always coming together, and the easiest way to transform any room is by lighting a fire. And, with a cost of living crisis to contend with, this year a good old fashioned fire is really coming into its own. But whether it’s a traditional hearth, a wood-burning stove, or an outside campfire or fire pit, here’s how to make a fire that will keep on burning, and some dishes that you can cook upon it.
At a glance
How to build a fire for a fireplace
- For your classic built-in fireplace, the first step is to make sure you have a flow of air (ensuring the fireplace air vents are open) and that your materials are dry (you can dry out logs and kindling in advance by putting them in an electric oven, an airing cupboard, or a warm dry place. Your logs also need to be dry in the sense that it isn’t new wood – neither green or freshly cut (this will contain too much moisture and not light as easily).
- Kindling is where it all begins – these are small branches, dry twigs or broken up pieces of wood (you can, of course buy them pre-cut). Dried orange peel and pine cones also work well as kindling.
- Your fireplace should have a grate on which to place these. There is no hard and fast rule about how to arrange them, but it is usual to create a wigwam or jenga-like construction with them if you are using pre-cut kindling or twigs.
- On top of the kindling add a couple of your dry logs, also zigzagged or jenga-style – this is to make sure there is air around the fuel so the fire can get started. Also make sure it is structurally sound, and that the logs won’t roll away!
- Then grab some newspaper (also dry). Rip up strips (also allowing maximum air) and stuff these underneath the fire grate.
- You can also start with just the kindling and newspaper, and add the logs once the fire gets going.
- Light this with a match – and watch your fire get started!
- During the fire’s lifetime, keep stoking it (this is to add air and make sure the flame stays lively).
- Add new logs when the fire starts to die down and is no longer blazing. Move the new log around (again allowing air into it, and allowing it to catch the flame).
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