Fireplace Lighting and Usage Instructions
Before lighting the fireplace, empty the firebox of ash. There is a metal ash bucket in the cottage for this purpose. Be cautious with hot ash, as it can smolder unnoticed for up to a week. In Finland, numerous fires have started due to improper handling of ash.
A firebox full of ash can hinder the combustion process, especially during ignition.
Please avoid putting cigarette butts in the ash bucket.
Any Finnish wood is suitable for the fireplace. During damp weather, if possible, bring a basket of firewood inside to dry. It’s essential that the wood is dry and light. Never burn wood that is nailed, pressure-treated, or treated in any way, nor wood that is glued. The particles and chemicals released by these types of wood are harmful to both the environment and health, and they may damage the fireplace and chimney. If there’s any doubt about the wood's cleanliness, it’s best to avoid burning it.
Fire always needs plenty of oxygen to burn properly. Fireplaces draw combustion air differently depending on their type and age. Usually, there is a lever or damper in the fireplace to regulate airflow. Sometimes, combustion air is drawn through a separate channel. During lighting, open the air intakes fully and then adjust them to medium once the fire is established. This ensures ample air during lighting, so the wood doesn’t burn too quickly. Opening a nearby window or door slightly during lighting helps provide more oxygen to the room, making it easier to light the fire.
For optimal energy efficiency and environmental friendliness, light the fire from the top. This way, gases released from the wood burn immediately, creating minimal smoke. Lighting from the top also allows the fire to build with minimal energy. When wood is lit from the bottom, gases and particles from the warming wood pass unburned into the chimney and then into the air. Stack the wood, with larger pieces on the bottom and smaller ones on top. Place a few small wood pieces, birch bark, or newspaper as kindling on top. This method allows for clean and efficient ignition.
Stack the wood with enough space between them to allow air to circulate effectively. After arranging the wood, there should be approximately one-third empty space between the top kindling and the firebox ceiling. If the firebox is packed too tightly, the air cannot circulate properly, leading to incomplete combustion. Smaller wood pieces are recommended for lighting, as they naturally require less energy to heat up. After the first batch, you can add larger logs.
Burning any waste materials generates a significant amount of harmful particles for the environment and health. A common mistake is to dispose of items such as milk cartons or cardboard by burning them, or to use old egg cartons as kindling. However, waste should always go to recycling, even at the cottage. Long-term waste burning causes soot buildup in both the firebox and chimney, degrading their condition and increasing the need for chimney sweeping.
Avoid burning too many batches of wood. Modern fireplaces are efficient and require only one or two batches of wood. You may stoke the fire occasionally to help it burn evenly. When the wood is fully burned and all flames have died, you can close the air intakes. Make sure nothing is still burning. For safe damper closure, push the damper shut, then open it slightly and close it fully only after the embers are completely out. This avoids carbon monoxide buildup.
