Any tips for a roaring open fire?

[EdieMcredie]

We had our chimney swept yesterday but so far our attempts have only produced a lame fire. We have been using paper, kindling, coal and logs, in that order. How do you get really nice big flames?

My DH is the master at lighting fires... and it is really simple - even i can do it!

Basically get some kindling on the bottom and put 2 bits either end, put your firelighter in the middle and then put another bit of kindling on top. (In short terms make a little house for the kindling, but with lots of space around it)
Then put coal on and around the little house and light it. When the coal begins to burn then put a decent log on top...
(Me thinks you've got enough advice on here to start several fires at once!)

oo I think firelighters are a bit cheating! I never use them, just paper and kindling. DP and I have a running competition to see how little kindling we can get away with, the minimum is about 4 or 5 sticks if strategically positioned.

Great (or grate!!!!!) advice guys. Ho ho ho

We don't use coal, i find its easier to get a roaring blaze with just wood.
Check the size of your logs is right for the fire, we get them from a farm and they come far to big for our grate so we chop them smaller. start with small thin pieces on top of kindling then once they've created a nice glowing bottom layer go for the bigger ones.

My topt ip is old candle wax! you know when a tealight/scented candle burns and leaves gollops of wax, drop that on top of the logs. Also make sure the logs are VERY dry. Don't use too much paper cos it can clog the grate.

Despite lal that DH is still better at it than me - there is a knack to it!

And Babybel and Edam wax!

Message withdrawn

I love our coal fire - the one part of the house that I'll miss when we move

Layer of coal, screwed up paper, firelighters, really dry small kindling and then a small layer of coal. Once the kindling has really caught, then add more coal.

Enjoy!

Well last night I managed to get our fire roaring without any kindling or firelighters... ?

DH had bought some kindling but forgot to bring it into the house and then went to work with it still in the car. I didn't know we didn't have any so didn't do anything about it until it had gone dark so was a bit stuck.

I desperation I decided to take my neighbours plastic milk bottle tip to a new dimension. I used newspaper with 2 4 pint bottles and just piled the coal on top. I really did not expect it to light but when I went back in 10 minutes later it was going well. I know its bad for the environment (and probably the neighbours) to burn plastic but its good to have something you can fall back on when you've forgotten or run out as we always have stacks of milk bottles in the recycling.

Katherine that's impressive! I though the fumes of burning plastic was really bad for you?

Pruni PMSL!!!!

Instant log in a bag here too most days as i can't be faffed with all the mess etc every day You can chuck a log on top if you want them to last longer and sainsburys do a big log that last about 3 hrs and even crackles!Asda sell a cheap one but sainsburys are buy one get one free atm so stock up!