Real fire

[bloodyhowler]

What is the best fuel and cleanest!for a real fire?We have been using ours quite a bit and i hate the mess but the fire is lovely I have been using those instant firelogs when i don't want the hassle but they are quite expensive i haven't tried coal only logs Which is the least messy and easiest to light?Thanks xxx

Logs but proper seasoned ones

we use paper, coals ontop, then logs ontop.

hi all

i have exactly the same question as OP. which is the best, cleanest and cheapest fuel? or are those criteria contradictory?

TIA

Depends where you live - are you in a smokeless zone? (Most cities are these days). If so, you can only use smokeless coal, which is a pain in the bum to light, and doesn't give those lovely leaping flames. If you can use house coal, a combination of that and well-seasoned logs as already suggested will work well, but do buy a spark-guard.

thanks for your message

yes am in london, so smokeless, although i did use logs last spring

i used rubbish softwood logs from argos... so while they were attractive they didn't last long.

pls tell me the smokeless fuel at least glows?

yes, have sparkguard

wood is by far the warmest and the longest lasting

we use briquettes and turf alot though as they're far more common around here (especially when my parents give us bags of their turf for free )

turf is nice smelling and warm but the briquettes burn too quick and aren't very warm.

coal is very warm but very messy... can't have it in the house with my toddlers and their compulsive need to touch everything they see.

i start the fires with paper cardboard and lollipop sticks dug out of the recycling... occasionally use a firelighter but don't need to usually. you can buy little bundles of wood kindling round here too which are handy.

When we had an open fire, we used reconstituted logs that contained wood, enough starter fuel, encapsulated in a paper wrapping.

They were easy to light (just light the wrapping), gave out loads of heat and looked pretty, and importantly, no ash.

I think they were called Duralogs.

hi

thanks for these further responses.

pinktulips you must be in ireland! i always used to be so excited by the whole turf fire thing on childhood holidays!

Yes, Kate, smokeless fuel does glow very prettily, and it gives off a decent heat too. My favourite way to start a fire (I've had at least one open fire in every house I've lived in since 1987) is with newspaper and kindling, but I don't think you'll be allowed that, so firelighters will do.

time to clean out and light my own

You see this was just one more reason I was right to move out of London (I'm having a bit of a "why did I come to the country week" not just being smug). I've actually just had to move out of the sitting room because sitting in front of the log fire was too hot, especially with the dogs squiggling up alongside me to get their share of warmth.

driftwood dried out in an old coal shed.

my neighbour makes his this way and they are awesome.

no restrictions on fires out here, though.

hello everyone

thanks very much for your help.

i have decided to go for a mix of smokeless and hardwood logs - leaning more to the smokeless of course

it looks like we don't have local supplier (inner london) so have decided to go with the aptly named coals2u

thanks to all

ah the rural and coastal idylls as reported respectively by prufrock and expat!

I light the fire with one firelighter then a handful of kindling, few bits of coal then hardwood logs.

Our logs are delivered in half a pick up load, costs £65.

I'd imagine those fake log things wrapped in plastic would cost a bomb if you're using them every night.