A Chain Reaction in my Fireplace?
I have never thought of the fire in my fireplace as a chain reaction, but it is.
Remember third grade science? There are three things necessary to start a fire; fuel, oxygen and a source of ignition (heat). When these combine a chain reaction occurs and fire is created.
In a fireplace, the fuel is the wood; the ignition is from either a lighted wad of newspaper or a log lighter and the oxygen comes from the surrounding air. So why doesn’t it always work? The trick is the correct balanced combination of the three necessary factors to start and keep a fire going. It takes practice and patience but there are other factors that can suppress the chain reaction that makes a fire in an indoor fireplace.
If you are sure you have all the elements for a great fire, but all you’ve got is smoke, check out Dave Laverdiere’s article “Fireplace Drafting: What Affects the Draft” at
www.bostonbrick.com
