This is really helpful. I'm a Floridian who has never had an inside fireplace. I just moved to a house with one and I'm excited to light one this winter. Your tips have been very valuable to me.
I was born and raised in Las Vegas and so we never did indoor fireplaces and if you did see them, they were gas. I just moved to Fort Collins, CO and this video was super helpful with these cold months, thank you!
LOL the crab leg. That was hilarious. I thought he was gonna put it down on the fire to cook it but nah. He's just enjoying a nice holiday crab leg mid-video. What a grand gentleman. 😅
I just moved to Amarillo, TX from Phoenix, AZ and we have a fireplace in our house and I'm trying to figure out how to start a fire. This video is very helpful. Keep them coming. Thanks!!!
it is 2023 and ive found your video after many attempts on lighting up my fireplace without smoke. doing multiple small burns to get the fireplace "warmed" up to prevent smoke coming in...was the best suggestion yet. I know it 2yrs later, hope you are still enjoying that king crab
Glad you found it useful! Yeah.. reach way in there so the smoke has no where else to go but up and out. Works like a charm. Before doing this I would always get the house full of smoke and made me not want to use the fireplace.
Beware of nesting birds they leave the nests behind and can catch fire and drop to the fire box below or worse catch the build up in the chimney on fire
Interesting. We buy firewood from a local seller or store, then buy the duraflame long as the firestarter. We'll slice pieces of the duraflame log and toss it on top or under the wood to start the firewood, then we just keep using firewood to keep it going. I haven't done the math, but I'm sure it'll be cheaper to do that than burning an entire duraflame log. It probably depends on how often you use your fireplace though. 😟
Here's the maths (rough): $3 for a log. Each log = 2.7kg Heat output = 2.7 x 4 = 10.8kWh of heating at 100% efficiency Stove inefficiency factor (old one like that you're lucky to get 60%, an open fireplace is only 25%!) - we'll say 75% efficient on a modern stove = 10.8kWh x 0.75 = 8.1kWh of heat. So at MOST you'd get around 8.1kWh of heating from that log (enough to heat an average living room for a few hours depending on many factors). Doing that 30x/month = very expensive to heat just one room for 2-3 hours! Bottom line: 1kWh of heat costs AT LEAST $0.37 with these logs (using a modern highly efficient stove). To contrast - natural gas = around $0.06 per kWh of heating....so these logs would cost 6 times as much as heating with gas lol. (these figures translated from UK sums etc so probably slightly off, especially the exact gas prices)
In Girl Scouts we saved cardboard egg cartons and dryer lint or cotton balls then we melted bits from old candles in the egg cartons cups. Cut them into individual cups when the wax got hard we stored them in a plastic bag. When we wanted to start a fire we would light the cardboard and put some twigs over it. Easy peasy. Pine cones work well too
When you handle fire or any open flames wear cotton clothing. Cotton will incinerate instantly but synthetic materials will burn quickly and cannot be extinguished.
How about using / opening the vent located on the left of the fireplace (in my fireplace). Slide it upwards to open it, pull the handle down to close the vent (next day).
Thanks. So this allows air in from outside and less likely to cause smoke in the house? I just had a cabin built and had a little smoke come in before I noticed the handle on the left . I guess that should be open especially when starting the fire. You were the only one who mentioned that handle. Thanks.
@@josephfriday2661 Also don't use the exhaust fan in the kitchen. Using it will draw air / smoke from the fireplace. The chimney actually has two pipes going upward to the roofline. One pipe, the outer jacket, is for the air to be supplied to the fire and the other, the inner jacket is to exhaust the smoke. I usually get a paper shopping bag or a paper plate and roll it up tight. Light it and use it to warm the chimney directly under the flue. this way the cold air does not push down the warm air when starting the fire. I always burn oak. I researched the Boy Scouts and found good supply for a good price. You have to tell them what you want and ensure you get 20% of it as kindling to start the fire. I also ordered Fat Wood from LL Bean and this is the best to get the fire going. I never use more than 4 to start the fire.
For starting the kindling I use Fat Wood. I order it from LL Bean. I only use 6 pieces and no more. Very much worthwhile. I would never use Duraflame logs, pure poison.
Like this random short videos. Duraflame is convenient when you have guests. But for regular fireplace I just use sticks and logs from my backyard. Neighbors also trim their trees once in a year and leave branches on the curb then I grab the nicer size logs and dry them over summer. That costs $0. Nice tools by the way I have only metal stick and old stainless steel tongs from the kitchen, and a fire extinguisher nearby, just in case.
I think it's important to note - don't use too much junk mail paper (glossy) in the fireplace or too frequently, and definitely no plastics; the coating is toxic for the atmosphere. Doesn't sound like much, but when you have a whole neighbourhood (like mine) doing this kind of thing the air quality notably goes down causing lots of health issues - including cancer! Even though it's going up the chimney (and fumigating the neighbors lol) you will notice it inside too. Immediately apparent in some is asthma, headaches, dizziness, tiredness etc.
I use a different brand but they work great for me. I use them in my hot tent stove to get it going when it’s wet out, great for drying out wood to get the cycle going.
I have never had chimney in my life bc I live in wam weather all year around. but now, I got in different states and having a chimney. I had no idea what to do. thank you for this infos
Awesome video. Maybe the 4 hours time varies on chimney size? A smaller chimney might have less airflow reulting in a slower burn or a larger one might have a faster burn. I am very interested in wood burning and wood as a heat source for winter. It is very cost efficient in my opinion since i notice free wood a lot.
Thanks for clear and simple video. Where are you located? Where I live there are so many regulations to owning a wood burning appliance that few people use them. Thanks.
NEVER put cooled ashes in a paper bag as they could still be smouldering without you knowing. ALWAYS put ashes in a metal pail and douse them in water before disposing of them, after you're sure they are extinguished. You can line the bottom of the pail with sand, and also douse with sand by stirring it into the ashes. NEVER put the pail of ashes on a wooden deck or in an enclosed space, like a shed. Keep it away from flammable materials and chemicals, and away from your house.
@@BeatTheBush I hear lot of different opinions on duraflame and the other brands of artificial wood. Is it safe for humans and safe for the chimney not to create the chemical that set chemineys on fire? I'm new to this. In fact this is my first cheminey 🙂
Thanks for the video. Yeah that were the "Up to 4 hours" part comes in hahaha I had one of those that I took with my rv to use in rv park camp fire but they were all prohibited for some reason. Now I bought a house in CO and came from Florida so researching about the chimney. I lighted it up several times now but I wanted to double check if I was doing it right
My chimney cleaner told me to never use those logs in your fireplace or wood burning stove because they leave a very bad residue on the lining of your chimney that could cause a fire over time. I have a fireplace in my bedroom and wood stove in my den and I like to start my fires the top down way. Big logs on the bottom, smaller pieces on top of that than kindling on the top. This is a much cleaner burn for the fireplace and it heat the chimney quickly.
wood stove is the way to go, very efficient , I am burning 1 dura flame in mine tonight, only because it's been sitting in my yard for years and decided to get rid of it with my real wood, otherwise I only burn real wood and have never had to pay for it.
Great technique to pull out the crab leg lmao. I’m from miami and just moved to Colorado and my apartment has a fireplace. I am scared to try this because I do not want to burn the place down. But I am going to do it. Can you leave the fireplace open the whole time ? You do not have to close it right ? And how long do you burn the paper up the chimney for ? So you can keep smoke from coming back in.
all great questions - I have had the same. So far, what I read somewhere is to always leave the glass part open when burning, but keep the metal curtain (or whatever it is called) closed. I would also keep an extinguisher close by just in case. I have yet to try my fireplace, but I plan on it SOON.
I have gas burning fire places in my house. The builders of the house did not tighten the gas line tight enough for the fireplace upstairs. I lived with leaking gas for a couple of months before I caught it. I've turned the gas off to both of them since...
Hello how r you? I use to burn Duraflame logs in my fireplace and enjoyed all the pretty colors but when I looked outside and saw all the smoke in the sky it bothered me that all that smoke came from my fireplace so now I burn scented candles instead.Thanks for all your videos Francis!
You should learn how to shave wood. Do it with a saw if you must. A log needs to be heated for 15 minutes to catch fire, so you can just put little fire starter instead of duraflame. Pinecone makes a nice firestarter, albeit a bit waxy.
Hey! Video Idea: Could you give your thoughts on couponing? I’ve always wondered if it was worth it. I’ve done it before and enjoyed the math. I would be really interested in seeing your though perspective. Like is it worth it to go around stores, buy coupons, rebate apps. If you haven’t done it before I think you might find it fun for a bit.
Cozy 🔥 A few weeks ago I uploaded a video lighting a Duraflame. It burned for about 3.5 hours. Try some real logs next time, Francis! Birch, maple and oak are good choices. Merry Christmas 🎄
When I was a kid, I remember my dad telling us not to use those duraflame logs in the fireplace because they leave a waxy residue inside the chimney flue. I wonder if that was even really true. Then again, it was the 80’s so probably LoL 😆
This is really helpful. I'm a Floridian who has never had an inside fireplace. I just moved to a house with one and I'm excited to light one this winter. Your tips have been very valuable to me.
Glad it was helpful!
You dont need a duraflame lol. For warmth you want real wood. But they're convenient for aesthetic
i’m literally in this same situation 😭 ft. lauderdale to dallas
@@joannaschwarck4571 about to move into my first house with a inside fireplace. Any tips if you've used yours yet??
I was born and raised in Las Vegas and so we never did indoor fireplaces and if you did see them, they were gas. I just moved to Fort Collins, CO and this video was super helpful with these cold months, thank you!
LOL the crab leg. That was hilarious. I thought he was gonna put it down on the fire to cook it but nah. He's just enjoying a nice holiday crab leg mid-video. What a grand gentleman. 😅
I just moved to Amarillo, TX from Phoenix, AZ and we have a fireplace in our house and I'm trying to figure out how to start a fire. This video is very helpful. Keep them coming. Thanks!!!
it is 2023 and ive found your video after many attempts on lighting up my fireplace without smoke. doing multiple small burns to get the fireplace "warmed" up to prevent smoke coming in...was the best suggestion yet. I know it 2yrs later, hope you are still enjoying that king crab
Glad you found it useful! Yeah.. reach way in there so the smoke has no where else to go but up and out. Works like a charm. Before doing this I would always get the house full of smoke and made me not want to use the fireplace.
PSA: Buy a fire extinguisher and have your fireplace chimney professionally cleaned.
Beware of nesting birds they leave the nests behind and can catch fire and drop to the fire box below or worse catch the build up in the chimney on fire
big fan of your random vids man! watching it everyday
Buying a home with a wood fireplace, your video was very helpful! Having a company come out and do an inspection and cleaning first.
Interesting. We buy firewood from a local seller or store, then buy the duraflame long as the firestarter. We'll slice pieces of the duraflame log and toss it on top or under the wood to start the firewood, then we just keep using firewood to keep it going.
I haven't done the math, but I'm sure it'll be cheaper to do that than burning an entire duraflame log. It probably depends on how often you use your fireplace though. 😟
Genius!!!
Here's the maths (rough):
$3 for a log.
Each log = 2.7kg
Heat output = 2.7 x 4 = 10.8kWh of heating at 100% efficiency
Stove inefficiency factor (old one like that you're lucky to get 60%, an open fireplace is only 25%!) - we'll say 75% efficient on a modern stove
= 10.8kWh x 0.75 = 8.1kWh of heat.
So at MOST you'd get around 8.1kWh of heating from that log (enough to heat an average living room for a few hours depending on many factors).
Doing that 30x/month = very expensive to heat just one room for 2-3 hours!
Bottom line:
1kWh of heat costs AT LEAST $0.37 with these logs (using a modern highly efficient stove).
To contrast - natural gas = around $0.06 per kWh of heating....so these logs would cost 6 times as much as heating with gas lol.
(these figures translated from UK sums etc so probably slightly off, especially the exact gas prices)
I think it's much cheaper and less of a hassle to just use solid fuel tablets lol.
@@paulstone7655 dang homie fr did all this only got 6 likes since no one else will ima congratulate you
In Girl Scouts we saved cardboard egg cartons and dryer lint or cotton balls then we melted bits from old candles in the egg cartons cups. Cut them into individual cups when the wax got hard we stored them in a plastic bag. When we wanted to start a fire we would light the cardboard and put some twigs over it. Easy peasy. Pine cones work well too
Are you supposed to close the screen and glass screen or not ?
When you handle fire or any open flames wear cotton clothing. Cotton will incinerate instantly but synthetic materials will burn quickly and cannot be extinguished.
Very good video. It’s my first time using a fireplace and his explanation is easy and understandable.
This was really cool. Thank you for explaining the ins and outs of the fireplace.
You're welcome!
This was so helpful. Have a fireplace like this and had no idea how to use it
0
This is a great video. Please help. I have a question: how to know when to close the latch and close the doors?
Wait overnight. It needs to be completely cold before closing or it still generates fumes.
How about using / opening the vent located on the left of the fireplace (in my fireplace). Slide it upwards to open it, pull the handle down to close the vent (next day).
Thanks. So this allows air in from outside and less likely to cause smoke in the house? I just had a cabin built and had a little smoke come in before I noticed the handle on the left . I guess that should be open especially when starting the fire. You were the only one who mentioned that handle. Thanks.
@@josephfriday2661 Also don't use the exhaust fan in the kitchen. Using it will draw air / smoke from the fireplace.
The chimney actually has two pipes going upward to the roofline. One pipe, the outer jacket, is for the air to be supplied to the fire and the other, the inner jacket is to exhaust the smoke. I usually get a paper shopping bag or a paper plate and roll it up tight. Light it and use it to warm the chimney directly under the flue. this way the cold air does not push down the warm air when starting the fire. I always burn oak. I researched the Boy Scouts and found good supply for a good price. You have to tell them what you want and ensure you get 20% of it as kindling to start the fire. I also ordered Fat Wood from LL Bean and this is the best to get the fire going. I never use more than 4 to start the fire.
@@hitchinrod Thanks for the info, I really appreciate it.
@@hitchinrod thanks for the great advice, it’s appreciated.
For starting the kindling I use Fat Wood. I order it from LL Bean. I only use 6 pieces and no more. Very much worthwhile. I would never use Duraflame logs, pure poison.
Like this random short videos. Duraflame is convenient when you have guests. But for regular fireplace I just use sticks and logs from my backyard. Neighbors also trim their trees once in a year and leave branches on the curb then I grab the nicer size logs and dry them over summer. That costs $0. Nice tools by the way I have only metal stick and old stainless steel tongs from the kitchen, and a fire extinguisher nearby, just in case.
Regular wood is cheaper too.
The fire poker can also be used to open/close/adjust the flue opening.
Great idea! Keeps the hands clean.
I think it's important to note - don't use too much junk mail paper (glossy) in the fireplace or too frequently, and definitely no plastics; the coating is toxic for the atmosphere. Doesn't sound like much, but when you have a whole neighbourhood (like mine) doing this kind of thing the air quality notably goes down causing lots of health issues - including cancer! Even though it's going up the chimney (and fumigating the neighbors lol) you will notice it inside too. Immediately apparent in some is asthma, headaches, dizziness, tiredness etc.
Fireplaces are so handy during this time of the year. Thanks for sharing!
It's nice to but it does cost more to burn duraflames than using a central heater.
Thanks. Always wondered how well one of those logs worked.
I use a different brand but they work great for me. I use them in my hot tent stove to get it going when it’s wet out, great for drying out wood to get the cycle going.
I have never had chimney in my life bc I live in wam weather all year around. but now, I got in different states and having a chimney. I had no idea what to do. thank you for this infos
Thank you for this video. My HVAC has some electrical issue and this will tie me over til I can save up to fix my HVAC.
I don't even have a fireplace... I still watched haha
Hi, do I need to close the black screen when I burn Duraflame log? Thanks
So satisfying
I’m a beginner very informative thanks for the great presentation!!!
Awesome video. Maybe the 4 hours time varies on chimney size? A smaller chimney might have less airflow reulting in a slower burn or a larger one might have a faster burn. I am very interested in wood burning and wood as a heat source for winter. It is very cost efficient in my opinion since i notice free wood a lot.
I love a wood 🪵 fire! The compressed logs are easy
This fireplace look exactly like mine. I never use my fireplace in the 2 years that I lived here I can't wait to use it this winter
Loving these simple videos :)
Great video.... I'm learning.
Wish I saw your video last year, almost took out an Airbnb house when i tried to light up the fireplace for the first time
Is fire required or that’s optional ?
FIRE.... retire early or... fire as in wood fire?
I'm about to move into a place with a WBF. I can't wait. Thanks!!! And yes. King Crabs.
Do you ever use the gas log starter pipe ?.
I miss having a wood burning fireplace. Really handy when the power goes out too. Thumbs up for the crab leg feast.
It lasted 3 hours but I'm happy 😂
Thanks for clear and simple video. Where are you located? Where I live there are so many regulations to owning a wood burning appliance that few people use them. Thanks.
Thank you for this video!
Lol the king crab leg for special christmas dinner was great
Interesting! I'm just about to buy a house that has a fireplace, and I have no idea how to use it. Any info is good info.
Do you guys know if it’s possible for water to come down the chimney?
Merry Christmas man.
I did not know about how to use a fireplace so I had to watch your video
NEVER put cooled ashes in a paper bag as they could still be smouldering without you knowing. ALWAYS put ashes in a metal pail and douse them in water before disposing of them, after you're sure they are extinguished. You can line the bottom of the pail with sand, and also douse with sand by stirring it into the ashes. NEVER put the pail of ashes on a wooden deck or in an enclosed space, like a shed. Keep it away from flammable materials and chemicals, and away from your house.
Good point, it's possible.
What a good video, the crab leg was a good touch
Is December 2023 and your video really helped me out..... Thanks a lot!
Glad it helped!
@@BeatTheBush
I hear lot of different opinions on duraflame and the other brands of artificial wood.
Is it safe for humans and safe for the chimney not to create the chemical that set chemineys on fire?
I'm new to this. In fact this is my first cheminey 🙂
My chimney has a fan. I assume it’s to suck the air out from the chimney? When would I use it?
Don’t you need to close the wire screen? Also, did you say you need to open the flap to the chimney? I m new to using conventional chimney 😊
Wire screen is to prevent things from falling in or wood that pops throwing ambers out.
Bur duraflames do not pop so I opted to leave it open.
@@BeatTheBush thank you 🙏
Cuddling in front of the fire with Francis 👍❤
Certified p.i.m.p. He is
Haha how often do you use the 🔥 place at home?
I came here for the instruction, and sir, you are my hero for the big ass crab leg. (I know what we're doing to Christmas this year, haha!)
=D =D Steam them only enough to get it hot. It might have been only a few minutes. Don't over cook them.
"The grabber thing and the poker thing" Idk why that made me laugh so hard 🤣
Christmas crab leg yummmmm!
I’m curious does this give off any odd smells?
Not really. Some smoke from burning is expected.
Thanks for this info. I have never used a fireplace
Great video and informative, thanks!
Very helpful video
Do u only use one log 🪵 at a time
What is the metal T-shaped lever to the left or right of Chimmey used for
Great video.
Thanks!
Thanks for the video. Yeah that were the "Up to 4 hours" part comes in hahaha I had one of those that I took with my rv to use in rv park camp fire but they were all prohibited for some reason. Now I bought a house in CO and came from Florida so researching about the chimney. I lighted it up several times now but I wanted to double check if I was doing it right
That random crab leg was funny. Nice tutorial!
Thanks 😆
Thank you I just bought my first house with a chimney.
Thank you
lol. 😂thank you very informative and funny after many beers 🎉❤🎉🎉
Thanks for your demo I really appreciate it.
Thank you🙏
My chimney cleaner told me to never use those logs in your fireplace or wood burning stove because they leave a very bad residue on the lining of your chimney that could cause a fire over time. I have a fireplace in my bedroom and wood stove in my den and I like to start my fires the top down way. Big logs on the bottom, smaller pieces on top of that than kindling on the top. This is a much cleaner burn for the fireplace and it heat the chimney quickly.
Probably need to phase out log heating as it burns a bit dirty.
wood stove is the way to go, very efficient , I am burning 1 dura flame in mine tonight, only because it's been sitting in my yard for years and decided to get rid of it with my real wood, otherwise I only burn real wood and have never had to pay for it.
Very good ! Thank
When was your house built? This looks like my fireplace. Does it have a metal insert?
That’s it. Thanks for making!
Great technique to pull out the crab leg lmao. I’m from miami and just moved to Colorado and my apartment has a fireplace. I am scared to try this because I do not want to burn the place down. But I am going to do it. Can you leave the fireplace open the whole time ? You do not have to close it right ? And how long do you burn the paper up the chimney for ? So you can keep smoke from coming back in.
all great questions - I have had the same. So far, what I read somewhere is to always leave the glass part open when burning, but keep the metal curtain (or whatever it is called) closed. I would also keep an extinguisher close by just in case. I have yet to try my fireplace, but I plan on it SOON.
How many at of those log can I use at a time?
1 at at time.
Me watching the fireplace being prepared: 😐
*whips out crab leg* 🦀 💪🏻
Me: 😐>😳>😂>🤣
=D =D I don't eat crab leg all the time. That was the first and its so good I am looking to having it this year again.
chimneys should have a smart exhaust that maintains a pressure difference no matter what
Best video ever!!! Thanks
Glad you liked it!
I just threw a bunch of flameless candles in my fireplace and called it a day 🙃
I have gas burning fire places in my house. The builders of the house did not tighten the gas line tight enough for the fireplace upstairs. I lived with leaking gas for a couple of months before I caught it. I've turned the gas off to both of them since...
Can you light those in a gas fire place.?
Thank you for this video! I actually never knew how to use a wood burning fireplace! I had one once but never used it.
Same
What happened if you put 9 woods the same time? Will it last for entire month
I used one of those logs for the first time today and it only lasted for about 3.5 hrs.
Hello how r you? I use to burn Duraflame logs in my fireplace and enjoyed all the pretty colors but when I looked outside and saw all the smoke in the sky it bothered me that all that smoke came from my fireplace so now I burn scented candles instead.Thanks for all your videos Francis!
The smoke it generates also bothers me a bit but then I rarely use these.
Stupid question. Do you or should you or should you not close the glass?
You should learn how to shave wood. Do it with a saw if you must. A log needs to be heated for 15 minutes to catch fire, so you can just put little fire starter instead of duraflame. Pinecone makes a nice firestarter, albeit a bit waxy.
Hey! Video Idea: Could you give your thoughts on couponing? I’ve always wondered if it was worth it. I’ve done it before and enjoyed the math. I would be really interested in seeing your though perspective. Like is it worth it to go around stores, buy coupons, rebate apps. If you haven’t done it before I think you might find it fun for a bit.
The four hour Duraflame log is meant to be a fire starter for real logs. I have been using them for over 30 years
Someone mentioned to crack a window when you light the fire to change the home's pressure.
I'm honestly really scared of open flames in doors, 🥵😟
Poke at it an hour or 2 in before the flame dies. When I do this the flame gets even hotter than when I first lit it
Cozy 🔥 A few weeks ago I uploaded a video lighting a Duraflame. It burned for about 3.5 hours. Try some real logs next time, Francis! Birch, maple and oak are good choices. Merry Christmas 🎄
I like this guy. lol, now I will go try it out and lit my house on fire!
Should put another piece of wood with that. Thought that was a starter log?
With CA spare the air days even in the winter, burning a log is becoming harder to do.
Next video: How to clean a fireplace.
When I was a kid, I remember my dad telling us not to use those duraflame logs in the fireplace because they leave a waxy residue inside the chimney flue. I wonder if that was even really true. Then again, it was the 80’s so probably LoL 😆
Well if you’re burning the plastic bag it’s going to cover the chimney with crap.
good tips.....next time do a video on how to use a crawl space....PROPERLY.
Casually eats a crab leg 🤣 thank you this is helpful 😁
I really like the random videos haha
Thank you for watching!