Lighting a fire in your closed combustion fireplace

Some very helpful information for lighting your fire in closed combustion woodburning fireplaces:

The first burn of your fireplace:

• If your fireplace has been installed through the roof, do not burn the fireplace for at least the first 24 hours because the waterproofing needs this time to cure naturally
• Take 2 pieces of firelighters, and load your firebox with as much dry kindling as possible. If it’s very cold, place a few pieces of firelighters on top of the kindling.
• Open your vents – make sure that your primary and secondary airflow is fully open.
• Light your fireplace; leave the door slightly ajar (10mm). Allow the kindling to burn for about 10 to 15 minutes.
• Add more kindling and a couple of split logs and allow burning for approximately another 10 to 15 minutes. You should now have a good bed of coals.
• Continue adding logs, to ensure your fireplace heats up to very high temperatures.
• DO NOT CLOSE the door, as it’s imperative that your paint needs to cure.
• An approximate burning in time of 4 to 6 hours is recommended, preferably during the day, as the fireplace may give off a chemical smell and smoke fumes.
• This first burn will also cure the glue on the rope seal around your door and glass. It will prevent it from coming loose in the future.

 Lighting a fire – safe for you and your fireplace:

1. Take approximately 2 pieces of fire-lighters, and load your firebox with as much dry kindling (small pieces of wood) as possible. If it’s very cold, place a few pieces of fire-lighters on top of the kindling.
2. Pull your riddling arm out (if your fireplace has one), and make sure that your primary and secondary airflow is fully open.
3. Light your fireplace; leave the door slightly ajar (10mm). Allow the kindling to burn for about 5 minutes.
4. Add 3 to 4 normal logs on top of the kindling, and then close the fireplace door.
5. Once a comfortable temperature in your room is attained, the air supply into your firebox can be reduced, so as to increase the burn time of the logs. They must however always burn with a flame to prevent your glass from blackening.
6. Burning with your door open for extended period of time is not recommended, as it may cause damage to your fireplace (except for the first burn)
7. The inlets for primary air supply may be opened only during the firing phase.
8. Closing both primary and secondary air supplies at any given time, will deprive the fireplace of oxygen, allow the flames to die but may cause damage to your fireplace.

Also, see this handy “Metelerkamps Correct Firing Document” on lighting your fires

Do not over fire your fireplace, maintain it and it will keep you warm for years to come!