There are few things more inviting on a cold night than a crackling fire. If you have a fireplace, you will want to utilize its cozy promise to all those who pass your threshold. If you don’t have one, then don’t worry about this unless you want to rush out and buy one before your guests arrive.
Below are some hopefully helpful tips to setting up a “friendly fire” for all to enjoy.
1. Light the fire about one-half hour before company is expected. This way, it will only need an occasional poke to keep going. (Your guests may need more. A shove out the door might prove more effective.)
2. Open the damper as this will create the needed draft of oxygen. (Forget about that expression of putting a damper on things. It simply doesn’t apply.)
3. Keep a good supply of kindling on hand. Consider black and white newspapers, bone-dry twigs, pine-cones and nasty neighbors.
4. Keep a brick on the grate to create airspace between the logs.
5. Use only those long wooden matches to spark the fire and keep some nearby. Take heed or the fingers you burn may well be your own.
6. Don’t let the fire get too low. Otherwise, newly added logs won’t catch easily and may cause smoking and sputtering (not to mention stuttering if you get too excited).
7. Close the screen or sparks and tempers may fly.
So in general, light your fire and enjoy it, remembering that old Jose Feliciano tune, “C’mon baby, light my fire.” Remember also to avoid setting the night on fire as this might well include your house and all of its contents!
Happy and friendly fire to all!