Waukesha County Home

Dear Jim: I added a blower and will use my fireplace often this year. I have had a problem getting fires started. What is the best way to lay a fire and get it started with- out filling the room with smoke? — Yvonne B. Dear Yvonne: There are some fire-build- ing basics, but if you ask 10 old-timers about the best method, you will probably get 10 different answers. Although there are many effective and efficient tips for lay- ing a fire and keeping it going, most have some basic fire-building concepts in com- mon. Before using your fireplace, have the chimney inspected by a certified chimney sweep. Many houses burn to the ground each year from deteriorated and dirty chimneys. This is more common if you have had previous problems getting hot, smoke-free fires started. A slow, smoky fire produces much flammable creosote which gradually builds up inside the chimney. Most fire-building techniques for a hot fire use newspapers, kindling or firestarters, some softwoods, and mostly hardwoods. The purpose of newspapers is to warm the chimney and get the kindling going. The kindling holds the flame long enough to ignite the softwood and hard- wood logs. Two common methods to lay a fire are the tepee and the English configurations. Both use crumpled newspapers placed under andirons or a grate. Always use well-sea- soned wood when staring the fire. A small percentage of green logs can be added after the fire is raging. Place kindling or firestarters in the cen- ter for the tepee method and stack several logs on end to form a tepee pattern. This creates channels of hot gases up between the logs to quickly get them started. Once they are burning well, additional logs can be added in any fashion. The English method is preferred when using andirons. Place several logs on the andirons. Lay kindling across these logs and then place more logs on top of the kin- dling. It sometimes also helps to place a few pieces of kindling vertically down into the newspapers and up between the logs. With either method, place some loose uncrumpled newspaper over the logs. Before lighting the newspapers under the logs, light the top newspaper sheets to cre- ate an upward chimney draft. Once the smoke draws strongly up the chimney, light the newspapers under the logs from each end. Some people also recommend a back log. This is a large log laid at the back of the fireplace. It eventually burns, but its pri- mary purpose is to keep the logs on the andirons and protect the fire brick. The front of the back log will glow red which radiates more heat out into your room. You can buy small firestarters, such as the Pine Mountain ExtremeStart, but it is not difficult to make your own. Fill condi- ment cups with sawdust and then pour in melted paraffin or old candle wax. For more decorative starters, place a pine cone in a cupcake paper, add a wick and fill it with candle wax. Make newspaper logs by wrapping sheets of newspapers around a broom handle, wetting them with a water/flour solution and allowing them to dry. They will stay together when dry. Dear Jim: I run my dehumidifier some- times to minimize allergy problems for my daughter. Is the water from a dehumidifier very pure and can it be used in a steam iron, car battery or in my goldfish bowl? — Andy G. Dear Andy: A dehumidifier is somewhat similar to the last stage of a water distiller where water vapor condenses into water. There are no hard water ions in the dehu- midifier water so it should be fine for the steam iron. There are chemical vapors in indoor air from cleaners and synthetic products. These may or may not also condense into the dehumidifier water depending upon their boiling point. Don't use it in a battery or fish bowl. (Send inquiries to James Dulley, The Free- man, 6906 Royalgreen Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visit www.dulley.com.) K i t c h e n s | B a t h s | D e n s | C a b i n s | O f f i c e s | R e c R o o m s Work With Experienced Design Professionals "We Specialize in Cabinetry" 1005 Richards Road, Hartland | 262.367.9439 www.kitchencreators.com Cabinetry For Every Room, Every Budget! WE OFFER: NORCRAFT CABINETRY MID CONTINENT CABINETRY OMEGA CABINETRY DYNASTY CABINETRY WOODLAND CABINETRY 253488001 We Beat All Big Box Stores and all Competitors | Visit Our Showroom By Appointment Make an appointment today and learn about the new trends and cabinet specials. JANUARY 2017 HOMES PLUS 5 JAMES DULLEY James Dulley The English method is ideal for andirons and larger logs. The kindling is placed between layers of horizontal pieces of firewood. James Dulley The tepee method of laying a fire is effective with smaller logs on a grate. Notice the firestarter in the center of the tepee. How to start a fire — and hold the smoke

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