1. Ensure the logs are dry – you shouldn’t hear any hissing sounds.
  2. Add small kindling (¾” to 1” in diameter) on top of the starter material. If the kindling is not the right size or not in the right place, your fire won’t build up a hearty group of embers.
  3. Make sure you start the fire with logs that are split, and no more than 2.5 inches across at their widest.
  4. Mix softwood and hardwood together for your logs – this provides a better variety of burning qualities to get the fire going and keep it going. For more on firewood types, see our Firewood Ratings page.
  5. Use an IncinerGrateTM to simplify the process of organizing your starter, kindling, and logs, and keep them in an ideal configuration for long, clean burning.