Tips to Build a Clean Burning Fire With Little Smoke

On a chilly winter night, nothing warms a home more quickly than a crackling wood fire. Building a brightly burning fire takes a little practice, but once you've mastered the technique you'll start efficient fires in only a few minutes.

1. Place two split logs in your fireplace with 4 to 6 inches between them. Choose logs that are about 3 to 4 inches thick.

2. Twist a length of black and white newspaper and place it between the two logs.

3. Place 1 inch of kindling on top of the newspaper and logs. Light the newspaper with a match and allow it to burn for several minutes.

4. Lay 3 or 4 small logs (3 to 4 inches thick) perpendicularly on top of the two logs in the fireplace once the kindling has almost burned out.

5. Add larger logs once the fire is burning brightly. Always add 2 or more logs at a time for most efficient burning.