STEP 1. OPEN DAMPER - ALL THE WAY! IMPORTANT: KEEP OPEN WHEN FIREPLACE IS IN USE. The DAMPER is inside of the FIREPLACE to keep cold air out in the winter. It is not there to regulate temperature in the FIREPLACE.
STEP 2. OPEN the Closest Window to Fireplace to equalize the Barometric Pressure BEFORE lgniting Fire. This will equalize the Barometric Pressure in the Room with the Barometric Pressure in the Fireplace. Newer homes are so well insulated that Barometric Pressures may vary from chimney to room.
STEP 3. Warm up the FLUE with a TORCH. There are two types of Chimneys: 1) Chimneys in Center of Home, and 2) Chimneys on the side of the home. Center chimneys warm quickly, but Side Chimneys frequently need warm-up assistance. To warm up the FLUE, light a TORCH inside FIREBOX near DAMPER to arm FLUE
STEP 4. IGNITE FIRE. Assemble Kindling and Firewood in a TEEPEE shape inside the FIREBOX. Light up kindling. Once a small fire is going, make sure that it is burning as close to the back wall of the FIREBOX as possible. Don’t worry about burning the back wall of the fireplace as it is built with FIREBRICK.
