How to Light a Fire: A Complete Guide

There’s an art to a good fire. Whether it’s the stove in your front room on a cold Lancashire night, the wood burner in the garden, or a fire pit for a summer evening, knowing how to light a fire properly makes all the difference. Do it right, and it’s quick, clean, and satisfying. If you do it wrong, you end up with a lot of smoke, wasted logs, and frustration.

At Ribble Valley Log Supplies, we’ve been working with timber for years. We know which wood catches fire easy, which ones burn hot, and which fire lighting accessories save you a world of hassle. This step by step guide to lighting pulls together our best firewood insights, so that you can light any fire with confidence.

Why Fuel and Firewood Accessories Matter

The foundation of any fire is the fuel you choose. Damp logs, scrap wood, or bits of old pallets will cause nothing but smoke. The key is good, dry hardwood – ideally kiln dried logs that have less than 20% moisture content.

Kiln drying means your fire burns hotter, cleaner, and with far less tar in the chimney. DEFRA’s Ready to Burn scheme explains why this matters for both heat and air quality.

Alongside the logs, a few simple firewood accessories make fire lighting much easier:

• Twizlers Natural Firelighters – clean, chemical-free, and reliable.
• Kindling – small sticks to bridge between the flame and your main logs.
• Smokeless Coal Briquettes – long-lasting heat, ideal for multi-fuel stoves and open fires where you want a steady burn with less smoke.
• Long matches or a taper – saves singed fingers.
• Heat-resistant gloves – especially handy with pizza ovens or fire pits.

Get those basics right, and you’re already halfway to a good fire.

Two Main Fire-Lighting Methods

There are two classic ways to build a fire.

1. The Top-Down Method (Our Favourite)

Logs at the bottom, kindling above, fire lighter on top. Light the top, and the fire burns down steadily. It gives you:

• Less smoke at the start
• A more controlled burn
• Less fiddling once it’s going

This method is widely recommended by wood burning stove makers like Jøtul because it keeps emissions low and ensures a clean burn.

2. The Bottom-Up Method (Traditional)

Firelighter at the bottom, then kindling, then logs stacked on top. This is the way most of us grew up doing it. It works, but it can be smoky and needs more tending.

Both work, but if you want less hassle, go top-down.

How to Light Different Fires

Different fires need slightly different approaches. Here’s how to get them going the right way.

Log Burners and Open Fires

For stoves and fireplaces, the top-down method is king:

1. Lay two or three medium kiln dried logs on the grate.
2. Add a few pieces of kindling sticks on top.
3. Pop a couple of natural firelighters between the kindling.
4. Light them and leave the stove door slightly ajar for a few minutes to boost airflow.

Within 10 minutes you’ll have a strong, steady flame catching onto the main logs.

Fire Pits and Outdoor Burners

There’s nothing better than sitting round a fire pit on a summer’s night. To get it right:

• Start with a small pyramid of kindling.
• Place a couple of firelighters inside and light them.
• Add a couple of silver birch logs once the kindling is blazing.

Birch is a cracking choice here. It lights fast and gives off a lively flame that looks great in an outdoor setting.

Safety note: keep your fire pit away from fences or sheds, and don’t use petrol or chemical lighters, they’re dangerous and leave a nasty smell.

Keeping a Fire Going

Once your fire’s roaring, keep it steady with a few simple rules:

• Add new logs to the back or side of the fire, so they catch from the embers.
• Keep a slight air flow until the logs are burning well.
• Don’t overload the fire – better to add a log at a time than smother it.

A bed of glowing embers is your friend. That’s where the heat lives.

Lighting a fire shouldn’t be a headache. With the right logs, a few simple firewood accessories, and a bit of know-how, with these top tips you can enjoy clean, hot fires indoors and out. Whether you’re still wondering how to light a fire pit, how do I light a coal fire, or just want to make your log burner less effort, the same rules apply: dry wood, steady airflow, and a bit of patience.

We’re burning logs here in the Ribble Valley every day, so if you need advice, or want to stock up on kiln dried firewood, you know where to find us.