Open coal fire newbie here

brunettegirl

we are about to move into a new house with open fires in living room and dinning room.
I have never had my own fire (Yipee) just visted other green with envy, however I have NO CLUE on what I need.

Okay I know I need fuel but should I use newspaper or firelighters?
coal or wood or something I don't know about
do I need special brushes and buckets for cleaning??
coal bucket?
matches or lighters or tapers?

obviously all of the above in the best MSe Way possible

I remember my grannie had a special kit of various brushes and shovels of varying sizes for cleaning out in a morning used to take an hour! - talking or which may seem really silly what do i DO with the ASH????

I did say complete newbie with no experience any advice would be fabby thank you

TimBear

My parents just use newspaper to get it going - rolled into tubes then tied. A few of those underneath a few dry pieces of wood to get it going, then top up with coal every now and again. Although having said that, they had a HUGE log on last night which had been burning for three hours when I got there and burned well into the night.

You'll need a coal bucket. Then a poker and some sort of pan and brush to clear up.

Long matches are useful so you can light the paper from under the grate.

gerdo

You'll need to check if you live in a smokeless zone, if so you'll have to use smokeless fuel.

w50nky

If the chimneys have not been used or swept recently it may be worth getting a sweep in to check and sweep them in case birds have nested in them. He will show you how to lay a fire after sweeping too! Just have some newspapers and some kindling to hand or firelighters if you prefer. Fire guard and companion set are usefull to have. Ask on freecycle as thats where I disposed of mine, you never know..

The ash is placed in your bin for disposal. Coal ash i not good for gardens.

Enjoy!

brunettegirl

its out in the sticks so I assume smokeless not an issue, but incase how do i find out?

w50nky

brunettegirl wrote: »

its out in the sticks so I assume smokeless not an issue, but incase how do i find out?

I think you will be ok in the sticks but some advice here>>

http://smokecontrol.defra.gov.uk/locations.php

gerdo

Your local council should be able to tell you

elsien

I very nearly set my house on fire copying my grandparents fire lighting techniques.
I'd got it started then it had tailed off again so I held newspaper held across the front to make it draw as I'd seen granny do. I was completely taken by surprise by the force of the suction, wasn't holding the paper tight enough, newspaper shot up the chimney, caught fire and nearly set the hearth rug alight. Steep learning curve, not to be repeated!
I'd second the getting the chimmey checked out properly before you use it. My chimney sweep has been called out to a spate of chimney fires from people using setting fires in hearths that haven't been used in years. Although he did say it was more of a problem with incorrectly installed wood burning stoves.
For future reference, if you order coal in the summer it tends to be a bit cheaper, and you can look on freecycle for people getting rid of wood to use as kindling. I've not had to buy any for a couple of years. And I got my fireguard and companion set from the car boot. Wilkinson's do the coal shovels quite cheap.
And don't forget the toasting fork! Enjoy.

A._Badger

I'd go along with most of the above but reinforce the point about getting a secure fireguard as you have a child in the house. Good luck, though - there's nothing nicer than a real fire!

brunettegirl

we have one of those all the way round guards but looking at another as well as two fires in the house

bleepandbooster

And don't forget the toasting fork! Enjoy...................... Most importantly don't forget the Marsh Mallows to put on the end of the toasting fork !!!!!!!!!!

Cofion
David