Tips for lighting fires in fireplaces?
 

My homes have always had gas log lighters to make starting a fire very easy. Unfortunately, the new house in Indiana does not have such luxuries.

Does anyone have any tips on how I can teach a girl to safely light a fire in a fireplace?

I was going to suggest she start collecting pine needles to use for kindling. I also thought that a Dura-Flame log might be a good way to kindle a fire.

I just remembered that my ex-father-in-law used to make "logs" from old newspapers (had some device that rolled them up real tight).

Anyone else have any tips?

tons of high quality gasoline and a box of matches

why would you need "high quality" gas or an entire box of matches?

As boy alley said, use newspaper. Just bunch a few sheets up into balls and put them underneath.

high quality burns longer and better... you do know there is a shitty quality of gas, thats what gas problems cars have are from, and tons of matches because alot of people throw a match at the fire with that much gas poured on it... so you will most likely blow it out before it blows up in your fireplace

roll up the paper real tight? I was always taught to crumble it up into loose balls. You want the air in between all the paper so it actually burns.

but those starter logs are fool proof.

I have used chopped up Xmas trees, and they work better than gas. Very hot flame.

I guess the secret is to use them before they get "too dry."

use a tightly rolled newspaper in a "bowtie" type shape, light from both ends. put this under a bit of small kindling, and make sure theres enough air coming up from under it.


for kindling, wood chips from the logs work great.

I have fire skills, but don't think it is something I can teach in a weekend. Hence the request for tips before I head out there again.

Bacardi 151 and a lighter