There is nothing cozier than the warmth and crackle of a fireplace.
But how do you create the perfect fire during your stay at vacation home ELLÉ’BELLE?

1. START FROM THE TOP

There are two ways to light a fire in an open fireplace. You can start the fire either from the top or the bottom of the wood stack. Most experts prefer starting from the top. By using this method, you prevent the fire from having to work hard to warm up cold logs first. Heating the wood from above allows it to gradually catch fire. This way, less smoke is produced, and the logs burn much better.

2. ENSURE GOOD VENTILATION

First, place the logs on the fireplace floor. Allow extra oxygen into the fireplace using the iron ‘damper’ located on the left side at the bottom of the fireplace. With extra oxygen, the wood ignites more easily. Additionally, the flames will be much more intense due to the extra oxygen. This results in a cleaner, more efficient burn with less smoke because more gas particles are burned. Thick and black smoke indicates an inefficient burn. Small pieces of wood are ultimately converted into heat very efficiently.

3. ADD KINDLING AND BRICKS

Supplement the large logs with a layer of small logs of a few centimeters and one or two layers of kindling. Maintain a spacing of about one centimeter when stacking the pieces. To achieve a good and efficient burn, it is important that enough air reaches the fire. Place the kindling or briquettes used to start the fire in a crisscross pattern on top of the kindling.

4. LIGHT THE FIRE

After these preparatory steps, you only need to light the briquettes to start the fire in the fireplace. Open the fireplace door slightly for about 10 seconds to get a good start. Then close the door. The iron ‘damper’ on the left side at the bottom of the fireplace can now be returned to position 1/line-1 if needed. It is best not to add new logs just before going to bed (about an hour before). Ensure fresh air by opening a window.

5. EMERGENCY

A fire blanket and a fire extinguisher are available in the kitchen and at the back of the XL wood basket next to the fireplace. Emergency numbers and instructions are provided in the kitchen.

Cozy fireplace songs are available via the ELLÉ’BELLE Spotify Playlist ‘Haard Klassiekers’ and the Sonos music system.

Make it cozy!
Stay safe!

Family B.