How to Light a Fireplace: A Guide for Perth Homes

Little Loads
2 days ago
4 min read

If you've ever struggled with smoke billowing into your room, damp wood that won't catch, or a fire that fizzles out before it gets going, you'll know that lighting a fireplace isn't always straightforward. However, with the right technique and quality firewood, you can have a beautiful fire burning in minutes. Here's everything you need to know.

Start with Quality, Dry Firewood

The type and condition of your firewood make all the difference between a frustrating experience and a perfect fire.

Freshly cut or damp wood creates excessive smoke, burns poorly, and makes lighting a fire unnecessarily difficult. That's why we supply properly dried Jarrah and mixed species block wood that's ready to burn efficiently.

Our firewood meets Firewood Association of Australia standards, with at least 75% dry wood sourced from sustainable regrowth tree farms. This means cleaner burns, less smoke, and fires that light easily every time.

Storage tip: Even quality dry wood can absorb moisture if left exposed to Perth's winter weather. Store your firewood in a dry, covered area with good airflow to keep it in prime condition.

Gather Your Materials First

Before you start, make sure everything you need is within arm's reach:

Dry firewood (Jarrah or mixed species)
Kindling (small, dry twigs or wood pieces)
Newspaper or natural firelighters
Matches or a lighter
Fireplace tools (poker and tongs)

Having everything prepared means you won't be scrambling around once your fire is underway.

The Top-Down Fire Method

This method is cleaner, easier, and produces significantly less smoke than traditional approaches. Here's how it works:

Build Your Base

Place your largest pieces of firewood at the bottom of your fireplace, laying them parallel to each other with small gaps between. These gaps are essential for airflow.

Add a Second Layer

Add another layer of slightly smaller logs perpendicular to the first layer. This cross-hatching creates the airflow channels your fire needs to burn properly.

Continue Layering

Keep adding progressively smaller pieces, alternating direction with each layer. Your final layers should be kindling and small twigs.

Top with Firelighters

Place crumpled newspaper or natural firelighters on the very top of your wood stack.

Light from the Top

Light the newspaper or firelighters at the top. The fire will burn downward, gradually igniting each layer as it goes. This method produces less smoke because the flames heat the wood below before igniting it, allowing moisture to evaporate first.

The Traditional Bottom-Up Method

If you prefer the classic approach, here's how to do it properly:

Create an Airflow Base

Arrange two or three larger logs on the grate or fireplace floor, leaving space between them for air circulation.

Build a Kindling Pyramid

Place your kindling material on top of the base logs in a pyramid shape. Crumple several sheets of newspaper loosely and tuck them into the centre. Don't pack them too tightly, as air circulation is vital.

Add Larger Wood

Once your kindling pyramid is stable, add small to medium pieces of firewood around it, maintaining the pyramid structure and leaving gaps for airflow.

Light the Fire

Light the newspaper in several spots. As it catches, the flames will spread to the kindling, then to the larger wood.

Add Wood Gradually

Once your fire is established, add larger pieces gradually. Don't smother the flames by adding too much at once.

How to Maintain Your Fire

Once your fire is burning well, keeping it going is straightforward.

Add wood gradually as needed, placing new pieces toward the back of the fire.
Use your fireplace tools to adjust logs and maintain airflow.
Keep the fire at a manageable size and never leave it unattended.

Common Fireplace Mistakes to Avoid

Using Wet or Green Wood

This is the number one reason fires won't light properly. Wet wood creates smoke, not heat, and makes the whole experience unpleasant. Always use properly dried firewood.

Overcrowding the Fire

Wood needs oxygen to burn. Packing too much wood too tightly suffocates your fire before it gets going.

Forgetting About Airflow

Make sure your damper is open (for indoor fireplaces) and that air can circulate around your wood. Good airflow equals a good fire.

Adding Large Logs Too Soon

Be patient. Let your fire establish itself with smaller pieces before adding your larger logs.

Fireplace Safety Guidelines

A few important reminders to keep your fire safe:

Always use a fireplace screen or guard
Keep flammable materials well away from the fire
Have a fire extinguisher or water source nearby
Ensure smoke alarms are working
Never use accelerants like petrol or methylated spirits
Make sure your chimney is clean and in good condition

Stock Up Before the Peak of Winter

The best time to buy firewood is before you need it. Every year, demand increases once temperatures drop, and quality dry firewood becomes harder to source.

Getting your firewood sorted early means you'll be ready for those first cold snaps without the stress of last-minute ordering.

We offer flexible supply options from trailer-loads to truckloads, with delivery usually within 24 hours. You can also pick up your own firewood with our complimentary trailer hire (photo ID required).

Browse the Little Loads firewood range or contact us for assistance. Our team is always happy to help you choose the right firewood for your needs and answer any questions about quantities or delivery.

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