Lighting a fire should be simple — and with the right setup, it is. Whether you're warming your home with a woodburner or hosting guests around the fire pit, getting the fire going smoothly saves time, fuel and frustration.
In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to light the perfect fire using kiln dried logs, kindling, and natural fire starters. It’s clean, fast, and works just as well indoors or outside.
Start with the right fuel
The foundation of any great fire is dry, reliable firewood. Logs with high moisture content will steam, struggle to catch, and leave you with more smoke than flame.
That’s why all Logsmith firewood is ultra kiln dried to under 15% moisture. It lights faster, burns hotter, and produces less soot — making your fire easier to manage from the start.
Use kindling to build your base
Kindling gives your fire a strong, hot base. It catches quickly and helps warm the surrounding logs to ignition temperature. Without kindling, even dry logs can take longer to light and may smoulder before they flame.
Stack 5 to 8 pieces of kindling in a criss-cross shape or pyramid, allowing plenty of airflow between them. Avoid over-packing — fires need oxygen to breathe.
Add a natural firelighter
Place a natural firelighter in the centre or underneath your kindling pile. At The Logsmith, we offer fire starters that are free from chemicals and fumes, making them safe for indoor use and better for air quality.
They light with a single match and burn long enough to catch your kindling and get the fire going without the need for newspaper or lighter fluid.
Stack your logs the smart way
Once your kindling and firelighter are in place, add one or two small logs over the top. Use smaller split logs to start with — these will ignite more easily than large rounds.
Stack them with space between, ideally leaning or crossing slightly over the kindling pile. Don’t pack the logs tightly — airflow is key to getting a clean, consistent burn.
Light and leave it
Now light the firelighter and let the flame take hold. Leave the stove door or fire pit open slightly for the first few minutes to allow full oxygen flow.
Once the kindling is burning strongly and your logs are beginning to catch, you can add a couple more logs and close the stove door (if indoors), adjusting the air vents as needed to control the flame.
For open fires or outdoor use, continue to build the fire slowly. Add logs gradually and keep the flame visible — a bright flame means clean burning. A smoky, slow-burning fire often means logs are too wet or packed too tightly.
Common mistakes to avoid
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Using damp or unseasoned wood
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Skipping kindling and hoping large logs will catch
Using too many logs too early
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Blocking airflow by stacking too tightly
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Relying on chemical firelighters or newspaper, which can create excess smoke
What if you’re using briquettes?
Briquettes are an excellent alternative to logs and can be lit using the same method — firelighter, kindling, then briquette. Because they’re denser, they burn for longer and provide steady heat. Just make sure they’re stored in a dry place and broken up slightly if needed to help them catch.
Summary:
Lighting the perfect fire is about moisture, airflow and layering. With ultra kiln dried logs, natural firelighters and a good base of kindling, you’ll get a strong, clean flame every time — indoors or outdoors.
At The Logsmith, we supply everything you need:
- Ultra dry hardwood logs in recyclable, stackable boxes
- Natural fire starters with no chemicals or mess
- Clean, dry kindling for easy ignition
- Delivery that gets it all to your door, fast