The key is to burn small, hot fires, using
well-split hardwood that will minimize creosote accumulation and maximize heat output.
Keep fires burning hot with flames, not smoldering with a lot of smoke. Be
careful not to add too much firewood. In a fireplace, keep the top of the flames
visible below the fireplace opening. In a woodstove, keep the flames confined
to the woodstove itself. With glass doors, keep the doors wide open with the
screen closed for a good half hour after starting the fire. When you see the
fire is burning well, you may close the doors and set any draft controls. It's better to
add smaller loads more often than to cram in a lot of wood trying to get an
all-day burn. When you're ready to put out a fire, separate the logs by moving
them to the side of the fireplace or stand them on end in the back of the
fireplace. Close the screen or glass doors tightly, but don't close the damper
until you're sure the fire and coals are completely out.
