Warm Up to Winter - Sit by the Fire

There is nothing like sitting beside a crackling fire to warm your body, heart, and soul. Indoor and outdoor fireplaces are popular features in homes throughout the Golden Isles. If you’re a novice to building fires, follow our tips below to get a nice blaze going, then grab a hot beverage, a good book, a comfy seat, and enjoy.

First, clean ashes from previous fires out of the fireplace with a fireplace shovel. Make sure to open the flue or damper using the chain or handle located inside (or near) your fireplace. Have a dry pile of split, seasoned wood for fuel and kindling (newspaper, discarded paper, cardboard, small pieces of wood, sticks) handy. Pro-tip: Dryer lint plus a dab of petroleum jelly makes an excellent fire starter.

Place two large, split logs inside the fireplace, parallel to each other. Twist some newspaper and arrange it in a nest between the two logs. If there’s a grate, be sure to put some paper underneath the grate. Place smallest kindling on top of the newspaper, then place larger pieces of kindling on top of the two parallel logs, creating a bridge of sorts. (You can always use a fire starter brick here to get the fire hot and ready to burn your fuel wood quickly.) Make sure to allow space between the pieces of wood, as ventilation is essential for delivering oxygen to the fire. 

If you’re having trouble with downdraft from the chimney, there’s a trick called “priming the flue” that helps reverse the direction of the draft: ignite a piece of newspaper and hold it up to the flue opening. The hot air works to reverse the direction of the chimney’s draft, preventing it from blowing down your chimney and into your home. You may need to repeat a few times to ensure that the draft is going in the proper direction. Opening a door or window while you build the fire also helps stabilize the air pressure and encourages an updraft.

Light the newspaper nest in multiple spots and watch your fire spread to the kindling and logs. Blow gently on paper or kindling to increase and spread flame, if needed. Add new logs to the fire as needed by stacking them on perpendicular to the bottom logs, like you’re building a log cabin. Stoke the fire with a poker occasionally to move unburned wood into flames.

For outdoor ambiance with stargazing and s’mores, bundle up in front of a backyard fire pit. To build a fire in a fire pit, you’ll start a little differently than you do with a fireplace. Here, you’ll make a “tipi” fire, leaning pieces of split wood against each other in the shape of a Native American-style tipi, leaving plenty of room for air and your matches at the bottom. Start by placing a bundle of tinder at the center of the firepit. Then set up a tipi with some kindling. Leave a clear opening on the side where the wind is blowing to enable the fire to get the oxygen it needs and help blow flames higher and stronger onto the kindling materials. Light the tinder materials and add more kindling as needed to keep the fire going. The tipi structure will eventually cave in on itself. When it does, carefully pile more fuel wood on top. Rule of thumb: always have three times more firewood than you think you’ll need.

If you don’t have a fire pit or feel inclined to install one as a permanent feature,

Island ACE Hardware carries a nice selection of wood burning (and propane) fire pits to get you roasting marshmallows in no time! They also have seasoned firewood, fire starters, and most everything you need to tend to your indoor and outdoor fires. See acehardware.com or call 912.638.3800. 

Another way to enjoy the warm glow of a fire without the mess of ashes and

need to tend the flames is with a custom fire table. The Patio Store in Kingsland sells the uniquely designed gas Oriflamme Fire Table, manufactured by Designing Fire. Available in styles that include granite or hammered copper tops with decorative burners and glass options, these innovative tables feature a smokeless flame in the shape of a sun, martini, flower, yin yang, and more! They make a stunning centerpiece for conversation or contemplation. For more information, visit thepatiostorega.com.

“Winter is the time for stories, staying fast by the glow of fire. And outside, in the darkness, the stars are brighter than you can possibly imagine."  ~Isabel Greenberg

The magical allure of fire has attracted and warmed mankind since the beginning of time. Despite all of our modern invention and technological wizardry, you can still find us sitting near the hearth or happily dodging sparks with friends around a bonfire. Amusingly enough, we have even created virtual fires to crackle on glow on our screens when there’s no real fire ablaze in our home or office. This affinity has been immortalized by many pens over the years from Henry David Thoreau to Mark Twain. Author Vera Nazarian captures the scene: “The outside world is a dream. Inside, the fireplace is brightly lit…There’s a steaming mug in your hands, warming your fingers. There’s a friend seated across from you in the cozy chair, warming your heart.”

Here at Elegant Island Living, we hope that wherever you are and whatever blankets or beverages you choose, that warmth fills your heart and home throughout the winter and the rest of this year. We raise our glasses and mugs to all of you…

Cheers to a safe and happy 2021!