What’s the best way to build a fire in a metal fireplace, when you have to use mostly wet wood (it rained…?

we had wood saved under a tarp to protect it, and it worked for several days, but the last rain soaked the grround, and while the wood stayed dry on top—the bottoms soaked up the moisture from the rain..
All we have is what we toseed up on the dry corner of the porch, and what was near the fireplace.

I make a fire with my dry wood and stack enough wood for my next fire by the fireplace. It actually drys back out pretty quickly

5 Responses

  1. Mr. Worm Doodle Says:

    I make a fire with my dry wood and stack enough wood for my next fire by the fireplace. It actually drys back out pretty quickly
    References :

  2. Luke Says:

    Prop up your wet wood a little higher than you usually would in your fire place (with a block of wood running in the opposite direction). Start a small fire under the wet wood with a little dry wood and cardboard/paper. If you do not have any dry wood, pick up a small fire log from the grocery store and use that. The small fire will dry the wet wood then it will eventually light…then when it is all aflame you can one by one put more wet logs on the fire without putting in out…
    hope this helps
    References :

  3. larry o Says:

    use a firestarter and split your wood. it’s only wet on the outside.
    References :
    heating with wood 25 yrs and an ex boyscout

  4. HalfHandy2 Says:

    It is obvious that it is best to dry the wood out if possible both for the sake of the burn and the sake of your chimney. Wet wood stinks and can gum up the flue with residue and moisture/steam. If you absolutly have to use wet wood and you have a burning grate in the fireplace you can use a road flare to get damp wood to start. It is very effective but dont let the flare set on your firebrick or metal box surround while it burns or it can damage it. It is a good high power match in a pinch.
    References :
    many years in the hearth business.

  5. ericscribener Says:

    I left a link to a video - it’s awesome - changed the way we start our fires, for sure! The key is the starter he uses, but he also has some super tips for kindling. His chosen fire starter, which only costs about $6 and is at hardware stores everywhere, should start wet wood just fine. I hope this helps you get your fire started!
    References :
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVJc0sCsyJs

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