If you’re like most people, you probably don’t give much thought to how to start a fire in an outdoor fireplace. After all, it’s just a big hole in the ground, right? Wrong! There’s actually a bit of science involved in getting a good fire going in an outdoor fireplace, and we’re here to help you learn the ropes.

Supplies

The first thing you’ll need to do is gather some supplies. You’ll need a good supply of dry wood, kindling, and a few newspapers. Make sure that the wood you select is of a variety that burns well and produces little smoke. Some good choices include oak, hickory, or cherry. Avoid using pine or cedar, as they tend to produce a lot of smoke and don’t burn as hot.

Build a Teepee

Once you have your wood and kindling gathered, it’s time to get started. The first step is to build a small teepee out of the smaller pieces of wood. Place the teepee over the center of the fire pit and light it with a match. Allow the teepee to burn for a few minutes before adding any larger pieces of wood.

Add More Wood

As the fire grows, you can begin to add more wood to the pit. Add the logs one at a time, making sure that each one is placed securely against the previous one. You want to build up the fire slowly so that it doesn’t get out of control.

Monitor the Fire

As the fire burns, you’ll need to monitor it closely. Use a poker to rearrange the logs as needed to ensure that they’re burning evenly. Add more wood as necessary to keep the fire going.

Extinguish the Fire

When you’re ready to extinguish the fire, simply douse it with water. Make sure that all of the embers are extinguished before you leave the area.

With these tips in mind, you should be able to get a great fire going in your outdoor fireplace. Just remember to take your time, add the wood slowly, and monitor the fire closely.