I have a fireplace, a cord of split, seasoned wood, and a cold family. So I make a lot of fires. But, for me, nothing about a fire is ever consistent—not the tinder or kindling or logs. So, I always ...

Fireplaces are indisputably cozy. They evoke fresh snow and hot cocoa, winter weekends spent holed up in rustic cabins, favorite stews simmering on the stove. While installing a real, wood-burning one ...

Measure the area for the surround and the fireplace dimensions. Determine the exact top of the fireplace, because you’ll be setting a support slab across both sides of the surround to complete it. Dry ...

correctionAn earlier version of this article incorrectly identified the National Fire Protection Association as the National Fire Protection Agency. The article has been corrected. It’s that time of ...

Before starting a fire, open the fireplace damper so smoke can properly exit through the chimney. Use kiln-dried firewood for the cleanest burn and least chimney build-up. Kindling lights quickly, but ...

Q: I have a masonry fireplace that puffs smoke into the room when a fire is burning. It gets worse as the fire dies down. I've spoken with three bricklayers who build fireplaces and have received ...

If the fireplace has been used before remove excess ash and soot. Use a metal bucket to avoid accidental fires. Open your air control or dampener to allow air to flow through the chimney. Refer to ...