Comments for Chickens in the Road

Comment on How (Not) to Start a Fire in a Wood Stove by Anita

Anita — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:40:41 +0000

What all of them said. Kindling is the key, and if you can open an outside door a little bit until the stove gets going, so much the better. Also, once it gets really cold outside the stove will draw better.

Comment on How (Not) to Start a Fire in a Wood Stove by Myrna Mackenzie

Myrna Mackenzie — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:28:57 +0000

Patty, I think (not totally sure) that the essay is just the Tell Us More About Yourself…part under Suzanne’s profile. But I could be wrong.

Comment on How (Not) to Start a Fire in a Wood Stove by Patty

Patty — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:22:56 +0000

MUST STOP WATCHING THE VOTE!!! Aghhhh!! Okay, question, is there any way to see the “essay” that Suzanne wrote? All I can find on their site is the answers to few questions under her bio.

Comment on How (Not) to Start a Fire in a Wood Stove by pamb

pamb — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:19:16 +0000

I don’t have time to read all the great comments, so if I repeat, I’m sorry!

My husband found an article online a year or two ago about building your fire upside down & that’s how we do it most of the time now.

Moderate-sized log(s) at the bottom. On top of that we put a mix of sticks, paper, and cardboard. (We don’t put paper alone on top because the burning paper will float and suck up into the flue. So we mix the paper in with the sticks and cardboard.) Once it’s burning well and you start having a few red coals, add middle-size stuff. Once it’s burned partway and you have more coals, add the big stuff.

But whether you build up or down, as others said early on (and probably later where I haven’t read ), KINDLING! Lots of kindling, get the stove hot, then add the bigger logs.

I’m assuming you had the drafts open. Our stove has two, a lever at the bottom of the stove and another one that controls the damper to the flue.

You’ll get it! You’ve learned everything else you’ve set your mind to, you’ll get this.

Comment on How (Not) to Start a Fire in a Wood Stove by Myrna Mackenzie

Myrna Mackenzie — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:16:31 +0000

Suzanne, I wish I still had my Orange County RWA membership. I’ve already sent an appeal to my local RWA chapter asking them to help a fellow writer. I’ve posted on Facebook and Twitter. Really, this was a fantastic post today (amusing and personal and something a lot of people can relate to). Maybe more giant puppy or cute kitten pictures during the next few days (I try to find something about your day’s blog that I can Twitter about, as in “is this the cutest photo of a kitten you’ve ever seen?” Anything to entice newbies to your blog). Wish I was one of those folks who seem to know a million people…

Comment on How (Not) to Start a Fire in a Wood Stove by lishusm

lishusm — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:05:59 +0000

Comment on How (Not) to Start a Fire in a Wood Stove by Suzanne McMinn

Suzanne McMinn — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:02:49 +0000

The contest will end at midnight on the last day, which benefits the Pacific time people, so no!

Comment on How (Not) to Start a Fire in a Wood Stove by lishusm

lishusm — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:54:36 +0000

UGH Brigitte is now within 100 votes????????????? I’m dyin’ here people!!! Please tell me the contest ends early EASTERN time on the 7th???

Comment on How (Not) to Start a Fire in a Wood Stove by Box Call

Box Call — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:54:11 +0000

Light a piece of paper and put it up near the pipe, that will heat the air and then light the paper under the wood. Works every time if your kindling is not damp. Hey when I voted you were ahead….FYI I vote once at work and once at home…..

Comment on How (Not) to Start a Fire in a Wood Stove by Sharon Gosney

Sharon Gosney — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:45:12 +0000

try using kindling with smaller junks of wood to get a good base going, than add more wood. There’s nothing like a wood stove….all my house pets would curl up by the stove. Good Luck with fire and votes.