How to Start a Fire

Welcome back folks! Today we're here to explain how to start a fire meant for a chimney.

1. Make sure your chimney is clean and free of blockages. It's always a good idea to get your chimney swept before you start lighting fires in it. 
2. Open the damper.
3. Prime the flue.
4. Develop an ash bed.
5. Build an “upside down” fire.

-Nick

Best type of Burning Firewood

Here is a nice little info-graphic on what types of burning firewood to use:

How to Replace your Fireplace Mortar

Happy Monday everybody! Today, we will focus on some do it yourself projects.  

Chimney Company Hiring

Chimnee Cricket provides a range of services including small Construction, Landscape Projects. We are a medium sized company that has strong family values, and fortunately, we are looking to add to our successful team.  If you enjoy doing different types of outdoor/indorr projects, working hard, and making good money, then this is the job for you. 

Requirements
You need to have a variety of experience and knowledge.
Must be mechanically inclined, knowledgeable and dependable with verifiable recent work history. Must be capable of performing hard, heavy work, masonry work, chimney and fireplace work. 
If you cant or don't like to work  - You will not like this work. If you know some of these trades but not all, don't worry, we have great teaching specialists.

Please submit a resume or detailed work history with dates worked. 
Must be dependable with verifiable recent work history in the field.
General construction, mechanical knowledge, necessary.
Heavy equipment experience helpful. 

* Drug Test Required *
* Drivers License Necessary *
* Resume with recent work history required*
* Two References required*

All potential candidates should contact Jon at jon.cerrito@chimneycricket.com

Chimney Company Offering Free iPad

Here at Absolutely Chimney, we strive to let our readers know everything we've learned.  We will do anything we can that will benefit the consumer and make you a well informed shopper.  We want to make sure you are informed of all the deals and 'free stuff' we come across.  I know I like free stuff, and I am sure you do too!

Chimnee Cricket, a fireplace service and product supplier, is revamping their marketing approach.  They want to make their presence heard on social media, so what they are doing is giving away a free iPad.

In order to be eligible to win a brand new, free iPad, you need to do the following:

1. Go on FaceBook and search for Chimnee Cricket (facebook.com/chimneecricket)
2. Like their page
3. Share their promotional photo

That is all you need to do! Once the FaceBook Page reaches 5,000 likes; we will randomly select one of those 5,000 people and reward them with a brand new iPad!

Until next time,

Nick

Chimney Dampers

The process of selecting a chimney cap can be confusing, but the truth is that if you have an active chimney, you should have a chimney cap. Chimney dampers allow you to close the chimney flue when the fireplace is inactive. Closing the chimney flue is ideal to prevent heated or cooled air from escaping the home through the chimney. An open flue is an invitation for inefficient climate control and adds additional problems, due to prolonged exposure of the chimney to the elements.  Closing your chimney flue not only keeps your heat or cold air inside, it also cuts back on your electric bill.  And who doesn't love cutting costs on their power bill?

Furthermore, a chimney cap can actually help the performance of your chimney. Even if you don't live in particularly windy area, wind can still affect your chimney's draft. Strong gusts can cause the draw of your fireplace or stove to fluctuate rather than remain at a continuous, steady rate. This can cause downdrafting, a serious problem where the smoke from your fire is being blown back down your chimney. Installing a chimney cap can block some of the wind and help your chimney's draft remain constant.  And more importantly, it will prevent dangerous leaks and fires, providing an extra layer of protection for you and your loved ones.

That's all for today.  Enjoy your Monday, it will be over before you know it!

Nick

All About Firebox Refractory Panels

All manufactured wood burning fireplaces (Prefab fireplaces) are designed and built with what are called refractory panels, which line the inside of the fire box.

There are four individual panels.  The hearth (floor), rear wall, and two side walls.

The manufactures use these heat resistant panels for a few reasons.
One, they are the first line of defense in the heat insulation properties of a prefab fireplace.  Often prefab fireplaces are referred to as "zero clearance" fireplaces.  Although nothing is actual "zero clearance", the clearances to combustible materials such as wood framing is within 2"-4" of the unit. So with these tight clearances, it is necessary to have layers of protection with air gaps in between to properly dissipate the heat.

The next reason for use of these panels is, when they heat up, they provide some extra radiant heat.

The last reason is for looks. The refractory panels are often molded with a brick pattern to simulate a firebrick fire box.

Normal fireplace operation of extreme heat to cool and contact with pokers and slamming wood will cause the panels to crack and deteriorate. Usually the rear wall and floor will go first. It is necessary to replace these panels with new, to keep the same fire rating as was UL listed for that unit.  Additionally, new panels can be cut and fit if needed, from after market refractory panel slabs.

Also, our friends at Chimnee Cricket offered a free, how-to, do-it-yourself tutorial on how to replace a refractory panel for your fireplace.

Until next time...

Nick