Few things bring as much comfort on a chilly evening as a fire. When you want guests at your restaurant to feel cozy and warm, a fire is always a great idea. Here are some tips on starting a fire and keeping it burning, so it doesn’t fizzle out before the evening’s over.
Get kindling
You may think the only thing you need for a fire is the wood, but there’s another essential element you need to pick up: kindling. In essence, they’re just scraps of dry wood, but their purpose is different. Kindling will allow your fire to start in the first place, so you don’t have to keep your guests waiting.
Make sure your firewood is dry
Nothing will ruin your efforts for a roaring fire quite like damp firewood. Unfortunately, if heavy rains just occurred and your wood was left outside, there’s not much you can do but wait. That’s why it’s important to cover your wood; make sure it’s kept bone dry before your restaurant opens. This will give the wood the best chance to stay burning all night long.
Clean out your fireplace
Not only will ash make your fire smoky and uncomfortable, but it can even stop it from starting in the first place. If you have some leftover debris in your fireplace from the previous evening, clean that out before you start another. Simply shovel out the ash and dispose of it properly, as it’s a flammable material.
Obtain matches
While the wood and kindling are necessary components, no fire can start without an actual fire starter. Your best bet is to use matches. One of the best ways to start the fire, and bring attention to your restaurant, is with a branded matchbox. They can spark a flame and promote your brand to customers at the same time.
Lay down your kindling and light it
Since it’s the most flammable component, you want to light the kindling first. Simply lay pieces down across each other, but make sure to allow for some airflow between each piece. Air is essential for a roaring fire. Light up scrap paper or newspaper, and push it into the kindling until those pieces of wood light on fire.
Add in the logs
Kindling may look impressive at first, but to get a substantial fire that will burn for a long time, you will need logs. A surefire way to keep the fire burning until closing, and let in air, is to arrange the logs like a tepee. This will keep the logs sturdy and still allow enough oxygen in to fuel the fire.
Adjust the fire as needed
You may feel tempted to rest, but even when your fire looks fantastic, the work is not yet done. Fires are finnicky, so you will need to adjust it throughout the evening. When it starts to die down, go ahead and add some more newspaper while fanning it. This should be done very gently, as too much air can blow it out entirely. As long as you keep a close eye on it, and encourage the flames when needed, you should have a fire that keeps you and your guests warm all night.
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