There is nothing more frustrating than spending time getting a fire going with your quality bulk firewood, only to watch it slowly die out five minutes later. Whether it is your log burner, open fireplace, or outdoor fire pit, a fire that will not stay lit is almost always down to one of a handful of common culprits.
The good news is that most of the causes are straightforward to fix, and once you know what to look for, you are unlikely to have the same problem twice. Here is a rundown of the most common reasons a fire keeps going out and what you can do about each one.
1. Your Wood Is Too Wet
This is by far the most common reason a fire struggles or fails to stay lit. Wet or insufficiently dried wood simply does not burn well. It takes a huge amount of energy just to drive the moisture out of the wood before it can properly combust, which means the fire is constantly fighting itself.
Signs your wood might be too wet:
- It hisses or spits when burning
- You see lots of steam rather than clean flames
- The fire produces heavy, dark smoke
- It refuses to stay alight without constant attention
- The wood feels heavy for its size
The Fix
The best solution is to use properly kiln dried or well-seasoned firewood. Kiln dried logs have had moisture removed in a controlled drying process and typically have a moisture content of 20% or below, which is the level required under the Ready to Burn scheme.
At Conwy Valley Logs, all of our firewood is kiln dried and ready to burn straight from the bag. If you have been buying logs from a local farmer or roadside seller, there is a good chance the wood has not been dried properly, and that could well be the root of your problem.
2. Poor Airflow
Fire needs oxygen to survive. If your fire is starved of air, it will struggle to maintain itself no matter how good the wood is. This is one of the most overlooked causes of a dying fire, particularly in log burners and enclosed fireplaces.
Common airflow problems include:
- Air vents being partially or fully closed on a log burner
- Ash building up too deep in the base of the firebox, blocking airflow
- An open fireplace with a poorly performing chimney or flue
- Draught excluders, doors, or extractor fans affecting the draw in the room
The Fix
Start by checking your air controls. On a log burner, the primary air vent (usually at the bottom) should be opened up when you are trying to establish a fire. Once it is going well, you can reduce the air supply to slow the burn down, but too little air too soon is a common mistake.
Clear out ash regularly. A small bed of ash is actually helpful for insulating the base of the fire, but more than a few centimetres can block airflow significantly. Give the firebox a clean every few days during heavy use.
If the problem is with your chimney draw, see the section below on cold flues.
3. A Cold Flue or Chimney
If your chimney or flue is cold, particularly at the start of the season or after a long period without use, it can actually push air downwards rather than drawing it upwards. This downdraught causes smoke to billow into the room and makes it very difficult for a fire to catch and hold.
The Fix
Warm the flue up before attempting to light the fire. The simplest way to do this is to hold a lit piece of rolled up newspaper or a firelighter up towards the flue opening for a minute or two before you start. You should feel the air begin to draw upward. Once the flue is warm, light your fire as normal.
If you have a log burner, you can also try leaving the door slightly ajar for a short while at first to help warm the flue before closing it up properly.
4. Building the Fire Incorrectly
How you build and layer your fire makes a significant difference to how well it catches and sustains itself. Many people pile on too much wood too soon, which smothers the fire before it has had a chance to establish.
The Fix
Follow the tried and tested approach:
- Start with a base of screwed up paper or natural firelighters
- Add a good layer of dry kindling on top, criss-crossed to allow airflow
- Light the paper or firelighter and let the kindling catch properly before adding anything else
- Once you have a good bed of burning kindling, add one or two smaller logs to begin with
- Only once those are burning well should you add larger logs
Patience at this stage is everything. Resist the urge to pile logs on before the fire is properly established. A few minutes of letting the fire breathe and build up heat will pay off significantly.
5. Logs That Are Too Large
Oversized logs are a surprisingly common culprit. Large logs need a lot of heat to ignite and sustain, and if the fire is not hot enough to handle them, they will simply sit there drawing heat away from the fire rather than contributing to it.
The Fix
Use a mix of log sizes and always start with smaller pieces. Think of it as building up in stages. Smaller logs burn hotter and faster, generating the heat needed to ignite larger pieces. Once you have a well-established fire, larger logs will catch and hold much more easily.
If your logs seem consistently too large, a log splitter or axe can help you split them down to a more manageable size before burning.
6. Burning Softwood and Hardwood at the Wrong Times
Softwood and hardwood have very different burning characteristics. Softwood (such as pine or spruce) burns quickly and hot, making it excellent for getting a fire started. Hardwood (such as oak, ash, or birch) burns slower and longer, making it better for sustaining a fire over several hours.
If you are trying to use hardwood logs to get a fire going from cold, you may find it struggles. Equally, if you are relying purely on softwood for a long evening burn, you will be constantly feeding the fire.
The Fix
Use softwood to get the fire established and generate a good base of heat, then transition to hardwood once things are going well. A mix of both throughout an evening gives you the best of both worlds. This is exactly why we offer both hardwood and softwood options at Conwy Valley Logs, and why our bundle deals combining the two are so popular.
7. The Chimney Needs Sweeping
If your chimney has a significant buildup of soot and creosote, it can restrict airflow to the point where maintaining a fire becomes very difficult. A blocked or partially blocked chimney also presents a fire safety risk, so this is not something to put off.
The Fix
Get your chimney swept at least once a year, ideally before the start of the burning season. If you burn wood frequently, twice a year is worth considering. A clean chimney draws better, reduces the risk of chimney fires, and makes the whole experience of using your fire far more enjoyable.
8. Draught Issues in the Room
Sometimes the problem is not with the fire itself but with the room it is in. Modern homes are often well sealed for energy efficiency, which can actually make it harder for an open fire or stove to draw properly. Extractor fans in kitchens or bathrooms can also compete with the fire for air, causing it to struggle.
The Fix
Try cracking a window slightly in the room when you first light the fire. This gives it a reliable source of fresh air and can make a noticeable difference. If you have a kitchen extractor fan, avoid running it at full power while a fire is burning nearby.
A Quick Checklist
If your fire keeps going out, work through these questions:
- Is the wood properly kiln dried with a moisture content below 20%?
- Are the air vents on your log burner open enough?
- Is there too much ash built up in the base of the firebox?
- Did you warm the flue before lighting?
- Did you build the fire up gradually, starting with kindling?
- Are the logs a manageable size, or do they need splitting?
- When was the chimney last swept?
- Is a nearby extractor fan or sealed room causing air competition?
Start With Good Wood
The single biggest change most people can make is switching to properly kiln dried firewood. It solves or reduces almost every problem on this list. Wet wood is the number one enemy of a good fire, and it is also harder on your flue, producing more tar and creosote buildup over time.
At Conwy Valley Logs, we supply kiln dried hardwood and softwood logs throughout North Wales, including Llandudno, Conwy, Llanrwst, Colwyn Bay and the surrounding areas. All of our wood is Ready to Burn certified and delivered straight to your door.
If you have any questions about which logs are right for you, or you would like to place an order, get in touch and we will be happy to help.
