Homes and Gardens / Craft
The perfect fire
The nights are drawing in and there’s a nip in the air. Keep cosy with our fail-safe guide to lighting a fire, plus how to make pine cone firelighters and perfect fireside snacks.
Lighting a fire looks simple enough but there’s a definite knack to it – follow this guide and you won’t go far wrong. Firelighters are expensive, and while rolled-up newspaper works well, we love the look and scent of homemade pine cone firelighters. Go foraging then make your own.
Different woods give off different fragrances – cedar and apple are favourites, or try fig branches for an exotic, coconutty aroma. Just make sure your logs are well-seasoned and bone-dry – wet wood makes for a smoky room.
And when your flames are dancing, bake apples in your hearth or try toasting muffins and marshmallows. Sandwich a toasted marshmallow between two chocolate biscuits (chocolate side in) for a quick treat to enjoy with a cuppa.
Look out for beautiful brass toasting forks in antique shops – often ornate, they set the scene and ones with telescopic handles keep you safely clear of the flames.
Can’t find vintage fireside accessories? Try our selection of top picks from the high street instead:
Clockwise, left to right:
Strike a light matches, £5.95, John Lewis
Curved glass fire screen, The Fire Basket
Fire tools, £295, The Clifton Fireplace Company
Wire log basket, £38, Decorator’s Notebook
Giant marshmallows, £2, Asda
Coal scuttle, £35, John Lewis
Wire toasting forks, from £4.50, REfound
Log holder, The Fire Basket
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