Build a Blackberry Fire

As the temperatures slowly drop, we welcome cool mountain evenings. Guests at Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain are provided with the perfect fireplace set up so that every night can be as warm and cozy as they desire. We’re sharing how our team sets each fireplace to create a fire that lasts.

To ignite the fireplaces in our accommodations, the team begins with a small cluster of all-natural pine fatwood, newspaper, matches and a Duraflame fire starter. (Fatwood is simply dried wood that is full of resin or pitch.) Of course, have additional wood at the ready to feed the fire once it’s ignited. To create the ideal stack, the logs are assembled with a Duraflame fire starter log in the center, and four to six pieces of wood stacked above in a Lincoln Log method.

Next, we place a piece of newspaper near the bottom of the wood. When the Duraflame fire starter is lit, it will catch to the newspaper and wood. A few additional pieces of newspaper can be strategically placed so that as the fire climbs toward each log, the newspaper will also light and continue to hold a flame.

Air flow is extremely important for building and maintaining a great fire, so make sure the flue is open at all times and gently fan the flames, if needed, when first lighting your fire. It’s also important to have a clean grate for each new fire. So, you want the old ash from previously burnt logs, and the logs themselves, removed before restarting each evening.

No matter where you gather, build a fire that’s made to last, and enjoy.