![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbB4GD4PQbb8NPyA4em3omvFIJAE3Co2ZYFI_sJ2ZksZcd9Rw9_kH3I9KceypHZvMy17_7j329HU0p5rSszWxVgJV9WjciCWctIFfrCxa3fLuIEBmc4cAyr3DVGedQsBoenEaFgDx6k1w/s400/Fireplace.png)
I never seem to have a problem starting a campfire. In fact, about 18 years ago I built an epic campfire that still lives in family lore, through which I am certain I conjured the Bolrog. And yet I often seemed to struggle with getting a fire going inside a fireplace. This became evident when my wife and I bought our first house with a fireplace. Fires would smolder and fizzle, but seldom would blaze.
At some point, when time travel becomes possible and I can send myself information, my past self will be grateful to learn some tricks and tips to build a perfect fire. But for now my present self will be content to sit and read, blog, or watch a movie in front of a blazing fire in the fireplace.
So here are my tips on getting that perfect fire in the fireplace (or fire pit), based on hundreds of failed fire attempts.