A wood-burning fireplace can be the centerpiece of a cozy home—it adds warmth, charm, and a rustic ambiance that’s hard to beat. But when it comes to using and maintaining your fireplace, simple mistakes can reduce its efficiency, shorten its lifespan, or even pose safety risks to your household.

Whether you’re a homeowner looking to heat your home, a DIY enthusiast eager to tackle home projects, or an interior designer advising clients, understanding how to care for a wood burning fireplace is key. Here are the top five mistakes people make with wood-burning fireplaces and how to avoid them.

It may seem like any kind of wood will do, but using the wrong type can lead to inefficient burning and excessive creosote buildup in your chimney (a leading cause of chimney fires).

The Fix:
Use seasoned hardwood, like oak, maple, or birch. Seasoned hardwood has been dried for at least 6-12 months and contains less than 20% moisture, ensuring a cleaner, hotter burn. Avoid burning softwoods, like pine, which produce more creosote and can clog your chimney.
Pro Tip: Use a moisture meter to ensure your wood is properly seasoned.

Neglecting chimney maintenance affects your fireplace’s efficiency and creates a significant safety hazard. Creosote—an oily byproduct of burning wood—can accumulate in your chimney and become a fire risk.

The Fix:
Schedule professional chimney inspections and cleanings at least once a year. This ensures that your chimney is free of blockages, creosote buildup, and other issues that could hinder its performance.
DIY Tip: Use the flashlight method to inspect your chimney yourself. If you notice shiny, tar-like buildup, it’s time to call a professional.

Many homeowners struggle with airflow settings, leading to smoky rooms or fires that fail to stay lit.

The Fix:
Make sure your damper is fully open before starting a fire to allow proper ventilation. Once the fire is roaring, you can adjust air controls to maintain a steady burn without excessive smoke.
Bonus Tip: If your home feels drafty when using the fireplace, install glass doors or use a fireplace grate to improve airflow control and heat distribution.

It’s tempting to pile on logs for a bigger fire, but overloading your fireplace can reduce airflow, which affects combustion and increases the chance for creosote buildup.

The Fix:
Stick to two or three logs at a time, depending on the size of your fireplace. Ensuring adequate space between logs will improve airflow, resulting in a more efficient and safer burn.
Pro Tip: Arrange your logs with a mix of small kindling and larger logs for a balanced fire.

Too much ash buildup can smother your fire, while removing all the ash can make lighting a new fire more challenging.

The Fix:
Leave about 1 inch of ash in the firebox—it helps insulate the fire and makes it easier to maintain a steady burn. When you do remove ash, use a metal ash bucket with a lid, and make sure the ashes have completely cooled before disposal.
Safety Tip: Never store hot ashes in flammable containers, as they could reignite unexpectedly.

Avoiding these common mistakes ensures that you’ll get maximum efficiency, safety, and enjoyment from your wood-burning fireplace. Proper fireplace maintenance doesn’t just keep your home heating system functional—it also prevents costly repairs (or accidents) down the road.

Looking for more fireplace maintenance or home heating tips? Explore our other guides, or sign up for our newsletter to receive expert advice on home care. Enjoy your fireside moments with peace of mind and confidence this season!