The Fireplace

The living room fireplace burns wood. Split logs are stacked under the deck, and the kindling bin and matches are beside the hearth.

1. Open the flue. The lever inside the top of the firebox pulls toward you until it clicks.
2. Build it small. Two logs and a handful of kindling is plenty for this room.
3. Keep the screen closed while it burns. The hearth stone gets hot, so keep towels and bags off it.
4. Let the fire burn down before bed. Leave the flue open until the ashes are cold, the next morning at the earliest.

Ashes go in the metal bucket by the deck door, never in the trash.