1 in 3 people surveyed admit to “winging it” when lighting their fire

Almost half of people do not know where the firewood they buy comes from or how it should be stored

Consumer guide to lighting the perfect fire launched

8^th October 2015: A survey has shown that, in spite of the poor Irish weather, we are not experts at lighting the perfect fire.  One in every three of those surveyed admitted to “winging it” and almost half of those using firewood revealed that they did not know what country it came from or how it should be stored correctly. 

The results of the survey, carried out by Mulch, the household fuel specialists based in Coolock in Dublin, were released at the launch of a consumer guide containing tips and instructions for creating the perfect fire this winter. 

Other findings from the survey include:

• 55% of those surveyed learned how to light a fire from a parent while 36% of those surveyed said that they were self-taught 
• Although 81% of those surveyed say that they regularly burn wood in their fires, many do not know much about the wood that they use i.e.  
  • 46% do not know whether it is hardwood or softwood; 
  • 48% do not know what country it originated in; 
  • 46% do not know how firewood should be stored correctly 

John McGuinness, Director of Operations, Mulch said “The majority of Irish people have grown up in houses with open fires, yet it is amazing how little we actually know about how we can get the most from them. Stoves are becoming increasingly popular but many are not aware that burning the wrong type of fuel in a stove can damage the vents and melt vital components”.

6 Steps for Lighting & Maintaining the Perfect Fire

There are many variations to creating the perfect fire and most people have their own tried and trusted method. Here is an approach that is sure to work for both open fires and multi-fuel stoves:

• Tinder - creates the flame: Your tinder should be made from materials which will easily catch a flame when lit with a match or lighter. Tinder can include dry paper screwed into loose balls, dry cardboard such as egg boxes or toilet roll inserts. To save time you can use a firelighter. 
• Kindling - encourages the flame: Kindling is generally made up of very dry timber, in thin sticks, which will catch fire very easily. You can buy kindling, or make your own at home. It should be stacked loosely on top of the flame once lit.  
• Firewood - keeps the flame lit: Once the kindling has established a flame, you should stack 1 or 2 firewood logs loosely on top and allow these to catch fire. 
• Coal - establishes a base for the fire to last: Once a good blaze is established, you should place 5 or 6 nuggets of coal on top, allowing them to fall through the fire to establish a longer-lasting base than if you are using firewood only. 
• Firewood - maintains the fire: To keep the fire burning, you should stack a number of logs of firewood on top and replace as needed. Hardwood, with little moisture, will burn longest. 
• Tip – do not put too much fuel on at once: It is important to always allow air to circulate. Whether you need to replace the coal or not will depend on how long you want the fire to be lit for and what coal product you are using.

Mulch is a drive-through garden waste recycling centre and specialist retail store selling garden products and sustainable household fuels including Kiln Dried Ash Hardwood and Renewable eCoal plus de-icing salt for winter. Mulch offers a delivery service within the greater Dublin area. For further information, or to download a copy of the consumer guide, visit www.mulch.ie. 

Ends

Notes to editor:

Available assets:

Download launch photography

Download PDF of consumer guide here

Video guide to lighting the perfect fire

Interviewee available:

John McGuinness, Director of Operations, Mulch 

About the survey

The survey was carried out among 100 consumers using Survey Monkey, the world's leading provider of web-based survey solutions

About Mulch

Mulch is a drive-through garden waste recycling centre and specialist retail store selling garden products and sustainable household fuels. 

Mulch receives green garden waste such as grass, leaves, trees and hedges which is then recycled and composted into top quality, environmentally friendly, garden products including 100% Peat-Free Compost, Soil Enricher and Bark Mulch. 

Mulch also retails sustainable household fuels including Kiln Dried Ash Hardwood and Renewable eCoal plus de-icing salt for winter. 

Mulch offers a collection and delivery service within the greater Dublin area.
www.mulch.ie. 

Further information contact:

Gemma Smyth
gemma@gemmasmyth.ie
087-9156639