Why Your Fire Keeps Going Out (and How to Fix It)
- Meon Valley Logs
- Nov 1
- 3 min read
There’s nothing more frustrating than settling down for a cosy evening, lighting the fire… and watching it fizzle out before it really gets going.
If your fire keeps going out, or never quite burns properly, don’t worry. It’s a common problem, and it’s usually easy to fix once you know what’s going wrong.
Here’s our simple guide to keeping your fire burning bright and steady, with tips from the team at Meon Valley Logs.
🔥 1. Your Wood Might Be Too Wet
This is the most common reason fires won’t stay lit. Wood with high moisture content creates lots of smoke and steam but very little flame. Instead of burning, it sizzles - literally putting your fire out from the inside.
You’ll know it’s damp if:
It hisses or smokes heavily when lit.
It feels cold or heavy to the touch.
The ends look dark or mouldy rather than light and cracked.
The fix? Always use kiln-dried or properly seasoned logs. At Meon Valley Logs, all our firewood is kiln-dried to below 20% moisture content - meaning it catches quickly, burns hotter, and keeps your stove glass clean.
Even if it gets a bit wet in the rain, it’s still dry inside - just brush off the surface and you’re good to go.
🔥 2. You’re Not Using Enough Kindling
If your fire keeps dying after five minutes, chances are it never got hot enough to begin with. The key is to start small: build a solid base of kindling and let that heat up the stove before you add larger logs.
Use plenty of dry kindling (you can grab 4 bags for £20 from Meon Valley Logs). Criss-cross the sticks so air can flow freely, add a couple of natural firelighters, and light from the top.
Once the kindling is burning strongly, then add your first log.
🔥 3. There’s Not Enough Air
Fire needs three things to survive: fuel, heat, and oxygen. If it’s starving of air, it’ll fade fast.
Check that:
The air vents on your stove are open when lighting the fire.
The chimney or flue isn’t blocked with soot or debris.
Logs aren’t packed too tightly - they need space to breathe.
When lighting, keep the door slightly ajar for the first few minutes. That little extra airflow can make all the difference.
🔥 4. You’re Using Logs That Are Too Big
Oversized logs are great for long, slow burns once the fire’s established - but not at the start. If your logs are too large or dense, the fire can’t generate enough heat to get them burning properly.
Start small, then build up. Once you’ve got a bright, hot bed of embers, then add your larger hardwood logs.
Our Cubic Metre Bags (£125) are a great mix of log sizes - ideal for both quick-start fires and longer burns.
🔥 5. The Stove or Fireplace Is Cold
If your stove has been sitting unused for a while, the metal and flue can be cold, causing poor draw and slow ignition.
Try lighting a small piece of newspaper and holding it inside the firebox for a few seconds before lighting your main fire. This gently warms the flue and helps smoke rise properly.
🔥 6. The Wrong Technique
Sometimes it’s just about method. The “top-down” lighting method (where the fire burns from top to bottom) works far better than stacking logs on top of kindling.
Start with your largest logs at the bottom, add a layer of smaller ones, then kindling, and light at the top. It’s cleaner, quicker, and more efficient.
💡 Keep It Simple, Keep It Dry
If your logs are dry, your air vents are open, and your kindling is strong, your fire should roar to life in minutes.
At Meon Valley Logs, we make it easy to get it right - with quality logs, kindling, and free local delivery so you’re always stocked up and ready for those chilly nights.
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