Fireplace Advice

Hi.
I've been assigned the task of helping a friend start a fire in her fireplace. Apparrently everything is functional. I haven't done it in years though. I always used some kind of kindling plus some bigger logs. There is a metal support on the bottom.

Any advice? Sources for kindling? Is the hardwood available at Kroger? At Lowes? I'm more concerned about locating the kindling softwood....

Pointers from you old louisville folks?

Thanks!

p.s. I know I can just buy a duraflame log and toss it in, but I was hoping for more old school.

When I had a fire place, I would always use dead limbs in the yard for kindling. I think I bought bundles of kindling at Lowes. I know old school is preferable, but the duraflame starters are nice.

It has been a while since I started a fire. Our current house doesn't have a fireplace, and we installed a gas starter in the previous house (definitely the way to go).

Also, if you really want to get the fire going quick, use your kitchen torch instead of matches. I used mine to light my old grill for quite a while after the starter went out and it worked like a champ.

-Pete

We purchase wood from both Kroger (Highlands location) and Keith's Hardware. They do seem to run out ever so often. Not sure about the kindling. We usually just wad up some old newspapers or sticks & twigs from the yard. Generally, you can find twigs & sticks piled up along any alley in the Highlands. Ours alley is the one behind Cafe Mimosa right down the street from you. There's always sticks & stuff since that's where the the trash is picked up. Note: Make sure the flue is open & that the smoke draws up into the chimney (with a "test" piece of burning paper) before you build the fire.