How to make a Fire Without Firelighters | The Old Mushroom Farm’s Guide for your Cozy Midlands Getaway

There comes a time in every city slicker’s life when they must confront the terrifying feat of lighting a fire without firelighters (it is possible, we promise).

Today is that day.

Welcome to your official introduction to country living at The Old Mushroom Farm in the KZN Midlands, where winter weekends revolve around slow mornings, crisp views, great coffee, and mastering the ancient art of making a proper fire. Once you’ve had your fill of wandering through the farm’s artisan shops and eateries, you’ll inevitably end up gathering around a fire. At The Old Mushroom Farm, one of the greatest joys of winter is leaning fully into the cosy side of it.

And because we believe in practical life skills around here, this is our foolproof guide to lighting a fire in one of the Crooks Goods wood stoves found in all our Boutique Apartments.

(Oh why yes, the Crooks fireplaces are made right here at The Old Mushroom Farm.)

What you’ll need to make a fire:

• A couple of sheets of newspaper

• A handful of kindling (small sticks)

• Some pieces of firewood

• Mild confidence (fires can sense fear)

  
  
  

  

  
  
  

Step 1: Scrunch up the newspaper

• Tear the newspaper pages in half and scrunch them into loose balls.

• Loose is important here. If you squash them too tightly, airflow gets blocked and your fire behaves like a moody teenager and refuses to cooperate.

• Place the newspaper balls on the empty grate inside the fireplace.

Step 2: Build your teepee

• Place the kindling over the newspaper in a little teepee shape.

• Place a few bigger pieces of firewood over the kindling teepee to catch the flames as the kindling starts burning.

*Again: gaps are your friend. Fire likes oxygen. Suffocating it immediately is not the vibe we’re going for.

Step 3: Light it up

• Light the newspaper in a few places and let the flames catch onto the kindling.

*At this point you’ll begin feeling wildly capable, but don't stop here.

Step 4: Add the firewood

• Once the kindling is starting to burn properly, start adding larger pieces of firewood.

• Don’t throw everything in at once. You’re building a fire, and don’t want to extinguish it accidentally.

Step 5: Close the stove door

• Once you can see that the bigger logs are catching flame, close the door and let the fire establish itself properly inside the wood-burning stove.

  
  

  *You’ll notice that this is the moment where the Boutique Apartment transforms into Midlands winter holiday perfection with crackling sounds and warmth radiating from the fireplace.

Step 6: Don’t burn your fingers

• Use a cloth when opening the stove door to check the fire or add more logs.

• The handle gets hot.

  * According to our tests, the science remains consistent on this point.

Voilà. That's how to make a cosy Midlands fire.

Watch the accompanying reel for our full fire-lighting demonstration and proof that your country glow up is within reach. 

If this level of cosy sounds appealing (we know it does), book accommodation directly through The Old Mushroom Farm website for the best rates on your KZN Midlands winter getaway.

And if you’ve become emotionally attached to the fireplace, you can take one home with you. Browse the Crooks Goods product catalogue on The Old Mushroom Farm’s website to view the wood-burning stoves designed and made right here at The Old Mushroom Farm.