I have started using wood fireplace, and I am not sure why, even after using a fire starter, the energy fire log doesn't maintain fire. At the end, it leaves a dark surface on the energy fire log as though the fire couldn't penetrate the fire log. Can you suggest a method to continuously burn energy fire log? Can I add some oil to the energy fire log?
I am using a High energy fire log and a fire starter.
When getting a fire going, we start from something small (eg grass) and progressively move to larger items (twigs, sticks) and finally logs. The reason being anything needs heat to burn. So a small amount of heat (a match) is only able to set fire to something slightly larger (grass or a fire lighter). Once that small thing is burning, we can then use it to light something a bit larger still (twigs or kindling), and so on.
In your case you have nothing between small kindling and big logs so there's not enough heat to light the big logs. So either you need to find something in the middle (broken up logs, or some other wood) or simulate it by using a lot of kindling. Tree logs come in different sizes so you can usually find something - a problem with manufactured logs is they're all the same size.
Also, make sure your don't have so much fuel that it's blocking the air flow to the fire. It's sometimes better to introduce fuel piece by piece than add it all at the beginning.
A single log (of any sort) burns poorly and usually self-extinguishes. Two or three logs are typically required to have a fire that will continue burning, as the spaces between the logs (where the heat from one is reinforced and heats the other, and vice-versa) maintain adequate heat to keep the fire going. A slight gap is required to allow air to flow in and provide oxygen for the flame.
Scattering a fire is one way to put it out without dousing with water. A single log is already "scattered."
Assuming this is in your house, in a stove or fireplace, adding oil is A Very Bad Idea and may result in you being a lot colder, due to no longer having a house to be in once you burn it down. Do not use flammable liquids in a solid-fuel burning fireplace or stove..
