On a cold night, nothing rivals the simple pleasure of a multi fuel stoves flickering. Watching flames jump and dance behind glass is almost fascinating, like the TV nature designed for us to have. The heat isn’t only real. The house has a warm, emotional glow. But owning a wood burner does come with some idiosyncrasies that are worth writing about.

First things first: wood for the fire. Finding good wood can be like looking for treasure. The best kind of logs are seasoned logs. Wet logs? They’re the pennies in your pocket that you don’t want to burn and that make the place smell bad. Torture. When wood is dry, it crackles; when it is wet, it sulks. I once tried to burn willow that wasn’t seasoned. For days, the living area smelled like a swamp. Not again.

Cleaning out ashes is like an art form. If you don’t do it for too long, you’ll be cleaning up a volcano. If you do it too quickly, you’ll waste good embers for the following fire. It seems like everyone swears by their own routine. People who wake up early shovel up ashes in their pajamas, while people who stay up late enjoy the midnight ritual with a mug of chocolate.

There is also a social side. Friends gather around with hot drinks and socks that are toasting. People tell stories to one other, as if the fire brings back memories. Little kids sit down with big eyes, practically daring the fire to show them its secrets. Even pets know where they want to lie down, on the rug. Grandpa says, “Don’t burn pine; it’ll gum up the pipes!” This advice may or may not be genuine.

What about maintenance? It’s easy to forget about until you can’t. Glass that is covered in soot makes a lovely scene look like a hazy mystery. Chimney sweeps should get medals since they always appear cleaner when they leave than I do in my nicest clothing. Creosote buildup isn’t simply ugly; it’s the bad guy waiting to happen. Regular checkups keep you from having to deal with smoke filling the house when guests are over.

People in neighborhoods with log burners want to compete with each other. Who has the neatest stack of wood? Whose stove shines the most? It’s both funny and serious. A neighbor once tried to beat my woodpile, but we ended up helping each other stack logs. So much for competition!

If you’re thinking about putting one in, consider yourself: Are you the patient type? Taking care of a fire is like baking bread or making a good cup of tea. People who take shortcuts have frigid toes. Fire enthusiasts enjoy taking naps by the fire without meaning to.

Is there something mystical about it? Maybe. Maybe it’s because time slows down, tales come out, and regular places feel like home. Or maybe it’s just that everyone—people, dogs, and even the grumpiest cats—end up cuddling up beside that warm fire, and everything feels right with the world, at least until the logs burn out.