Skip to content
join

Idler Logo Idler

  • Idle Thoughts
  • Academy
  • Events
    • Events
    • Courses
    • Calendar
    • Retreats
  • About
    • About Us
    • FAQ and Knowledge Base
    • Where to buy
    • Sample Issue
    • Patrons
  • Login
    • My Online Courses
    • My Audio
    • Digital Edition
    • My Details
    • My Orders
  • SUBSCRIBE
Get Free Newsletter

Idle Pleasures: Poking the fire

Jock Scot | 19 Jul 2020 | Comment

Once you’ve got a roaring fire going, indulge yourself in the simple pleasure of giving it a good poke. The poker is not just there to help revive a dying fire. It is best used when the flames are threatening to set fire to the chimney and you are having difficulty getting close enough to the grate to place it it amidst the burning embers. Use it then to swiftly reposition any lumps of coal which are slightly out of position or marginally off centre, fashioning a red-hot cradle for the final touch, a dry conifer log. Preferably with a dusting of frost, ice or snow still on it, as this damp coating will help add a pleasant variety to the smoke coming from the conflagration and may also provide a satisfying hissing sound. Before you lean back in the cosy armchair to take another long pull on that 25-year-old whisky that you have been saving for just such a moment, thrust the poker into the heart of the fire and leave it there. After a few minutes the poker will be red-hot, remove from the fire and plunge it into a bucket of cold water. Now enjoy the juddering sensation as it immediately cools and acrid fumes rise from the bucket. 

By Jock Scot

Picture by Ged Wells

From The Book of Idle Pleasures (Ebury), ed Dan Kieran and Tom Hodgkinson

Share: Facebook | Twitter | Email


Sign up to the Idler Mailing List for regular letters from editor Tom Hodgkinson plus offers and news. It’s free

Previous Article Back Next Article

Related Items

Book of the Week: House Party

Jason Williamson | Books

Work’s shit when you’re in a band, says Sleaford Mod Jason Williamson… Read more

Catching a lucky break: ah, is this not happiness?

Jin Shengtan | Idle Thoughts

The 22nd of 33 happy moments from a 17th-century Chinese scholar… Read more

Why January is for lolling by the fire

Tom Hodgkinson | Letter from the Editor

Get busy doing nothing… Read more

  • Home
  • Calendar
  • Press
  • Digital Edition
  • Online Courses
  • Events & Talks
  • About
  • Membership
  • Newsletter Sign Up
  • Where to buy the Idler
  • Media Pack
  • FAQ and Knowledge Base
  • Sample Issue
  • Back Issues
  • Online Shop
  • Contact
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • My Account

Great Western Studios, 65 Alfred Road, London W2 5EU

©2021 The Idler

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok