Rather than be one of those folks who feels he/she can solve all the issues noted in a Forum, (I'm no "expert" at this stuff), I'll just note that we have had really good luck as far as "draft" is concerned.
Regardless of the reason, (not having burned a fire for a while; real windy day, etc...) I seem to have no trouble warming my chimney, or at least promoting proper draft, just by lighting the end of the role of newspaper, and holding the flame under the flue opening for a couple of minutes, THEN lighting my main fire.
That seems to be all I need, to prep the Flue, (at least here, in THIS application).
-Soupy1957
Regardless of the reason, (not having burned a fire for a while; real windy day, etc...) I seem to have no trouble warming my chimney, or at least promoting proper draft, just by lighting the end of the role of newspaper, and holding the flame under the flue opening for a couple of minutes, THEN lighting my main fire.
That seems to be all I need, to prep the Flue, (at least here, in THIS application).
-Soupy1957