I use a good quality firelighter, a couple of handfuls of kindling, thinner pieces of kindling over the firelighter this will spread the fire quicker and 2/3 logs over the top. I open the primary air and airwash and if necessary, I leave the stove door very slightly open to draw air through for a couple of minutes, then close it. (in the old days we used a sheet of newspaper to light the old open fires) When the fire is established and burning well, add in a few small shovels of coal, depending on the size of your stove, when that’s going add logs as and when needed.
– William Evans