The paper tube trick

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xman23

xman23

Minister of Fire
Oct 7, 2008
2,638
Lackawaxen PA
I told my wife I would give her credit for this fire starting method on hearth. The other night I was starting up a cold , clean stove. I'm burning some shoulder season wood, not very dry maple. Stuff I cut this year and wouldn't put in the main wood pile. So you get the picture, it's hard the get a burn going. I used a fire starter, scrap dry kindling and got it started three different times, but it died to smoldering logs.

So my wife says use the paper tube from paper towels. She had a collection of these in the closet. I slide the tube in between the three splits. Closed the door. The complete fire box erupts into ball of flames. It lights off the splits. I only did it once, but it got some wet wood started.
 
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I burn them when I have them. Also helps to fill the tube with lint from the dryer.
 
My wife collects them too, and TP tubes. Why ?? I think the operative term is "Hoarder" :rolleyes:
 
We pull them out when recycling. They're good shoulder season starters.
 
begreen said:
We pull them out when recycling. They're good shoulder season starters.
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I like the idea of using them with the lint in the middle. Talk about "going green" and using your trash.

Right now my 5 year old uses them for projects. By the time he is done..well, you know.
 
We do this and wax over the ends if we want firestarters for camping. They work well.

Sometimes we soak the lint in lamp oil or something of the sort before stuffing it in (again for starting a campfire, NOT a woodstove).
 
Fsappo said:
That was the first thing that popped into my mind as well.
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I wondered what they were doing in the living room closet with the fire starters. I had no idea what she was doing with them. Now I know.
 
Egg carton material works great for starting as well. More oomph than just paper, but also easy to light (with a bit of paper to help it catch).
 
Those tubes also make awesome seed starting "pots". That you can plant whole. I save all my tp and paper towel tubes for seed starting and fire starting
 
I have a collection of them in the closet too, wife saves them for me. Mostly TP cores with PT cores mixed in.
I save all kinds of burnables like cracker boxes and most any other paperboard container that's not gloss or foil coated.
 
Unfortunately the paper companies realised a new way of cutting costs and corners. They're starting to go tubeless (Kimberly-Clark has been testing the idea for 4 years and it's been creeping out ever since). Those closets may be off limits soon as they'll be collector's items.
 
Great idea. Working as a Custodian at a local school system, I can come up with quite a few of these in a short period.
 
I slide the tube in between the three splits.
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Could you elaborate on this for me please? Maybe a picture? :)

You put the tube on the fire brick with three splits on top perpendicular to the tube? Sorry It is early and my brain isn't quite working right. Sounds like a great idea though! Could pack that thing with lots of different items. Sawdust with a little wax would also work well me thinks.

Thanks' for the share!
 
Those with kids can also use old broken crayons as a limitless source of wax, always one or two within reach. TP rolls, crumpled newspaper and a few old crayons will light just about anything.

TE
 
larboc said:
A beer can full to the top with gasoline will burn hot and like a candle for over a half hour, will start any kind of wood on fire. Just make sure and use a full can or it can blow up on you. And don't tip the can over.
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One can only hope this was written in jest since every woodstove manufacturer specifically stares to never use flammable liquids in their stoves ... and perhaps even more importantly just about every year I see (in the trade journals) someone who has been severely burned while using flammable liquids in their woodstove.
 
TradEddie said:
Those with kids...a limitless source of wax, always one or two within reach. TP rolls, crumpled newspaper will light just about anything.
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Used Q-tips make great "mini torches" for lighting the fire too...;lol ;lol
 
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They do work well as a fire starter. I think it's the fact that they ignite easily and can breathe if you know what I mean... Just one thing about paper towel tubes though... My Black & Tan has a thing about them and he loves to tear them apart first! Lol
 
firefighterjake said:
One can only hope this was written in jest since every woodstove manufacturer specifically stares to never use flammable liquids in their stoves ... and perhaps even more importantly just about every year I see (in the trade journals) someone who has been severely burned while using flammable liquids in their woodstove.
Click to expand...

Years ago I knew of a house burning down due to a guy lighting his wood stove with gasoline. Amazing he didn't explode the house.

I to hope to.this comment was in jest.
 
Anyone that starts a fire indoors or out with gas is just asking for trouble! It's just too volatile. My sister worked in a famous burn unit in St. Paul and I've heard the stories and talked to many who have used it. They were usually under the influence as they say.
 
If your in a northern area that has downed Birch trees, the bark is a great fire starter but watch out cuz it moves a lot when it's lit.
 
WiscWoody said:
Anyone that starts a fire indoors or out with gas is just asking for trouble! It's just too volatile. My sister worked in a famous burn unit in St. Paul and I've heard the stories and talked to many who have used it. They were usually under the influence as they say.
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The guy is trolling. Check out his other posts.
 
larboc said:
A beer can full to the top with gasoline will burn hot and like a candle for over a half hour, will start any kind of wood on fire. Just make sure and use a full can or it can blow up on you. And don't tip the can over.
Click to expand...
a can of gas.... In a stove....? Sure! Lol... I've never heard that one being used on here before.... Mods...?
 
This thread has hit the crapper due to sick humor. Closing. It's been covered before multiple times. If interested, search is your friend.
 
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