How to Start a Fire w/o Kindling

Cluttermagnet · May 1, 2009

* Splitter trash (mostly Oak)
* Pine cones soaked (stored) in kerosene
* A couple of 2 inch Oak splits

The pine cones dipped in candle wax are 'OK', too, but the kerosene works better.

A couple of 2 inch splits, usually Oak, laid side by side, then a pine cone between them, then some splitter trash across and lengthwise, then 1 inch+ splits, then bigger stuff around and over. Very reliable and foolproof.

wendell · May 1, 2009

Acetylene torch, 5x5" splits.

Wet1 · May 2, 2009

Two splits side by side, spray with brake/carb cleaner, throw in squirrel, and light with a match...

BrotherBart · May 2, 2009

TreePapa said:
ChillyGator said:

You can find 'fat lighter' around here just about anywhere, nearly as easy as picking dollar bills off the money tree.

I worry about storing too much in the yard, might light the whole block up in a lightning storm!

Click to expand...

Where is that money tree, anyway?

In the stump of any pine tree. That is where the resin is concentrated and that stump wood is what they package and sell as "fatwood".

fossil · May 2, 2009

I always keep a dead horse down in an ice and straw-lined root cellar, and every time I need to light a fire, I just go down there with a sharp hatchet and hack off a piece of the dead horse and bring it up and toss it into my stove and then I carefully place a few small splits around it, then I take my fireplace poker and beat the dead horse until it begins to smolder a bit, and then after a few more whacks it finally just bursts into flame. Works every time. Rick

gibson · May 2, 2009

fossil said:
I always keep a dead horse down in an ice and straw-lined root cellar, and every time I need to light a fire, I just go down there with a sharp hatchet and hack off a piece of the dead horse and bring it up and toss it into my stove and then I carefully place a few small splits around it, then I take my fireplace poker and beat the dead horse until it begins to smolder a bit, and then after a few more whacks it finally just bursts into flame. Works every time. Rick

He he he He he he ha ha ha! I've had a beer or two, so it took a moment for that to sink in...

Cluttermagnet · May 2, 2009

fossil said:
I always keep a dead horse down in an ice and straw-lined root cellar, and every time I need to light a fire, I just go down there with a sharp hatchet and hack off a piece of the dead horse and bring it up and toss it into my stove and then I carefully place a few small splits around it, then I take my fireplace poker and beat the dead horse until it begins to smolder a bit, and then after a few more whacks it finally just bursts into flame. Works every time. Rick

Aw, that's so old fashioned. Whack a couple of Super Cedars with that poker and get much better results- and they don't even need refrigeration.

mackconsult · Oct 15, 2009

The cups are not plastic, just wax coated. WVO is not a petroleum by product. I only use about 1/4 cup of oil in each of my fire starter combinations.

BeGreen said:
Everything's relative, including what is called "green". Make sure your cardboard/paper is not plastic impregnated. FWIW, using a petroleum by-product in firestarters is not "green". It is fast and frugal and can be effective. Fatwood, if just small splits of naturally resined pine is pretty green. However, if it's been transported 2000 miles to your door, then it's not. Not pointing any fingers here. I am no angel either and I appreciate Marty's tips.

Me, no problem with kindling. I use local cabinetry and flooring maker's waste. It's clean dry wood, it's kindling and with the T6, that's all she needs. Two full sized (dry) softwood splits about 3" apart N/S, 4 balls of newspaper stuffed between them, sprinkle some cabinetry scraps crosswise on the paper and light.

atomichawg · Oct 15, 2009

A roofer friend of mine sometimes replaces cedar shingle rooves and when he does a tear off he saves me some old cedar shakes. They are super dry, easy to split and burn like crazy. If you can get your hands on some, they are gold.

mackconsult · Oct 21, 2009

madrone said:
I've got bins to collect splitting leftovers, and branches from the oak tree in front of my house.

Yeah besides the sludge bricks I do with wood chips. I also keep a bucket of "splinters" and other chunks of wood for fire starting.

Oh yeah .... I also have a couple of pieces of that "fat wood" out back. They definitely take off.

gpcollen1 · Oct 21, 2009

Marty S said:
Friend:

Fatwood "is" kindling. Moreover, it's pricey. "Green" (see above) is lean. Green and lean is "in". Fat is "out".

Get hip.

Aye,
Marty

So, microwave popcorn is GREEN??

jkupcha · Oct 21, 2009

Load up with full size splits. Throw in a super cedar and puff!! Fire. Supercedars were the only way I could get my wife to burn. She never understood the "kindling" process

PapaDave · Oct 21, 2009

fossil said:
I always keep a dead horse down in an ice and straw-lined root cellar, and every time I need to light a fire, I just go down there with a sharp hatchet and hack off a piece of the dead horse and bring it up and toss it into my stove and then I carefully place a few small splits around it, then I take my fireplace poker and beat the dead horse until it begins to smolder a bit, and then after a few more whacks it finally just bursts into flame. Works every time. Rick

Uh oh Rick,
Eileen may take issue with this method.

Dave

Fsappo · Oct 21, 2009

Stack splits on one of those fire starter bricks, light the brick, set the air and fuhgetaboutit

PapaDave · Oct 21, 2009

Couple of 3-5 inch splits a few inches apart n/s, then about 3 splits on top e/w. A couple pieces of newspaper and "I have made fire". Oh yeah, I use one of those cheapo long nose lighters to fire up the newspaper. No spontaneous combustion happenin' here.

Dave

Cluttermagnet · Oct 22, 2009

PapaDave said:
fossil said:

I always keep a dead horse down in an ice and straw-lined root cellar, and every time I need to light a fire, I just go down there with a sharp hatchet and hack off a piece of the dead horse and bring it up and toss it into my stove and then I carefully place a few small splits around it, then I take my fireplace poker and beat the dead horse until it begins to smolder a bit, and then after a few more whacks it finally just bursts into flame. Works every time. Rick

Click to expand...

Uh oh Rick,
Eileen may take issue with this method.

Dave

And loose the flying monkeys?
Dog help us... :lol:

PapaDave · Oct 22, 2009

Cluttermagnet said:
PapaDave said:

fossil said:

I always keep a dead horse down in an ice and straw-lined root cellar, and every time I need to light a fire, I just go down there with a sharp hatchet and hack off a piece of the dead horse and bring it up and toss it into my stove and then I carefully place a few small splits around it, then I take my fireplace poker and beat the dead horse until it begins to smolder a bit, and then after a few more whacks it finally just bursts into flame. Works every time. Rick

Click to expand...

Uh oh Rick,
Eileen may take issue with this method.

Dave

Click to expand...

And loose the flying monkeys?
Dog help us... :lol:

You've been playing in the ashcan recently, huh?

Dave

Cluttermagnet · Oct 22, 2009

Yupers... ;-)

PapaDave · Oct 22, 2009

It's fun in there. Gettin' to kick some ash around.

Dave

How to Start a Fire w/o Kindling

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