I set my record this morning. I have been challenging myself to see how quickly I can get a fire going without any firestarters. I cleaned out the stove this morning, since we were not home for Thanksgiving, so it was nice and cool. Cleaned the glass with a little ash on a newspaper(so the paper was a little wet) and one paper towel. I put a big log in the back, like I always do, and put the single piece of newspaper (and one paper towel to finish the glass) over top of the dead remaining coals. I put a few small twigs over the paper (I find this to be the key since they start easily), 1 5X5 piece of scrap wood, laying on top of the log in the back and hanging over the paper. I angled two small cherry splits over the paper and twigs, leaning on the log (Teepee style). I lit the paper and the fire almost instantly caught (I leave the door cracked). Within 5 minutes I added two splits and closed the door. At 10 minutes I shut it down the air the full way. It takes the Jotul 30 minutes for the fan to automatically come on.
I know this might be silly since we can use fire starters but I like to see if I can get a fire going on one piece of newspaper. I usually tie it in a loose knot, but today I just crumbled it up and half of it was wet. I do find that just collecting twigs in a box is well worth the effort. You only need a handful to get the fire going. I do not find bark that great for starting fires (although I get alot from splitting wood).
I know this might be silly since we can use fire starters but I like to see if I can get a fire going on one piece of newspaper. I usually tie it in a loose knot, but today I just crumbled it up and half of it was wet. I do find that just collecting twigs in a box is well worth the effort. You only need a handful to get the fire going. I do not find bark that great for starting fires (although I get alot from splitting wood).