RichUncle said:Gonna look into the top-down method as anything that reduced smoke, is cleaner, etc. is always worth considering.
As for what I do now, a number of years ago I started just buying the fire starter "bricks" from the store in the 24 or 48 pack. I split them in 1/2 or 1/3 throughout the season and "cheat" this way, especially with these warm days and cold nights. For the most part I'm fortunate enough to have either branches or kindling or splitting scraps stowed away or lying around and build from there. Usually warm up the flue with some paper (recycling sure goes down this time of year, no?) then get at it.
If I have some real nice dry wood left over, I might get aggressive and just start loading, but most days it's the usual loading of smaller splits then larger stuff until it's going nicely.
One of these days I'll have to torture my daughter and show her how to start a fire "from scratch" (no fire starter cheat)... that should captivate her teenage attention for all of 3 seconds... LOL!
gyrfalcon said:Seriously, forget the bricks. If you're going to use a firestarter, get some Super-Cedars.
RichUncle said:gyrfalcon said:Seriously, forget the bricks. If you're going to use a firestarter, get some Super-Cedars.
Just checked them out after reading this thread. I'm adding them to my Christmas wish list... looks like I can cut them in half and extend the life of the package.
Incidentally, we had a couple of cedars fall a few years back and that wood makes great kindling all on its own. Nice and hot start, a medium piece thrown on the stove late in the day draws all the household critters hearthside as well...
Thanks for the tip on the Super-Cedars. They look like a great product.
gyrfalcon said:RichUncle said:gyrfalcon said:Seriously, forget the bricks. If you're going to use a firestarter, get some Super-Cedars.
Just checked them out after reading this thread. I'm adding them to my Christmas wish list... looks like I can cut them in half and extend the life of the package.
Incidentally, we had a couple of cedars fall a few years back and that wood makes great kindling all on its own. Nice and hot start, a medium piece thrown on the stove late in the day draws all the household critters hearthside as well...
Thanks for the tip on the Super-Cedars. They look like a great product.
You're more than welcome. Actually, a quarter of one of the disks is plenty if your wood is dry and you have a decent draft. They are an astonishingly good product, the rare thing these days that does exactly what it says it will do and doesn't cost much.
FYI, if you email them, they'll sell you a larger-size box without the blasted wrappers.
I have a very small stove, which means I'm starting from scratch most mornings, so these these are absolutely essential for me. I'm one of those people who generaly doesn't pay money for stuff if I have my own ingredients for free that will do just as well, but not having to fuss with paper and kindling and this and that as soon as I get up on a cold morning is something I willingly pay for.
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