Using gel starter?

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slackercruster

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Oct 21, 2011
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i am trying to burn pellets in a woodburning sauna stove. If I pile a heap of pellets on a tray. Is it best to layer the gel in the middle and top or is just shooting gel on top enough to get a good burn?

I tried a small pile of pellets on a tray ouitside in the open and used some gel just on top. It burnded, but kinda sluggishly.

Maybe will do better in a stove once I get it put together?

Thanks!
 
Never was a big fan of the gel. I've used every pellet starter under the sun. This year will try a propane torch.
 
Pellets are intended to burn with a forced draft, as in a pellet stove. I don't think they'll burn well heaped in a pile.
 
I had to light manually a few times before I replaced the ignitor.
I used hand gel as we had some at the house.
I put a fair amount on the pellets and spread it around.
I found that if I shut the door all the way, the full draft put the fire out.
I ended up using the door as an adjustable draft until I had a good flame.
 
heat seeker said:
Pellets are intended to burn with a forced draft, as in a pellet stove. I don't think they'll burn well heaped in a pile.

I dunno, they must sell these for a reason: http://www.thepelleteer.com/

Several companies make them
 
lessoil said:
I had to light manually a few times before I replaced the ignitor.
I used hand gel as we had some at the house.
I put a fair amount on the pellets and spread it around.
I found that if I shut the door all the way, the full draft put the fire out.
I ended up using the door as an adjustable draft until I had a good flame.


Exact same thing here. I believe the gel says to put some under the pellets.
 
76brian said:
heat seeker said:
Pellets are intended to burn with a forced draft, as in a pellet stove. I don't think they'll burn well heaped in a pile.

I dunno, they must sell these for a reason: http://www.thepelleteer.com/

Several companies make them

Interesting! I never heard of them.
 
I fill egg carton cups with sawdust and paraffin wax. I light my home made starter and start the stove. They work every time and leave no residue.

Be sure to melt the wax in a double boiler, or in a can held in boiling water, paraffin wax is very flammable when it is melted and you don't want to over heat it.

Dave
 
A friend of mine uses cotton balls with Vaseline on them, swears by them.
 
I used to buy the "Jello" stuff from the manufacture in a 5 gallon pail and refill the little squirt jugs.

TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Bloody much trouble.

Now I just pop the start button to get the draft fan running, then stuff the propane torch into a little pile of shells or pellets and it's Off to the Rodeo.

I can get a really nice fire up and going in either of our whits in about 2 minutes, from the time I press the start button until I close the door after torching the thing.

A Fat little bottle of propane will last a couple seasons of lighting the stoves.

Snowy
 
lessoil said:
I had to light manually a few times before I replaced the ignitor.
I used hand gel as we had some at the house.
I put a fair amount on the pellets and spread it around.
I found that if I shut the door all the way, the full draft put the fire out.
I ended up using the door as an adjustable draft until I had a good flame.
when i lost power for the week i also used hand gel. it works like a charm
 
i got a case of jel for 25 bucks this fall,, works best to add some on top after squirting, but I do agree that the propnae torch works the best
 
I've got the gel & don't use it. The propane torch is the quickie and most liked.
I have some starters also make from egg cartons and mainly use them to start
fires in the pit outside.
Hmm, could be a market for using those spoiled bags of pellets after they dry and turn to sawdust.
 

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Wimp's, only use gel for 13 years, no igniter no T-stat.....Man's Stove!
 
Pellet-King said:
Wimp's, only use gel for 13 years, no igniter no T-stat.....Man's Stove!

If you still like living in the 80's? Sure, But last I knew we were in the 21st century! No?

Love my stat and auto light stove. Why have the stove running during the daytime when I get enough solar to warm my house for free? If there is no sun my stove will come on for me and the house is toasty when I get there! I gotta have all the bells and whistles! Specially for what their charging for em these days!

Yeah, I use the remote starter on my car when its really cold out, While you have to go out and start yours! Technology is a wonderful thing! Get with the program will ya! hehe ;-) jk To each his own? ;-)
 
Yeah, I use the remote starter on my car when its really cold out, While you have to go out and start yours! Technology is a wonderful thing! Get with the program will ya! hehe ;-) jk To each his own? ;-)[/quote]

I park in the climate controlled garage
where I keep my 22 tons of pellets.................
hehe
 
Yeah, I use the remote starter on my car when its really cold out, While you have to go out and start yours! Technology is a wonderful thing! Get with the program will ya! hehe ;-) jk To each his own? ;-)
ironpony said:
I park in the climate controlled garage
where I keep my 22 tons of pellets.................
hehe

Too many pellets stored to park my car(work beater) indoors. If I had your space? Car would still be out doors. The hotrod would be warm and cozy with the wood pellets though! hehe!
 
76brian said:
heat seeker said:
Pellets are intended to burn with a forced draft, as in a pellet stove. I don't think they'll burn well heaped in a pile.

I dunno, they must sell these for a reason: http://www.thepelleteer.com/

Several companies make them

I have seen these too and I have wondered if they work.

I tried burning some pellets in my patio fire ring one time and it just smoked up the whole back yard. Big mess...
 
I use the gel stuff, and I have never had problems getting my pellet stove started...i add a small handful of pellets to the pot, ads a spoonful of gel, add a pinch more of pellets on top of that bunch, and put a little more on top of that...light up, and it set..
 
I tried the gel stuff.Dripped a little on the stove base.When i wiped it off i found it to be the best paint remover out there!
 
Mapp torch with an auto ignite. It is much hotter/faster than a propane torch. and if you ever have to fix your pluming you have a torch to sweat copper pipes.
 
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