Best Way to Start E/W Fire

What methods have you found to work well when starting in an E/W stove?

I saw some people chop some splits in half and load those N/S to create a criss-cross for the top-down. That sounds like a good idea, but a bit labor intensive. So, is there a better, or similarly effective, way?

I'll be lighting my first real fire tonight. The break-in fire happened last night and things went relatively well.

Thanks.

Lou

Oh yeah, thanks Pen! I've seen that video, but for some reason my brain told me they constructed a crisscross top-down. If it works for them, it oughta work for me.

I'll try the Canadian method tonight.

Is there a thread where you describe your modified method? Or is it irrelevant due to my E/W constraints?

Interesting. I'll give that a try too. I like the experimentation associated with all this.

I place 2 peaces of kindling N/S then a few splits on top E/W.

I do the same on reloads but with out a fire starter.

Thanks. Do you put the fire starter on top or underneath?

Underneath i know it is not top down and it smokes some but it is what works for me.

Yeah, whatever works best. I'm not committed to top-down, or any method. I like the low smoke emission aspect of the top-down for sure, but like you said, what works best for you.

.

This

Here is how I do it and the fire starts right up every time.

(2) Logs on Bottom North South Close Placed 3-4 Inches Apart
(2) Logs on Top East and West Close Together (2"s of Space)
(2) 1/4 Pieces of Super Cedar in Between the East and West and Underneath the North South

Light Supercedar and leave door cracked with Air on Full, Secondary Open and Dampers Open.
Close door 10 Minutes later or as soon as the fire is raging.

After fire gets going set Air at normal position (almost closed).
Close Stove's Damper
Close Side Door Vent

If Fire is going strong enough still partially-to full close stove pipe damper.

Should = Long Hot Burn

I also use the Canadian approach, modified to use a Super Cedar instead of paper, and find that it works very well.

http://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/rake-coals-forward-and-stove-start-up-pictures.80659/

Sometimes I think this whole fire starting thing gets overcomplicated.......crumple up 6 or 7 pieces of newspaper, put small kindling on top of it, some slightly larger pieces on that, light the paper and add larger pieces once that kindling gets going well.

As my wife often tells me, don't over think it......

Good luck.

I place two small splits NS, two more EW with the super cedar in between the EW splits. Light super cedar then place two more NS splits right above it. It catches quick and the secondaires light off faster.

I tried the tunnel of love method thought too, the other half likes that one because its easy on her and requires no splitting

LOL - sounds like your wife and my wife could probably share a few laughs at our expense. I'm good at turning molehills into mountains

This is what I do, start out with a good pile of 1-2" kindling and a fire starter. Burn it hot to get your chimney and draft going, continue burning til you have a good coal bed, rake it forward and fill the stove as desired. I feel there is no need to start out with any splits at the beginning, a good pile of kindling will get things going and then you have a nice established coal bed to reload upon.