From one of our Readers - note: not checked by HearthNet as a valid method
Dear foremost fire starting expert, I have been using a method for years for starting fires (both campfires and fireplace) that is much simpler than the one you describe, 99% percent effective, and safe.
It uses common cooking oil in a small paper cup or like container. I have used the bottom of soda can in a pinch. All you need to do is wad up some paper towel or some other wicking material, stuff it into the container leaving some (about 15%) of the of the wick sticking up, and then add two or three ounces of used (or new) cooking oil being careful to wet the upper part too. If using a fire grate, set the fire starter between the grates, light the starter, and then set two pieces of wood over the starter. I never use kindling and start most of my fires with quarters or halves of 4-8 inch logs. The only trick to this is setting the starter under the splitedges where the two logs above nearly touch each other and then stacking a couple of more good sized pieces on them, making sure to get them close together but not tight enough to block the air or flame. This doesn't cause the fire to suddenly (and dangerously) flare up but takes a few minutes to get going. First the logs start to smoke and then after a few minutes they start up very nicely. No blowing on the fire, no poking extra sticks in, just stand there, wait and sip your wine.
Generally, at my house it takes me about two minutes to make the oil starter and get it under some wood in the fireplace.Then by the time I get a video in, get a beer, a snack and settle down in my usual place in front of the fireplace on the rug, the fire is going pretty well.
If you want to use this method for lighting a campfire, you just set two pieces of wood in the fire pit as though they are the grates in any fireplace. I have used this method more than 200 or 300 times and can only recall once or twice that it has not worked. And I think that was because I was too cheap with the oil. It does not flare up, it uses items that would end up in the trash, most people have on hand all the time, and best of all there is no reason to mess with kindling.
I have lit many fires while camping with this method while the doubters stand by, cold beer in hand and tell me there is no way that is going to work. I always offer to wager with them ($50 maybe) but no one has ever taken me up on the bet and they have always been lucky they passed. Any way you light a wood fire is good enough if it does the job. The important part is enjoying it!!
Best regards, Pat Johnson