I tried the "top-down" method about 3 weeks ago and I was less then impressed. I took my time setting it up and it never really took off like I wanted it to and took forever to heat up. Fast-forward to yesterday and I gave it another shot. I got home from work and I had my 8 year-old triplets and my 5 year old (all boys), pulling me in 4,000 different directions. I wanted to start a fire quick and not have to tend to it since I had no time, so I tried the top-down method again. I put 3 medium sized spilts E/W and then 2 splits in a "V" shape on top of that (I have to do the V shape because of a small firebox and they won't always fit N/S). Next I criss-crossed some kindling on top of that, put some newspaper on top of the kindling and then shoved a super cedar in the middle of it all. I just lit the fire and walked outside with the kids. After having a catch, fixing a bike and cleaning dog poop off of someone's shoe I came back in the house an hour later and the fire looked fantastic. The stove temp was at 550 and kicking out some nice heat. The best part was that I didn't have to do anything to it for an hour and 45 minutes. I know as it gets colder the top down or bottom up method won't matter much when we we are all burning 24/7, but after my expeierence yesterday I think I'm a convert.