Fatwood?

[BlackGreyhounds]

So, I won a 12# bag of fatwood sticks from my local shop. I had the opportunity to try them out the other day when I fired up my stove when it was cold and rainy. I noticed that they burn great but generate some really thick black smoke. Would I be better off with just news print paper for starting fires? Any ideas?

 

[begreen]

Yes, it is a black oily smoke. Smok'em if ya got em.

 

[Wood Duck]

I use fatwood sometimes and like it. I have also used commercial fire starters, and some of them are great and don't generate much smoke.

 

[BlackGreyhounds]

I guess I can't wait til next winter when I can burn 24/7 from coals. (?)

 

[Woody Stover]

I have also used commercial fire starters

These Meecos are good, wax and paper, and you can split 'em apart further if you want:

 

[HisTreeNut]

Prior to getting the wood stove and using a regular fireplace, I would just get a wax covered produce box from the grocery store. I would cut it into thin strips and use one or two to start the fire. My wife thought I was lazy and would always start the fire with a piece of paper and kindling (She likes to rub it in that she can start fires with about nothing ) The boxes also work great for campfires.
My in-laws wanted to buy us fatwood, I couldn't get last the price of the stuff. Bu if you got 'em, burn 'em.

 

[Grisu]

Dry pine and starting a fire from either a cold stove (with some newspaper) or a few coals is a breeze. I have also tried Supercedars and think that they are a great product. Still, with the pine I have starting a fire is so easy I cannot justify spending money on something I already have in the house.

 

[Seanm]

I use fatwood and think they are great. Ive had a few sticks that from time to time didnt want to catch but thats ok. I find many of them are to thick so I split them to make them last longer. I start almost every fire with pine in a top down scenario and still use fatwood. Once winter rolls around the fatwood stays in the box until shoulder season. I haven't used paper in three years but that's just personal preference.