Kindling Solution This Year

[punky chunks]

I used to split straight pieces of oak for kindling, with a hammer and cold chisel. It was precious (waste of energy). With experience, nowadays I have some (maybe 10%) small pieces mixed in for starting fires. Also kindling is less important since getting ahead and having dry wood. Maple or poplar are much better kindling than oak. I find that when it stays cold I don't need kindling, since I always have embers and fast lighting species mixed in with the oak.

 

[Toasty-Yote]

That's a good idea and wonder if one could do that with bamboo--that's suppose to be fast growing..clancey

Bamboo is terrible kindling. Will give you terrible splinters if you try to process it in any way, doesn't actually burn that well, hides moisture in it's chambers and explodes when heated. I went through a bunch of very old bamboo tomato stakes and I am glad they are gone. I burnt the last of them outside since they wouldn't decompose either. Invest in a kindling cracker and just pick out a dry piece with straight grain. Bonus points if it is pine or staghorn sumac.

 

[Pinesmoke]

I can't say I actually process kindling. I cut so much dead pine I will just cut a bunch of the 1"-1 1/2" branches. Dry they go off like matches. Part of a Super Cedar puck and a half dozen of the pine sticks and it crazy in no time.

I will pick up some of the splitter chaff if I think about it when I clean up around it.

 

[blades]

save my usefull splitter trash for kindling, toss in IBC totes, shorts and uglies go in another( several ) totes. Punk wood (acts like sponge) and diesel makes great fire starters ( not dripping wet). Run through band saw 1x1x2" or so pieces keep a coffee can full in the room stove.