Methods Of Starting Our Fires

[Frankdozer]

As I was relighting my Grandma stove this morning I thought about the different ways I started this stove and many others over the years and the method I now do every morning.
So my question is:
What is the process you use to lite your stove?

 

[Frankdozer]

#1

#2

#3
When my grandchildren visit me, to keep them busy I have them gather pinecones. Then it’s off to get strawberry sundaes !!
I have a 3’ x 3’ x 3’ box filled for the winter.

 

[Frankdozer]

and I have to say Don’t use too many pinecones because they ignite like they were doused in kerosene

 

[bholler]

I typically only start 4 or 5 fires a year so I never really give it much thought. A little cardboard a a 2x4 split down with splits ontop.

 

[Frankdozer]

That’s too bad. We understand why, I know lots of people that do not use them too often. Cutting, splitting, hauling, dusty, going to work etc..... it’s a lot of work and none of us are getting any younger. I use my stove as my primary source of heat. My oil furnace is my backup. I go thru approximately 5 cord a year. If use only the furnace we feel cold. With the wood stove it is nice and comfortable. After a heavy day of snowmobiling and ice fishing it is great to feel the heat.

 

[bholler]

That’s too bad. We understand why, I know lots of people that do not use them too often. Cutting, splitting, hauling, dusty, going to work etc..... it’s a lot of work and none of us are getting any younger. I use my stove as my primary source of heat. My oil furnace is my backup. I go thru approximately 5 cord a year. If use only the furnace we feel cold. With the wood stove it is nice and comfortable. After a heavy day of snowmobiling and ice fishing it is great to feel the heat.

Mine is my primary heat source as well. But the only time I have to start a fire is when we are gone for more than day. Anything less than that I just rake coals and load it up

 

[Frankdozer]

gotcha !!

 

[JaroMato]

I have recently started lighting the fire/kindling ontop of the wood instead of below it. It creates less smoke upon start up. I am still coming up with a method which works really well for me.
some times the fire on top only works ok and the wood underneath smokes because the fire has gone out.

trying to get the transition from kindling to larger sized wood sometimes slows the fire considerably.

Its a work in progress.

Kind of a hard photo to see

 

[Zombie]

I do a pretty fair amount of wood working, so I usually have plenty of scraps from that (I don't use plywood scraps). If I run low or out of that, the kids (and dogs) gather sticks up to about 2 or 3 inches. I also use pieces of bark and splinters resulting from spliting. I kinda just sprinkle it in around the spilts and light it off with a map gas torch.