Sharing (firestarters) - the Right Thing To Do

[Martin Strand III]

Yes, we've posted the "ordinary" stuff we use to ignite our splits, including

* Cardboard (plain, oil, grease or wax impregnated)
* Sawdust 'cookies' (wax binder)
* Rolled newspaper 'logs'
* Pine cones
* Paper under very small splits
* Faggots (twined twigs, really)
* Commercial (wax cakes & log pieces, pine splits, $$ :-

Well, to date I have not seen or heard of using

* Dried citrus rinds.

Tried multiple times, the remaining oil in the dried rind easily lights, using a simple match, and burns with vigor and bling to easily start a stack of dry hardwood 3" - 5" splits.

They're "green", help eliminate waste and inexpensive especially if you grow your own oranges, lemons, limes or grapefruit. On the downside, it may detract from your compost if you're into that...

Oh, the banana peels work too but I have them saved for something else.

Aye,
Marty

 

[lexybird]

interesting find ,i would have never thought they would be suitable for that use personaly the best thing i have found is the firestarter log 24packs for 10 bucks often just a quarter of one bar will get the most stubborn logs/draft to light.yours looks like a good option for those environmnetaly conscience people ,the only time i go green is when i stop at the bank to cash my paycheck

 

[Martin Strand III]

... i have found is the firestarter log 24packs for 10 bucks ...the only time i go green is when i stop at the bank to cash my paycheck

I did mention "* Commercial (wax cakes & log pieces, pine splits, $$ :-" - for those who don't mind throwing $$ away.

Aye,
Marty
Grandma used to say, "Those who aren't thirsty won't drink."

 

[myzamboni]

interesting find ,i would have never thought they would be suitable for that use personaly the best thing i have found is the firestarter log 24packs for 10 bucks often just a quarter of one bar will get the most stubborn logs/draft to light.yours looks like a good option for those environmnetaly conscience people ,the only time i go green is when i stop at the bank to cash my paycheck

I get 8 starts off of each of those firestarters. Just chop in half lengthwise and then quarter the 'sticks'

I got ~$30 worth for free from a coworker who put in a gas insert :roll:

 

[21acrewoods]

What a good way to elimonate waste.
Did you know that if you peel an orange then take the rind and squeeze it over a burning lighter you will get a nice display of fireworks?

 

[BrotherBart]

I don't find the method apeeling.

My Grandma said: "Throw orange peels in my stove and I will smack ya!"

 

[21acrewoods]

Interesting.
What was her reason for not wanting peels in her stove??

 

[EddyKilowatt]

Hmmm, think I'll give this a try, just for grins... we squeeze oranges daily for juice so we have a decent supply.

Given that citrus tolerate only light frost, or none at all, I suspect that the overlap between "people with citrus trees" and "people with woodstoves" will be limited to a few percent of iconoclasts like me, MyZamboni, etc. (It'll just make us a little less jealous not to live where oak and hickory grow right outside the back door.)

BTW I doubt your compost pile will miss the citrus peels; due to their natural biocides they're frowned upon anyway, especially if you have a worm bin.

 

[Martin Strand III]

... I suspect that the overlap between "people with citrus trees" and "people with woodstoves" will be limited to a few percent of iconoclasts like me...

I live in the snow belt. I've grown Meyer Lemons inside for years. But then, maybe I'm the only one... And yet, you're right. Most citrus rinds I dry come from the citrus I buy.

Aye,
Marty

 

[kenny chaos]

What a good way to elimonate waste.
Did you know that if you peel an orange then take the rind and squeeze it over a burning lighter you will get a nice display of fireworks?

Squirt it at a cat's nose to keep it from always rubbing on you.