Super cedar options

[mar13]

I'm thinking of getting a bulk order of super cedars which should last me for several years, at least.

Opinions on wrapped vs. Unwrapped? Unwrapped avoids waste and saves a few pennies. Wrapped, perhaps saves some mess.

I'm unsure if the firm option is still available. Opinions if there is a choice? (I'll email them and forward their reply. They are great at getting back to folks.)

Here's an old thread where they mentioned the firm option. https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/super-cedar-question.152967/post-2055882

 

[moresnow]

I've had a few boxes. Usually the smaller quantities. 2 winters back my wife accidently ordered a large box. I laughed when they arrived. Still have 2/3 rds of them. They are firm and wrapped. Not sure if they were advertised as firm or not? I prefer the wrapped to beep the crumbles contained. I only use a 1/4 of a puck when needed.

 

[Woody Stover]

I'm thinking of getting a bulk order of super cedars which should last me for several years, at least....Unwrapped avoids waste.

I'm onboard with everything you've said so far.

I'm unsure if the firm option is still available.

I've never specified "firm," but the batch I got recently are pretty firm, so maybe he just went back to adding more paraffin to his batches.
I really don't care too much if they are a bit crumbly; I bust them over a piece of newspaper, then put the chunks and dust into a gallon freezer bag. I have a small plastic scoop in there, and when the chunks are mostly used, I'll scoop out the dust and put a pile or two on a flat split to start fires. I also have thin Pine kindling, and some Fatwood that I recently found stashed away.
I let the clinkers build up in the box so that I have something to nestle the SC chunks down into, so they don't get smothered when I add the Pine/Fatwood.
I bust one SC puck into six or seven pieces, then use one or two pieces per start.

 

[paredown]

I have an old square cookie tin in my stove gear box--it holds about a dozen super cedars. I break them into quarters over the metal lid, and every so often, I'll toss the crumbs into the fire. I like the wrapped ones fine--I score them to remove the plastic.

I've been buying the large boxes--usually fall or spring when they are on sale. Last box I ordered from Amazon since we have Prime, and I missed the sale.

Best fire-starter out there IMO.

 

[Ctwoodtick]

I get the 72 box unwrapped. They are actually a pain to unwrap as well. No plastic waste either.

 

[Jags]

I get the 100 count unwrapped. I don’t like dealing with the plastic wrap. The box stays in the garage while a couple of the pucks follow me into the house and are located in a large zip top bag for immediate use. I break them into chunks (4 - 6) in the bag so there is no mess to deal with. The pixie dust that collects in the bag gets used to re-fire a weak coal bed for a relight.

 

[SteveKG]

I have the unwrapped, the big box, I seem to recall that's a hundred count. I might have to order some more if they've added a bit more paraffin now. First boxes bought, back when, were the firmer pucks and much less mess.

 

[Woody Stover]

I have the unwrapped, the big box, I seem to recall that's a hundred count. I might have to order some more if they've added a bit more paraffin now. First boxes bought, back when, were the firmer pucks and much less mess.

Same here; Last box I got was more like the first, firmer. Looking at his website, the unwrapped comes in 72- or 100-count. 100 is the better deal by quite a bit, and they sometimes run a 40%-off special. I bet Thomas would gladly clarify about the firmness if you emailed him..
I avoid consuming plastic whenever possible; I wouldn't want one of my SuperCedar wrappers to end up in a plastic island in the ocean, giving us wood-burners a bad name.

 

[mar13]

Same here; Last box I got was more like the first, firmer. Looking at his website, the unwrapped comes in 72- or 100-count. 100 is the better deal by quite a bit, and they sometimes run a 40%-off special. I bet Thomas would gladly clarify about the firmness if you emailed him..
I avoid consuming plastic whenever possible; I wouldn't want one of my SuperCedar wrappers to end up in a plastic island in the ocean, giving us wood-burners a bad name.

I put an email into them. If they don't post directly here, I'll relay their response for those of you (or future readers) who may care.

 

[mar13]

You have to love their speediness to reply, especially considering it's a weekend. Here is their answer:

"Firm is our regular pressure which is difficult for elderly to break with their hands. They often ask for soft.
I recommend ordering without specifying and you will get firm."

 

[Woody Stover]

"Firm is our regular pressure which is difficult for elderly to break with their hands."

When they sent me the soft ones I guess Google was spying on me again, and told them I was an old goat.

 

[Easy Livin’ 3000]

I wonder why they don't just make them smaller so they don't have be broken. If smaller round molds are impractical, then small squares. At least make small ones an option. Thses ponderings about how to deal with wax and sawdust are silly. Time to improve the product.

 

[SpaceBus]

I wonder why they don't just make them smaller so they don't have be broken. If smaller round molds are impractical, then small squares. At least make small ones an option. Thses ponderings about how to deal with wax and sawdust are silly. Time to improve the product.

I use a product called "Fire Liters" that come in a rectangle scored four times. Each little block burns for like 12 minutes or so, usually enough to get splits to light. I'm sure the super cedars are great, but these don't crumble or anything and I get them from the local hardware store.

 

[Easy Livin’ 3000]

I use a product called "Fire Liters" that come in a rectangle scored four times. Each little block burns for like 12 minutes or so, usually enough to get splits to light. I'm sure the super cedars are great, but these don't crumble or anything and I get them from the local hardware store.

That's what I'm talking about, SB!

If I ever run out of white birch bark, which I never will, I have about 30 lbs of wax and unlimited sawdust, and I'll just use some old ice cube trays, filled about 1/3 up, to make some Super Easy 3000 fire starters. No messy crumbs or hard to break pucks for me, thank you!

 

[SpaceBus]

That's what I'm talking about, SB!

If I ever run out of white birch bark, which I never will, I have about 30 lbs of wax and unlimited sawdust, and I'll just use some old ice cube trays, filled about 1/3 up, to make some Super Easy 3000 fire starters. No messy crumbs or hard to break pucks for me, thank you!

I too have a bag of various waxes I'm saving. Birch bark crumbles should make a great addition. Usually a bunch will inevitably fall on the floor when loading the stove or putting the bark in as a starter. The fire liters are most useful in the cookstove since they don't smoke and quickly establish drsft. If the stove back drafts I smell cedar instead of burnt barbecue birch bark. Birch is definitely my preferred method of reviving coals.

 

[Grizzerbear]

I wonder why they don't just make them smaller so they don't have be broken. If smaller round molds are impractical, then small squares. At least make small ones an option. Thses ponderings about how to deal with wax and sawdust are silly. Time to improve the product.

I agree. Although chunking a puck with a knife isn't that big of a deal....it would be nice to buy them at that size already.

I've never specified "firm," but the batch I got recently are pretty firm, so maybe he just went back to adding more paraffin to his batches.
I really don't care too much if they are a bit crumbly; I bust them over a piece of newspaper, then put the chunks and dust into a gallon freezer bag. I have a small plastic scoop in there, and when the chunks are mostly used, I'll scoop out the dust and put a pile or two on a flat split to start fires. I also have thin Pine kindling, and some Fatwood that I recently found stashed away.
I let the clinkers build up in the box so that I have something to nestle the SC chunks down into, so they don't get smothered when I add the Pine/Fatwood.
I bust one SC puck into six or seven pieces, then use one or two pieces per start.

I have the same routine. That leftover dust is like a bonus fire starter.

 

[Woody Stover]

I use a product called "Fire Liters" that come in a rectangle scored four times. Each little block burns for like 12 minutes or so, usually enough to get splits to light.

These? I like those, too. I cleave them with a knife in half the flat way, so I end up with with two squares of the same size, but half as thick. Then I fold 'em in half, making a little "pup-tent affair," to quote FZ. I don't need a whole one to light the Pine kindling I have..

 

[mar13]

I use a product called "Fire Liters" that come in a rectangle scored four times. Each little block burns for like 12 minutes or so, usually enough to get splits to light. I'm sure the super cedars are great, but these don't crumble or anything and I get them from the local hardware store.

Actually, I considered these first, even taking a picture so I could remember what to compare with SC. Less expensive per fire than 1/4 of a SC and can buy locally, but the loyalty, SC customer service,and word on this forum has me considering SC and wondering if there's a practical difference. (Not trying to start the debate that occurs every few years over this, there are old forum posts for that.) I have some SC to test try, but only some leftover Rutlands to which compare. Over the long run, a few pennies in cost per fire isn't life changing. (Still, I think too hard about this!) If pennies were all that mattered, I'd stick with newspaper, but I'm getting tired of that.

 

[SpaceBus]

These? I like those, too. I cleave them with a knife in half the flat way, so I end up with with two squares of the same size, but half as thick. Then I fold 'em in half, making a little "pup-tent affair," to quote FZ. I don't need a whole one to light the Pine kindling I have..
View attachment 257500

This season I am using these:

I get the 192 pack for less than $20 locally. This winter we have loads of 1x pine material left over from siding that I use to start fires in the cookstove. Usually a "lite" (on segment) will get a pile of splits going with out kindling.