Super Cedars, frugality, & JIT?

[LLigetfa]

I tried searching this forum to determine when I purchased my 100ct of unwrapped Super Cedars and nearest I can tell it was in 2005. Now that's stretching them!

Anyway... like Old Mother Hubbard, I went to my cupboard to get more to fill up my hearthside storage box, and realized all I had left were crumbs in the bottom of the box.

So being both frugal and desperate, I gathered up the crumbs into a paper bag, warmed it in the microwave, and pressed it into an oversized patty that I stuck outside to freeze. I then broke it into smaller bits and have enough I hope until the USPS gets my order to me.

Thanks go out to Thomas and Lara for processing my order so quickly. Now if only the USPS tracking site would update where my order is. I think I'll be good but I did cut it kind of close.

 

[craigbaill]

I just bought 72 ct and should be here Wednesday. I have tried all sorts of fire starters and even tried making some with lint, cardboard tubes, ect. Fatwood is ok but the starters always light.

You bought 100ct in 2005??? wow, that is frugal.

 

[BrotherBart]

He is in Ontario. He has Winter, Thursday, then Winter again.

 

[English BoB]

Ive been using "starter logs", buy them in a box of 24 then cut each one down on the saw table to around 5/6 pieces each log.
They always light and with good kindling start a fire.
One box will last more than a season for me - around $10 a box from Walmart.

bob

 

[Woody Stover]

I break pucks into 6 or 8 chunks, inside a gallon freezer bag to catch the crumbs. Once I have a goodly amount of crumbs I transfer them to a smaller bag and use a little scoop to put a couple of small piles on a flat split when I load the stove, then light and put some kindling in.

around $10 a box from Walmart.

Watch it; If they aren't pure wood, chemicals might damage your combustor...

 

[LLigetfa]

You bought 100ct in 2005??? wow, that is frugal.

Ja, I know how to stretch a dollar. Thomas ain't getting on rich on me. LOL

I break them into quarters. Often there are enough coals the next day that I don't need anything more than a bit of kin'lin. Then there was that year where the wife wouldn't let me burn wood at all.

 

[BrotherBart]

Then there was that year where the wife wouldn't let me burn wood at all.

I remember the gas burning year.

 

[WarmGuy]

For frugality, I go with a dixie cup, a few TBS of the cheapest vegetable oil I can buy (big container at Costco), and a bit of paper towel. I've been using that system for 20 years.

 

[xman23]

My biggest issue is these crap stick lighters. Piles of them with fuel and none of them light. Can someone make one that works.

Thanks for putting up with my rant.

 

[mstoelton]

If you dry out orange peels they make an acceptable fire starter. It takes about 2 weeks to "season" them for fire starter duty. They are free!

 

[LLigetfa]

My biggest issue is these crap stick lighters...

Not 100% sure what stick lighters are but if you mean those butane deals, then IKWYM. The ones you get in Canada are a real PITA cuz they make em kid-proof so you require exceptional finger dexterity and strength to operate.

I have wooden matches... problem is they are past their best before date. The wife overheard me talking to a friend on the phone about how hard it was to find the "strike anywhere" kind... seems the same safety nazis that gave us kid-proof stick lighters are sticking it to us on matches too. Anyway... I digress... the wife misunderstood and picked up several boxes of them and they seem to have picked up some humidity or something. I have to either figure out how to dry them out or throw the whole lot in the stove and buy new.

I had a nice decorative box up on the mantel at one time to store the matches in and then the wife went and bought "safety" matches that you need the special strip to strike them on, but of course she threw away the box with the strip on it. Finally, I found the strike anywhere matches and then she got rid of the decorative box that was on the mantel. I tried storing the paper box of strike anywhere matches on the mantel where the heat would keep them dry but she decided to go for the uncluttered look and stores them in the kitchen where it is too humid. I read somewhere that you can dip the strike anywhere matches in hot wax and that keeps them fresh.

I will have to pick up a butane stick lighter when I am across the border or try the hot wax trick on a fresh box of strike anywhere matches.

 

[Got Wood]

I break pucks into 6 or 8 chunks, inside a gallon freezer bag to catch the crumbs. Once I have a goodly amount of crumbs I transfer them to a smaller bag and use a little scoop to put a couple of small piles on a flat split when I load the stove, then light and put some kindling in.
Watch it; If they aren't pure wood, chemicals might damage your combustor...

Me too

 

[midwestcoast]

A decade per box is IMPRESSIVE!

Very dry wood and Super Cedars are woodburner's nirvana. Kin'lin basically optional.

I agree on the stick or BBQ lighters. I've tried many a brand and style & all with similar results. Plenty of fluid left, but no more workie. Or a flame that dies after 2 seconds.
A couple months back the Wife saw I was looking for one online (continued quest to find a decent one) & bought a variety 6-pack at Costco. I said "thanks" and quietly cursed the giant pack of useless plastic. So far though the first one I've grabbed is still working. Not ready to recommend them yet though.
I haven't seen strike-anywhere matches in forever & I don't mind the safety switches. If it stops a kid somewhere from burning down their family home, I'll live with a minor inconvenience. BUT: can we get a freaking lighter that can light a fire?

 

[7acres]

For frugality, I go with a dixie cup, a few TBS of the cheapest vegetable oil I can buy (big container at Costco), and a bit of paper towel. I've been using that system for 20 years.

That's a good idea to keep in my back pocket if I need a quick cold start. However the inner boy scout in me loves putting kindling together and lighting the fire that way. It's a chore. But I enjoy turning cold starts into a good excuse to play with fire.

 

[Jags]

I have one going on six seasons. Have refilled 4 times. It does have the kid proofing, but is easy enough to work. Full disclosure - after six years it is becoming more finicky, but it has outlasted any other type I have tried to use. 6 years for a $9 lighter doesn't seem to be too bad of a deal.

 

[midwestcoast]

View attachment 155667

I tried one of these a few years back. Thought it looked perfect, but it lasted about half a season. Maybe I just got a bad one

 

[Jags]

I tried one of these a few years back. Thought it looked perfect, but it lasted about half a season. Maybe I just got a bad one

There very well may be a wide range of quality control. Maybe I just got a good one??

 

[7acres]

There very well may be a wide range of quality control. Maybe I just got a good one??

I worked at Rubbermaid (who owns Bernzomatic) back in 2005 when they put out this product. I received one before they were on the market as part of company conference swag given out to the attendees. Mine crapped out after a couple months.

 

[Jags]

I worked at Rubbermaid (who owns Bernzomatic) back in 2005 when they put out this product. I received one before they were on the market as part of company conference swag given out to the attendees. Mine crapped out after a couple months.

I don't doubt your experience. Its kinda weird though. Mine has been used so much that I have wore the color off of the sides of the lighter. Thats a lot of picking up and putting down.

 

[7acres]

I don't doubt your experience. Its kinda weird though. Mine has been used so much that I have wore the color off of the sides of the lighter. Thats a lot of picking up and putting down.

I troubleshot it and the issue was the electrical connection to the piezoelectric spark generator on the trigger end. I fixed that and it started working again. Then it quit. This time the issue was electrical connection related on the nozzle end. I attempted to fix that and it never went back together because of how it's built. Sadly I had to toss it. It was a great concept. Seems like you got a good one. Glad to hear it's been a trusty lighter for you.

 

[Hickorynut]

View attachment 155667

I have one going on six seasons. Have refilled 4 times. It does have the kid proofing, but is easy enough to work. Full disclosure - after six years it is becoming more finicky, but it has outlasted any other type I have tried to use. 6 years for a $9 lighter doesn't seem to be too bad of a deal.

I thought these would be the answer too, some lasted most of the season, while others only a couple of months. I have now gone to the propane torch with the push button ignitor and will never look back. Even my timid unhandy wife is slowly getting used to it......

 

[sportbikerider78]

I have 2 of these torch lighters and they both have worked well for the past 3-4 years. They don't like super cold, but no lighters do.

http://www.dx.com/p/compact-1300-c-butane-jet-lighter-4179#.VQLyDvzF-So

 

[midwestcoast]

I have 2 of these torch lighters and they both have worked well for the past 3-4 years. They don't like super cold, but no lighters do.

http://www.dx.com/p/compact-1300-c-butane-jet-lighter-4179#.VQLyDvzF-So

Kinda looks like I could pull the pin, toss it in & take cover!

 

[Jags]

Kinda looks like I could pull the pin, toss it in & take cover!

Those were originally designed for cigar smokers. The torch like flame was superior for "toasting the foot". Me likey a good gar.

 

[sportbikerider78]

They work great on everything. I use it for electrical connection soldering and for shrinking shrink tubing.

They do work well on cigars...but you should always use a fine wood match for a cigar.