using kerosene and a bounty paper towel as a fire starter

[frattman]

Just got a Hampton insert this past year, and five cords of wood later I love it and the fact that the boiler almost never kicks on in my house. Someone on this forum private messaged me about the kerosene soaked paper towel as a great way to start the fire. He messaged me privately because he said he'd get excoriated publicly on the forum. Well, it works wonderfully, and at about 7 cents per start, is by far the cheapest thing out there. With well seasoned wood, I don't even need to leave the door partially cracked to let extra air it - it's blazing in under 3 minutes. The kerosene is stored on the opposite side of the living room in a sealed and approved one gallon container of course, and unless the entire room catches fire for some reason, it will not burn the house down on it's own. There is no giant flare ups in the fire box as gasoline might cause, and even though every owners manual states "no liquid propellants" it does not harm the stove in a dose of about an ounce once a day soaked onto that bounty paper towel. If you're skittish then don't try it, if you burn your house down don't blame me, I'm just relaying my limited experience here. Yell at me if you wish.

 

[Beer Belly]

I worked with a guy who would stand a few splits in a bucket of Kerosene.....he told me "just put a couple of inches of Kerosene in the bucket".....never tried it....I'll stick with my Duraflame starter blocks for now.....next year will be Super Cedars.

 

[Warm_in_NH]

Got diesel on my hand yesterday filling a 5 gallon container. Somehow it spread to my sweatshirt sleeve cuff (cause that's how that stuff works) got up this morning and can smell it in my living room next to the coat rack.
I'll stick to newspaper and pine scraps.

However, my outdoor fire pit lights right up w a diesel soaked rag and a match.

 

[razerface]

Yell at me if you wish.

hey,,, you there!


I use a small propane torch to start fires, or a match. I have never seen the need for any accelerant, other then paper. It is what kindling is for. I always have some kind of mess from the wood laying around. Bark and stuff,,,,but i only started 2 fires this year,,,burn 24/7

edit: i forgot to say,,,the 2nd fire,,, i did with my survival fire starter stick,,,just for practice.

 

[lindnova]

I'm sure it works fine, but is it worth it for indoors? If you spill or accidentally burn yourself. I use one sheet of newspaper crumpled and some kindling pieces I pick up after splitting. With good dry wood it gets going with door shut and damper wide open in less than 5 minutes every time. Sometimes I don't even use the newspaper if the kindling is good shredded elm or something.

 

[TimfromMA]

I push a button on the wall.

 

[Jags]

Wait till you lay one of those kero soaked towels down on a few hot coals that you are unaware of. The off gassing WILL create an explosive situation. No thanks. No kero coming in my house, not too mention that virtually ALL mfgs state not to do it. I wonder why. Your call.

 

[mass_burner]

Risk/reward wise, it stinks.

 

[SteveKG]

My grandmother had a cabin in the woods and used her big kitchen cookstove every day. She kept a coffee can with a little kerosene in it, on the floor in the corner and always had a few sticks of kindling sitting upright in it. She's grab a stick, toss it in the firebox, add some more splits and be going.

I don't use that method, just newspaper and wax-dipped pine cones, but it worked for her for 85 yr.

 

[Dakotas Dad]

I'm going to guess the 1/4 super ceder I use costs about the same, or close enough that I don't have to eat ramen in order to not risk any such method. OK, now I do know, .15 a start. Been using the same 100 box I bought 4 years ago. Just about time to reorder.

 

[begreen]

Bad idea and explicitly warned against in most stove manuals for good reason. Closing post, it is not helping anyone. What one does in one's own home is their business but don't come here asking for company. Fire starting is easy with dry wood and good kindling. There is no reason for a risky shortcut.

PS: Just in case you missed this, read the manual again.

Never use gasoline, gasoline type lantern
fuels, kerosene, charcoal lighter fuel, or
similar liquids to start or ‘freshen up’ a fire
in your heater. Keep all such liquids well
away from the heater while it is in use.