DIY FIRE STARTER

[blackhardt]

I split mostly sweetgum and as most people know it's very twisted and stringy when split. I keep a large box under the spliter and catch all the twisted trash that comes off. When the box is full I take an old dog food bag and fill it up, let it dry and makes the best kindlin short of fat wood. And it really doesn't take long for it to dry out.

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

I kinda cheat... I use some charcoal in my smoker that I cook several times a month in. Put the cubes in a chimney starter put that on the side burner of my grill turn it on for about 3-4 mins. Wait until the smoke clears then add to my firebox, add my fruit/hickory/oak wood as needed and I'm smoking in about 20-25 mins. That propane burner is perfect for this.

 

[newbury]

My preferred fire starter.

 

[2515R Dude]

View attachment 2179577
My preferred fire starter.

Same here, cheap, easy, always available, does not require any prep, no bad smell... you can add more

 

[MF RED in MT]

I've just purchased my fire starter for about the last 5 years since old newspapers has disappeared near me.

I stack about 4 pieces of my split kindling wood (about 1/2" x 1/2" x 18" long), then add 1 straw turd (GreenSpark), and then add about 4 pieces of "fatwood", and light with an electric match.

I usually purchase 50 pounds of Fatwood and 3 boxes of GreenSpark each summer of fall just before winter.

Here's a link to each:

KC

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FPQVLFH?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

Amazon.com

 

[5030]

View attachment 2179577
My preferred fire starter.

Mine as well and/or one of those new style butane torch lighters. Carry it in your pocket and will start a fire almost every time.

When I get one going, I'll use my Harbor Freight Bauer 20 volt Li-Ion blower to get it up to 'speed' real quick like... Amazing how that 200 mph blast of concentrated air promotes rapid combustion, plus you can spot direct the air exactly where it's needed.

I may add some used motor oil to the fire just to get rid of it but I don't use an accelerant to start it other than the above.

 

[5030]

I've just purchased my fire starter for about the last 5 years since old newspapers has disappeared near me.

I stack about 4 pieces of my split kindling wood (about 1/2" x 1/2" x 18" long), then add 1 straw turd (GreenSpark), and then add about 4 pieces of "fatwood", and light with an electric match.

I usually purchase 50 pounds of Fatwood and 3 boxes of GreenSpark each summer of fall just before winter.

Here's a link to each:

KC

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FPQVLFH?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

Amazon.com

Propane torch or torch lighter is much less expensive and have other uses as well...

 

[HawkinsHollow]

I am a school teacher. To start my wood stove I use old worksheets and some dry kindling, leave the door cracked for 10 minutes instant fire. If I am making an outdoor fire at home or on the property I always have a mix of drain oil and old diesel in a 1 gallon jug. I use the propane torch trick if I am out.

I am going need to make some of those sawdust and candle wax starters for camping. Lord knows I have enough, the mill makes 5 gallon in about 3 or 4 cuts of a 10' log.

 

[5030]

When we go 'camping' the wife turns on the propane stove and cooks the meal or uses the oven to bake stuff. I like to rough it in comfort.

 

[gsganzer]

 

[JasperFrank]

View attachment 779303

Interesting. I seen many of these, and was always told they were used to heat water.

 

[not2old]

I only use a fire out doors to burn yard waste. I'm lazy and don't have much patients. I use a tiger torch and a leaf blower.

 

[CalG]

I only use a fire out doors to burn yard waste. I'm lazy and don't have much patients. I use a tiger torch and a leaf blower.

I've heated with wood burning stove for more than 30 years.
Just put in a pellet stove to take the chill off the basement. It runs for 10 hours easily without attention.

In winter, I don't require much "fire starter", as the stove burns bright 24/7. It's the "taint" season that goes through the splinters and birch bark. That, I have boxes and bags 5 years old.

eta
for burning brush, there is nothing better than a pint of fuel oil and an old tire. Add the leaf blower if you have one handi. ;-)

Around the house, I would go for wax type , but buying wax is spendy

 

[drajj5]

By far for wood stove..... Have you left for work; wood-stove filled to capacity and dampers set. Then, came home to not one ember left to get you going? Fear not- hand full of chip(s) and a lighter will cure all that ales you!!

 

[HawkinsHollow]

By far for wood stove..... Have you left for work; wood-stove filled to capacity and dampers set. Then, came home to not one ember left to get you going? Fear not- hand full of chip(s) and a lighter will cure all that ales you!!

I have tried that for $h!ts and giggles one time. Chips do indeed make excellent fire starters.

 

[BnRidge]

I do the egg carton with sawdust and candle wax. I have never tried pinecones; do you treat them with anything or just light them? I will have to try them sometime.

I got lazy once and skipped the sawdust. Found out they work just as well. Just wax and paper cartons.

 

[EddieWalker]

My 84 year old Mom is my favorite fire starter. The woman has a passion for getting a burn pile going, and staying with it all day while it burns. Once it burns down enough to get close to it, she will walk around it and pick up anything that can burn, and add it to the fire.

This was yesterday. She brought the Mule out with some boxes and a bottle of Lighter Fluid used for starting a grill. I sat in the tractor and listened to my radio while she worked. She like me to be there in case something gets out of control, and to push it all together once it burns down. My job is done in an hour or two, she stayed with it until dark, and when it was barely smoking. We had a lot of rain this week, and the grass is soaking wet with a lot of standing water. It was the perfect day to burn!!!

 

[HawkinsHollow]

My 84 year old Mom is my favorite fire starter. The woman has a passion for getting a burn pile going, and staying with it all day while it burns. Once it burns down enough to get close to it, she will walk around it and pick up anything that can burn, and add it to the fire.

This was yesterday. She brought the Mule out with some boxes and a bottle of Lighter Fluid used for starting a grill. I sat in the tractor and listened to my radio while she worked. She like me to be there in case something gets out of control, and to push it all together once it burns down. My job is done in an hour or two, she stayed with it until dark, and when it was barely smoking. We had a lot of rain this week, and the grass is soaking wet with a lot of standing water. It was the perfect day to burn!!!

View attachment 2179745

That is ASWESOME!! Moms do a lot of handy things, that would not be one I would expect.

 

[Rockbadchild]

I never use anything special it doesn't take me much to start a fire because I take my time for the preparation, I use a little bit of paper birch bark, news paper, and or cardboard... Also I used soft wood to start it which starts faster then hardwood. Not to say I never used old motor oil in some condition but it is very rare I do, it's more to dispose of it then the need to do so but it speeds things up ... when I burn a big burn pile I bring a dry log or two and I make a fire in the middle of it and keep adding to it until it spread.