In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

Homemade fire starters...on the cheap.

Discussion in 'Everything Else (off topic)' started by TurboDiesel, Aug 10, 2019.

  1. TurboDiesel

    TurboDiesel

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    Do you have a source of wood shavings/chips?
    I think you'll get much longer burn times.
    (And no confetti)
    (Wood dust off of a table saw is too fine)
     
  2. yooperdave

    yooperdave

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    When I sold eggs back in the 60's (yeah, thats right!) the customers would save the cartons for me. I don't think I ever had to get replacements.
    Maybe you could ask your "regular" customers to save the cartons if they're the carboard ones?

    Just thought I'd offer it up. No matter either way. Dixie needs sales too, right? :handshake:
     
  3. eatonpcat

    eatonpcat

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    They had chickens back then???
     
  4. yooperdave

    yooperdave

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    Kind of what I was thinking once I posted that! :D

    You had to watch out for them as you collected the eggs.......

    [​IMG]
     
  5. FreedomFamilyFarms

    FreedomFamilyFarms

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    I agree, chips would be much better. I’ll save some when I’m cutting firewood for sure. I have lots of paper hence trying that first. The shredder I’m using makes nice little shreds so I’m also trying them as chicken bedding.
     
  6. FreedomFamilyFarms

    FreedomFamilyFarms

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    No customers, just family and friends who use what we can’t eat. Mostly foam cartons around here these days.
     
  7. TurboDiesel

    TurboDiesel

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    Can always mix the wood and paper.
     
  8. Warner

    Warner

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    FEE01FB8-F9D2-4BF1-9BC5-67C6A27C41D7.jpeg 3F5C276D-DBCA-4112-8E2A-A78D4DDD9C2C.jpeg Made some up today. The boss isn’t happy the combination of candle scents is pretty terrible. I was told to do it in the garage next time! Lol, gladly.
     
  9. Eric VW

    Eric VW Moderator

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    I guess the green tint is from the smorgasbord of melted wax scents? Otherwise it looks like you’ve made a bunch of fresh grass clipping fire starters.
    :rofl: :lol:
     
  10. Warner

    Warner

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    Yeah, I use candle butts. This batch isn’t very pleasant.
     
  11. BrianK

    BrianK

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    My friend who’s workshop we’re heating with a big Home Depot Chinese knock off wood stove FE188172-0259-4077-A56C-5E27388CBA9E.jpeg is from San Diego and never heated with wood. So he’s going through my previous batch of fire starters much quicker than anticipated. (He’s using two of them every time he starts a fire!)

    So it’s time to make more.

    I found that fine sawdust from our table saw is more difficult to light than course sawdust from our planer, so I’m using 3/4 course and 1/4 fine sawdust for this batch, with 200 three ounce generic “Dixie“ type cups.

    I’m using a 10lb block of candle wax from Hobby Lobby ($14 with their online 40% discount) and melting it on an old sailboat alcohol stove. A7904839-76E1-4076-AB49-5EE9E46B8E11.jpeg

    Frankly I just use an eighth of a Supercedar puck to start fires in my mini wood stove.
     
    Last edited: Feb 27, 2021
  12. yooperdave

    yooperdave

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    Huh! Now there's one for the books.....I guess you learn something everyday! Butt then, it would explain the bad smell. :rofl: :lol::rofl: :lol::rofl: :lol::rofl: :lol::rofl: :lol:

    [​IMG]
     
  13. Chvymn99

    Chvymn99 Moderator

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    When I first looked I thought it was Broccoli.... :binoculars:... Figured thats why it smelt so bad....
     
  14. Warner

    Warner

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    36E7DB0B-3F34-46EF-85DA-D04D475AC423.jpeg Made up this years batch.
     
  15. ReelFaster

    ReelFaster

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    Nice job Warner!! Digging through the wifes candle stash today see if I can dig something up. Have a pot she gave me just for making them hanging up in garage. They really worked out well last year!
     
  16. Eric VW

    Eric VW Moderator

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    A garage sale crockpot is the real cats azz for melting safely… think on it Chuck. :yes:
     
  17. buZZsaw BRAD

    buZZsaw BRAD

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    Hindsight is always 20/20 right Dave?
     
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  18. yooperdave

    yooperdave

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    :yes:

    :handshake:
     
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  19. Warner

    Warner

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    Be careful with the pot directly on the heat source!

    and mixing candle scents the combos arnt always great.
     
  20. tree killer

    tree killer

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    I just grab the one out of the hutch, wash it and cook a roast in it the next day. All good.