Homemade fire starters...on the cheap.

Fire starter day, Got the melting pot going.

 

In regards to fire starters.... I've used pinecones before, and I know others on here have stated the same. I've only used loblolly pine though. This year, the one white pine that's left has dropped a bunch of cones. These have some white sap on them, looks like they've been slightly sprayed/glazed with icing. Any problem using these as firestarters/helpers, in a cat Absolute Steel? They're in the shed drying more before I'd used them. I figure if I use 1 or 2 cones to help start a load (or half load), that's really not that much sap (if it hasn't fully dried by then).

Thoughts from the pros?

 

I've used them (but not in a cat stove) with absolutely no problems.

Are those cat stoves actually that finicky?

 

I don't know, only ran stove about half last season. And this is my first stove.

Good point. Guess the amount in 2 cones would gunk anything else up /cause problems....? Not like a load of green/sappy wood over and over...

 

Someone here said not to burn fat wood in a cat stove. When I asked why they said “because so and so said so”. So there’s that.

 

Well, So and So is very famous, don't cha know

 

I made a batch of these. They burn a long time. I need to get a cheap crock pot from good will to make the process more efficient. I already have two dedicated muffin tins and the wrappers.

 

I'd think that it may depend on the design of the stove somewhat...on some stoves the cat is kinda tucked back outta the way when bypassed, on some its not directly in the pathway (hence bypassed) but its still right there in the mix with the smoke rolling around...might not apply to pine sap, but I know for things like burning treated wood, they say that'll still get 'em in bypass mode too. And as for fatwood...I can't see how a lil bit would hurt...fatwood makes a lot of smoke, cats eat smoke...unless its just because when the fatwood is burning that cat is probably not engaged, so it gets coated with smoke...maybe after a while that coating doesn't burn off right away, or it delays the cat igniting?
Cat stoves are so finicky...why doesn't someone invent a dog stove!

 

I was kinda short on wax and used a citronella candle. Mrs. Warner says the house smells like a campground. What’s wrong with that?

 

Hot ______ !!

 

I made my last batch with all her scented candle scraps and some were mixed together...PU!

 

Those look like noodles waxed in egg cartons.
Nice.
Ive had to not cheap out on wax.....some were too light / not enough wax, and didnt light the stove well.
Looks like you got 40 or so out of that batch?
Not sure what the stuff in citronella.does to a steel chimney...
Sca

 

Keeps the mosquitos away!

 

Was working on the retaining wall tonight....i got swarmed by skeeterz. Picked the wrong day to quit smoking....

 

Good on you for quitting. Ms. buZZsaw quit almost two years ago.

 

Yup wax, RO noodles mixed with pine saw dust. There are 6 dozen there, would have made more but ran out of noodles. I’m not sure what if any effects could come from the citronella but since I don’t have a ss liner it ain’t no thing to me.