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

Does anyone still use kindling?

Discussion in 'The Wood Pile' started by Backwoods Savage, Apr 25, 2017.

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  1. Backwoods Savage

    Backwoods Savage Moderator

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    Although we have no problem starting fires without kindling I still like to use it as it gets the fire going just a little bit faster. Besides, sometimes old habits hang on.

    In case anyone has not looked at our pictures from the GTG last weekend, I did post this in that thread. The kindling was donated by our friend jdude Thank you jdude.

    Live from the 2017 MI GTG @ Backwoods Savage's

    There are lots and lots of pictures and some videos. They are still being posted and I know more are coming so check in there from time to time.
    Kindling-1.JPG Kindling-2.JPG
     
    Backwoods Savage, Apr 25, 2017
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  2. Mwalsh9152

    Mwalsh9152

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    I like to take some pallets and cut them up, then split them. Makes some nice kindling. I stick my torch in there for about 20-30 seconds and its off and running.
     
    Mwalsh9152, Apr 25, 2017
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  3. jdude

    jdude

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    Happy to get rid of it........lol
    I don't have much trouble getting rid of it in the winter but the summer months it piles up and I'm always looking for people to take it.
     
    jdude, Apr 25, 2017
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  4. tamarack

    tamarack

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    Ya just split up a bunch yesterday. Its still getting down to 25 at night here so been starting a fire every day after work.
     
    tamarack, Apr 25, 2017
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  5. tamarack

    tamarack

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    20170425_150659.jpg 20170425_150659.jpg
     
    tamarack, Apr 25, 2017
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  6. Backwoods Savage

    Backwoods Savage Moderator

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    If we only lived closer...
     
    Backwoods Savage, Apr 25, 2017
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  7. Backwoods Savage

    Backwoods Savage Moderator

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    tamarack what is that blue stuff in that bottle?
     
    Backwoods Savage, Apr 25, 2017
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  8. bushpilot

    bushpilot

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    Of course I use kindling! No need for fire starters, just some pine kindling and a lighter, and I am ready to go.
     
    bushpilot, Apr 25, 2017
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  9. Scotty Overkill

    Scotty Overkill Administrator

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    Yep, I use it. I deliberately save arborvitae (cedar) for this reason. I split it into 1" thick by 12" long 'boards' with the splitter and stack those boards up in the barn loft. I'll pull 10 to 12 boards out at a time as needed, take them into the garage and use a hatchet to split them into slivers. That's pretty much all I use to start fires anymore. One match and you're off to the races every single time.
     
    Scotty Overkill, Apr 25, 2017
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  10. Screwloose

    Screwloose

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    Well I am different I'll admit.... I have always put the better pieces of "splitter trash" into my stacks. It comes in gradually as I get wood and goes in the stove needed or not. Also handy to shim wobbling stacks.
     
    Screwloose, Apr 25, 2017
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  11. Scotty Overkill

    Scotty Overkill Administrator

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    I do that too. I box up my "splitter slivers" and it goes into storage with th cedar. Never a shortage of firestarters here..
     
    Scotty Overkill, Apr 25, 2017
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  12. FatBoy85

    FatBoy85

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    I was left with a box of cedar shakes when I moved into my house. Found them in the garage. Almost full. This is cedar with endless kindling it seems. I can make it stretch as it becomes like skewer stick size. Then the bigger kindling (2-3 finger width) size is helping the fire roll before I get the bigger stuff.
     
    FatBoy85, Apr 25, 2017
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  13. Ashwatcher

    Ashwatcher

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    Like Scotty Overkill and Screwloose I use splitter chafe and those incidental skinny splits that invariably occur while splitting, the right way of course...I always have a big pile of kindling and it is stacked in the last bay of the shed...In a normal winter, I dont use much as I burn 24-7 from first fire til spring...I let it go out this morning, think its over for the season...
     
    Ashwatcher, Apr 25, 2017
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  14. FatBoy85

    FatBoy85

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    What do you do that makes it pile up?
     
    FatBoy85, Apr 25, 2017
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  15. bogydave

    bogydave

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    With birch, I just strip a few pieces of bark,
    put in front of a full load & light.
    &
    One piece of kindling in front, on top of the bark , East/West.
    Seems to help it get going faster & directs the air.

    SO; YES,
    I still use kindling
     
    bogydave, Apr 25, 2017
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  16. Marshel54

    Marshel54

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    Kindling per say no. Not as I perceive kindling.
    Kindling in my mind is, very dry and thinly split wood that I can start the fire with a match or a ball of newspaper.
    I do make splits, like in Tamarack's posting, to start the fire. That is my kindling. I don't have a steady supply of kiln dried scraps to start the fire.
     
    Last edited: Apr 25, 2017
    Marshel54, Apr 25, 2017
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  17. Eric VW

    Eric VW Moderator

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    Cabinet shop....:D
     
    Eric VW, Apr 25, 2017
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  18. FatBoy85

    FatBoy85

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    Thats too damm easy. Wood that provides it own kindling.
     
    FatBoy85, Apr 25, 2017
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  19. billb3

    billb3

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    Yes. Big fire fast. Must have a neanderthal or norwegian pyro gene.
    Construction cutoffs are great. I've split pine with few knots into thin strips in the garage on a rainy day with the electric splitter or a hatchet.
    Right now I use mostly stomped on pine branches. Sometimes I use a 8-10 pound double face sledge hammer to smash with instead of my foot or knee.
     
    billb3, Apr 25, 2017
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  20. FatBoy85

    FatBoy85

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    damm cabinet shops so filled with wood.
     
    FatBoy85, Apr 25, 2017
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