My gf and I have used Easy Fire fire starters (link: Speciality Products) for a couple of years. I was building firepit fires like a Boy Scout. No problem. One day I wasn't there and she bought some of these and was so proud of herself because she built a great fire and had had trouble making a fire before trying the boy scout way, lol. After I saw one of these in action, I had to admit that for ease of use, her little kerosene cubes work like magic. The heck with me and newspaper and kindling, lol! Anyway, was thinking... these cubes... maybe it's nothing more than kerosene in a matrix (the cube) and if I bought some kerosene, might be cheaper to just pour a little on the wood. The great thing about the Easy Fire cubes is it will start a fire of big split hardwood with just one cube. Makes a big flame for 10-15 minutes. It just works. I haven't bought kerosene in decades, is it still sold? Where can one find it these days? Meanwhile, I go whittle some fat pine. EDIT: I see that Tractor Supply has kerosene. Even 5 gal bucket. That'd last awhile!
No, firepit fires. But I actually have a couple of customers who start fires in their fireplace by pouring diesel on the firewood, lol. We'd do that on the farm starting fires clearing brush but it's probably not as good an idea for fireplaces, lol. Although, diesel isn't explosive like gasoline.
I see. They still sell kerosene. There's a place near me that sells it at the pump. Its considerably more expensive than gas or diesel though. Its a cleaner more refined diesel in a sense. I've seen people burn diesel in kerosene heaters with poor results, but it does work. If you live out in the country, a better option would be a little used motor oil. Gas is too volatile, and burns off quickly, kerosene and diesel too expensive to waste on a brushfire. Used motor oil is free and doesn't ignite nearly as quick, but lasts longer.
I have used charcoal starter to start fires in my wood stove for years. However, it's potentially dangerous. I don't advocate doing it, but I do do it. Never squirt it into the stove if there are live coals in there. It can be done, but you must have a flame going, like a newspaper burning or something, or gases will develop and then an explosion. Maybe its best you don't do it! I certainly don't advocate it. This year, I have done a bunch of noodling of a lot of large rounds that I just couldn't split by hand. Noodling works pretty good for me, if I have to use it, and it produces these wonderful long wood shaving or noodles if you will, that makes great kindling. I collected several big tubs of them and I will throw a couple of dustpans full of the long shaving in the stove to start my fires. It works great and they are free or at least a free byproduct of my noodling which I am going to do, anyway if I have to. I will also occasionally throw them on top of hot coals to speed up the burn process after the fire has burned down, if I need to. Of course I still split up some small kindling when I need to.
You can just soak your splitter dribblings and sticks in a bucket of diesel it’s not as clean burning as k1 but cheaper and is still not considered flammable rather combustible due to higher flash point. Used motor oil is just asking for a smoke show EPA alarms going off every where
Yep, the used motor oil gets the neighbors riled almost as bad as when I’m burning old tires and railroad ties, not my preferred fuels, but beggars can’t be choosers and all Them steel belts are rough on chains when chunkin up the tires to fit in the stove, but nothin like hittin them dayum spikes you didn’t see in the ties Doug
Ha! A husky feller such as yourself would be able to twist those tires into a figure 8 for burning instead of cutting through them!
Ahh cmon Dave, I ain’t 19 any more Dayum near triple 19 now, heck I put my 3120xp on the ground, with my foot in the handle to start it anymore, I’m not drop starting that Beast anymore, and oh yeah I USE the Decomp on that bugger Doug
Half a cup of diesel fuel and a half a cup of used oil poured on the wood, then throw a M80 in the stove, its an eye opener in the morning.
chainsaw vs steel belted tire...... Yaaaaaaa. Watched my know it all boss at the time try to saw a shot drive tire off one of our semi's. Tire 10, saw zero And to top it off he got pizzed and wrapped a chain around the half dis mounted tire and hooked it to Cat D8. Darn near pulled the axle out of the truck before giving up!
Outside diesel and and used motor oil blend, if I can get it used hydraulic oil works good. Inside use a propane soldering torch. Get ya a couple of pieces of wrist sized wood and put the torch to it done deal.
I use a small bathroom paper cup stuffed with wood chips from noodling. Then add just a touch of lamp oil. Lights up very easy and flames just long enough to get the kindling going. Been doing that for about 5 years. I do not like all the smoke that comes from newspaper.
