Went up back this morning in VT and used the Kindling Cracker to split up some smaller rounds into kindling. This time of year, it’s a lot of lighting fires in the evening, then again in the AM. Plus, I like to have a good supply on hand for getting things going when we arrive and the house is cold after being away for the week. I used to do a lot of pine kindling, but the nature of pine, it doesn’t coal that well. I find that hardwood kindling coals up better and builds the fire a bit quicker. This is what I split today. I’m thinking my current rack (no pictured) will get me through early January. I’ll split more next weekend and top cover it.
One often-overlooked thing we can't have too much of: kindling! How is that kindling cracker working out for you? I like it's simplicity, and that it doesn't require maintenance
I made some more kindling today as well. To your point about species, I've tried pine, maple, oak, beech and ash. So far, I think the ash is doing the best for me.
It’s funny because I used to always use pine. Then I had some random hardwood kindling and noticed it got things going a bit quicker.
I used kindling for years then for a couple years stopped. I've started again and still prefer starting a fire with kindling. As for the splitting, one time I was in need of some so in a hurry I used the log splitter. Now that is a way you can make kindling fast! It is also very easy and kind of fun too. As for what I like best, soft maple gets my vote. Super easy splitting, lights fast, burns hot and even makes coals.
I like tulip poplar for kindling. I split down boards I get from the pallet mill, they light easy and burn well.
Around here we call kindling "Boxelder" or "Cottonwood" regardless of the physical size of the split..
Two fatwood sticks jammed in between regular splits. Light em and close the door. If I don’t have fatwood then yep I need some kindling. Using some cedar shakes from Brad right now
I might try one of those Kindling Crackers. I split the kindling but it is often not as small as my wife would like. That thing looks slick!
In my first ever post on FHC I asked about a vintage kindling splitter that I found on eBay. It works in a similar way to the Kindling Cracker, but fits in a pocket. I've been looking for another one ever since but have not found one. The principle would be easy to replicate though. Here's the post: Vintage Kindling Maker - Just Hit It To Split It
Nice work. Kindling is always good, especially when you don't have to split it when you need it. I like to keep at least 3 copy paper boxes filled. 1 box might last 6 weeks. I put splits that are perfectly straight grain on the side as I take wood out of my bin. I usually split them up when I get 2 boxes full. I can do a whole box in under 15 minutes using 2 harbor freight hatchets. I also cut up some boxes into 6x6 inch squares to use as starter.
I actually used my kracker yesterday; first time in a long time. I was making mini splits for the cooker. Worked great for doing that!
Isn't fatwood just basically an XL pitch pocket? Which any piece of pine could have small ones in it...?
You need more kindling? Cutting up a bunch of old boards today for such. I burned all the cedar shingles. Got bags of BL shards from the splitter. That pile of splitter trash from the tulip poplar we processed looks ideal.
Its my understanding its where the pitch is highly concentrated and not necessarily a pitch pocket. They claim it comes from the stumps. I know Southern yellow pine (same species used to make pressure treated lumber) is high in pitch.
