Ive got one giant white pine and a few smaller ones plus a diseased ash in the treeline so even on my half acre, like Bill, more branches fall on the lawn every year than I can possibly use as kindling. I am a Super Cedar convert and I use a modified top down. Two large splits placed east-west 1/4 super cedar between the splits criss cross a bunch of small branches on top. This works like a charm every time
Start it in Oct, let it go out in April. Load the stove with birch splits, throw in some loose birch bark & light with a butane lighter. Hot blazing fire in minutes.
After reading through the replies, it looks like I have a unique way of fire starting. I save our paper towel and toilet paper rolls throughout the year. I roll up newspaper and fill the tube; loosely. Throw 3-4 in with some kindling and a few small splits. Works every time.
I use your year one method. Newspaper that I get from recycling and splitting chips and bark from kindling. Free and easy.
Two small splits of anything dry and soft (right now my favorites are Aspen or Sassafras) with two or three newspaper balls and a really small piece of kindling between the splits with a dry soft split on top. Dry Aspen or Sasafrass small splits are almost like gasoline.
Load full size pieces of 2-3+ year seasoned splits, set 1/4 SuperCeader in front under a split, light it with a lighter and off we go. 400*+ in less than 30 minuets in three steps that take 30 seconds. Works great to the point I don't even try new stuff any more. I like easy more the older I get. Gives me more time in the morning for .
I use the top down method to start a fire. Large splits on the bottom, kindling, then paper and cedar bark on top. Light the paper and cedar bark. The paper and bark light the kindling and then the splits.
Wow- so many different methods/tools! I think I'll check into super cedars. I think they are more expensive than lightning nuggets, but from what some of you are saying they may be more economical if you break them up into 4ths.
Indoors: Usually start with some news paper, add some card board then add wood shop scraps and maul splinters until i have a pretty good fire going then add larger chunks of wood. Outside: I confess to occasional useage of petroleum distallates to encourage combustion of biomass products in the outdoor fire pit. Only had one occurance where embers landed in the neighboors yard upon ignition....
For a comparison , Rutland squares are $13 for 144 /super cedars are $33 for 36 count, that's 144 when quartered, so $20 more for the same amount
Super cedars, Unwrapped 72 count $57.95 ,288 when quartered, Wrapped, 72 Count $58.95 /100Ct $69.85 starts up to 400 fires ,100Ct Unwrapped $67.85 Rutland squares are $26 for 288
I go top down. Should have taken a pic while doing it. This is about 6 to 8 minutes in with newspaper on top. Some good dry wood..
I pickup all the scrap 2x10 pc. on jobs then cut to 12" and split to 3/4" four on the bottom some small splits on top then larger splits. Propane torch for 1/2 minute and off it goes. Was given a box of Rutland squares by my wood stove dealer to try last year. They worked great but just can't see spending the money as the torch lasts the season and works.
I light a fire twice a day, once in the a.m. and once in the evening. I have a great supply of kindling in the form of dried aspen "sticks" that are about 1"x.25"x4' or so. They are industrial waste from a nearby manufacturing facility and are baled up and free for the taking. I'll typically make a little pile of those aspen sticks broken into 8" long pieces in a V shape laying on the firebox floor, and put some shavings and bits of the same stuff in the crotch of the V. Light those off, and set the first load of wood on that, close the door and away she goes. It's a bit different than most, but it works for me and only takes a minute or two to light up each time.
