The past 2 years I have started every fire in my stove with a propane torch and kindling. At first I used paper, kindling, and smaller wood. It took more time to set up and I thought it made a lot of ash. I tried fire starters for a while and they worked well but they were more expensive. I ran out of fire starters and I used a torch and didn't see the need for them anymore. The torch takes about 30 seconds, is much cheaper and never fails. Every time someone comes to the house they ask about the torch on the end table. Quite a few of them burn wood and they just smile when I tell them. I did a search on this site and nothing came up. So am I the only one?
I don't normally light fires from a cold stove, but I have used my MAP gas torch a few times. Used the torch to help start a draft when the weather gets weird also. You're not alone.
I use the torch once in awhile, but mostly fire starters for a light and walk away affair, so to speak.
I've never used a torch but have read on another forum about guys doing it. Seems like cheating to me. But I can see where it could be handy, especially for those like Beetle-Kill who use it to start a good draft. I for years used only paper and kindling wood but several years ago, I think around 2007 I learned about the Super Cedars and Thomas was good enough to give us a couple samples. I liked them so well we bought a case. The biggest reason I like them so well is that if my wife has to start a fire from scratch, she always seemed to have a problem. Once we got the super cedars, now she can light a fire without so much struggling. They are not that expensive and we get 4 starts out of one super cedar. Some folks get 8 starts from one and we probably could also but haven't yet tried that route. So no, you are not the only one, but no doubt one of the proud and few.
No, you're not the only one! I've been burning in my Lopi Freedom Bay insert for about 2 years now, and almost always start from a cold stove. I've found the best method for me is to put two splits east-west in the front and back of the stove, then put 2-3 pages of crumpled up newspaper between them. Then, 2 pieces of FatWood on top of that then start cross hatching splits on top until I hit the top. Start my propane torch and just touch the paper and I can walk away. The torch burns for probably 20 seconds tops. I think the small amount of ash that a few pieces of newspaper creates is minimal compared to the 20 pounds of hardwood. I can buy a big box of FatWood on Amazon for probably $20 and it might last me 2 seasons depending on how much bone dry cedar I have on hand . Standing dead cedar is probably the best kindling around here. I'm sometimes just too lazy to go pick it up.
I torch, it's not cheating. It gets the job done fast, I'm 32 and self employed. Time is something I don't have a surplus of.
I do the same thing.. Every time , especially in the wood oven outside. I basically took the same line as you, went from kindling and newspaper, to firestarters, to the torch.
Never a torch, never paper. Tinder, kindling and cord wood. A few times a year I'll use a flint and steel to start. Primitive fire starting is a skill I try to stay proficient at. Taught the youngest grandson at 5, his mom was not impressed.
What do you do? Pile wood around the propane tank and light the wood. Wait for the tank to warm up to really establish draft when it "vents".
I had an unlimited supply of tinder dry pine cones at my previous home. Just one sheet of newspaper to light the pine cone then and it would light the splits. Here, I have become a fan of Super Cedars I know where the torch is and how to use it if I need it though
Been using the torch for several years now in fact I take it with me wherever I go, cottage, hunt camps, camping, indoor, outdoor fires doesn't matter. I use a little paper, a little kindling and the push button start torch. Even lite a few fires in the rain this way.
I taught my wife to use crumpled paper, splitter chaff or a few branches, and a few bigger limbs/thin splits...... I'm not sure she even knows I have a MAPP torch available for anything other than sweating copper and starting the rocket stove test unit
I get kiln dried furniture wood scraps by the ton that has a lot of wood chips and splinters mixed in. Not much need for a torch or fire starters. I can usually just use a lighter but I use the torch occasionally if I'm in a hurry.
Have always used a torch. Stove is in the walkout lower level and had a draft issue from the get go. Learned from someone hear to crack a window near the stove and start the draft with the torch for a few seconds then light fire.
I use a torch exclusively- I do not even know where I would find a lighter or matches if I needed them (I DO have some, just not out w/in easy reach and I do not remember offhand where a lighter might be). I used to use a lighter (butane, re- fillable) but of course no longer carry that after I quit smoking. IMO there is nothing more convenient or efficient than a self- igniting propane (or MAPP gas) torch. In fact, mine just got better about a month ago as my 30 year old, self igniting torch finally broke and I bought a new one- this one has both the gas valve and igniter in one button.... my ancestor Trog would just love this thing! He would probably say 'it is like sex..... only good!'. I normally scrape some cold charcoal from the last fire into a small pile, load the stove and then hose the coals with the torch. If the stove is clean, I do use a piece of a Super Cedar but again light it with the torch. Once in a great while, I use nothing but small splits and the torch directly- leave the door open about an inch or so, aim the lit torch at the small splits in the stove and leave it leaning there for maybe a minute, which is what it sounds like you are doing. That works fine too. We all do an ancient thing- burning wood to produce heat. But that does not mean we have to do it the ancient way, which is why virtually all of use use chainsaws, wood splitters and modern stoves. Hey, truth be told, I hunt for virtually all my meat the the local grocery store too. IMO, nothing wrong with using modern tools and techniques. Brian
A while back I started making my own fire starters. I use cardboard egg cartons, sawdust and paraffin wax. With good, dry wood and proper kindling the home made fire starters are easy, inexpensive and fool proof for me.
Did the same thing this past winter. I am just using up the balance of what I had bought over the last few years before I lay into the home made ones. Used candle wax for mine.
