Hi all, I'm new here and just getting started and was wondering if I've done too much/too little for kindling prep? I cut up and collected about 1/3 cord of kindling for this coming winter, as the pre-bagged stuff seemed like a big rip off. I sort of sectioned off a pallet for kindling and didn't stop until it was full. Now, I have no idea how long I can expect it to last, and if I've done an embarrassing amount (either too much or too little). Here's a pic of one side, back of the skid has the same amount:
That’s a decent amount. Some people use/rely on kindle more than others. You’re in Canada so you likely would need less than someone in the southern US.
I guess it depends on how much you burn and how much you have to relight your stove. What you have there would last me a month or so but I can't keep my stove going through the day as I work. Everyone is different and I would just suggest keeping track of how much you go through yourself. Base it upon a week or a month and add it up at the end of the year and you'll have a total that's right for you. And in closing welcome to FHC, there are a lot of wonderful people here with a wealth of knowledge they are willing to share.
You can't ever have too much kindling, unless you're space limited. You can however run out of kindling. But, as long as you have dry wood, kindling is just a matter of a bit of time and effort.
Hey 303Bourbon , welcome aboard. I've been using more kindling the last couple years in the fall and spring when the need for heat is fairly low. I think it was last year, I used up about 1/3 cord of it in about 1.5 months. Keep it top covered, and it'll last a long time, so keep hoarding that stuff. I mean....this IS FHC, after all.
Looks like a nice supply of kindling. As others have said, it all depends on your needs. Some light the stove once in the fall and keep it fired until spring. If you are gone for long periods each day and loose the coals, kindling is a great way to get going again. Covered properly it won't spoil so I say if you have the spare time why not. Welcome to the best firewood forum ever. Plenty of knowledgeable folks here willing to help you.
I've done 1/3 just like that of pine and had to make another 1/3 in January. 5 or 6 pieces every morning on hot coals to get the fire going again quick doesn't last very long. With two smaller stoves that just about make it overnite, depending on how you define overnite, we go through a bit of it. I used to throw maple and oak on hot coals in the morning and coax and baby the fire along, but some pine kindling just makes it so much easier. Less smoke too.
Thanks for the all the input. Sounds like there's no such thing as too much, so I'll keep plugging away and keep track of my usage.
Welcome to the forum 303Bourbon As stated above, everyone's needs vary but the big thing is, how often do you have to light a fire in a cold stove? We typically will use a goodly amount of kindling through maybe the first half of November then not again until March. But worry not, if you have too much, that kindling will be just that much better for next year. In addition to that, we also use Super Cedars and get 4 lights from one puck. They are not expensive and Thomas puts them at 40% off occasionally or you can also buy them right here off the forum. If you wish, let me know and I'll let you know when I see them on sale. These things are fantastic too.
Keep it covered and it will last quite awhile, keep a good supply on hand, those shorts and chunks work well for packing a stove for overnight too. we have 24 drums of chunks drying... we keep a few metal trash cans with pallet frame strips for kindling... a 5x10 shed we keep limb wood and smaller pieces in.
Thanks. Please do. I had a question on those Super Cedars. What's their best use? Are they substitutes for kindling? Are they only used on cold starts?
Super Cedars I use sawdust/wax/egg carton starters, which would be similar. What's their best use? Place under a load of splits. Most of the time no other type of starter material needed. Are they substitutes for kindling? Yes, they can be. Otherwise, sometimes with outside temps on the warm side, yet we need heat, draft can be poor, and more is needed, adding kindling stokes the start. Are they only used on cold starts? Generally, yes.
Looks like you’ve got a good system there. Something I did was grind up the debris left over after splitting my firewood and put it in garbage bags. A handful of that on a paper towel will get the fire going for me. I did four bags in a short amount of time and a bag lasted all Winter last year. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Whis I had that much kindling! I have one garbage can full, should last me well over one season. I don’t go out of my way to make it. Usually just collect scraps from splitting and small branches and twigs from around the yard.
I have 3/4 cord of basswood split and stacked for shoulder season. Should work good for those cool cloudy fall days. On the other hand, they make matchsticks out of basswood, so I could split up a bunch into smaller sizes and keep it on hand. Seems often enough I'm looking for a kindling kick starter and end up having to search some down. It sure is lite weight stuff.
Chaz and I use a garbage cans to store ours in. I use a lot of the pieces that show up when splitting. Just keep the can close by when splitting and just toss them in. But I am also retired so I can keep the fire stoked in the daytime.
