How do you light your fire/stove ?

ComfortKid

What's the most efficient way to get the coal lighting? I used to spend a lot of time building a little pile around the firelighters but it's just too time consuming.

Latley I just threw in the lighting firelighters and threw a shovel of coal on top if it, but this method is hit and miss, it either quinches the flames or takes too long to get going,

So what's the best way to get the fire blazing quickly? I don't use firelogs either, too expensive.

megabantz

ComfortKid wrote: »

What's the most efficient way to get the coal lighting? I used to spend a lot of time building a little pile around the firelighters but it's just too time consuming.

Latley I just threw in the lighting firelighters and threw a shovel of coal on top if it, but this method is hit and miss, it either quinches the flames or takes too long to get going,

So what's the best way to get the fire blazing quickly? I don't use firelogs either, too expensive.

Dumping a load of coal on fire lighters wont do much other than waste fuel and cause frustration.

You can buy kindling sticks (small 5 or 6 inch length strips of wood) that you build up around fire lighters. Once these take light start adding in some more larger fuels like briquettes or fire wood. Once the fire has taken (this happens withing 5 mins) you add coal and the heat will build and build. Once the wood has heated up the coal will become red hot.

Also make sure enough oxegen is getting to the fire so ensure air vents are fully open.

Kirk Van Houten

I use anthracite instead of coal but put down a base layer of anthracite light the firelighters on top. Add a few small bits of kindling/sticks and then more anthracite. Always works well for me.

allandanyways

I only learned how to light a fire this year (in my mid twenties ) cos my dad always did it in our home house, and I had the joy of living with storage heaters in cowboy builder apartments for the last few years.

Anyway, point is that if this method works for me, it will work for anyone because I'm an absolute failure when it comes to this kinda stuff. We have a stove burner.

3 firelighters in the centre of the grill, build a tower of kindling around it (€1.99 for a bag that lasts about 10-14 days if lighting fire every second day), light the firelighters, let it catch with the door open for 5 mins and then gently add 2 briquettes on top, close the door, let it burn away for 15-20 mins with the air vent open 1/3 of the way, and then add more fuel as required.

Coal works with this method as well but you have to watch it in the initial 15 mins of catching and add more wood if you think it's going out.

Jimmy_M

recently mastered this my self
Open fire though - but similar to above - You need the kindling.

- Bed of coal on the grate for me to start. Not packed in. loose enough
- Few fire ligter pieces interspersed (3 or 4).
- Next layer, kindling scattered on top of that couple more firelighter chunks - I try make it so that there's gaps, or so it will hold up the next layer if you get me...
- Another bed of coal on top, again not packed in. Few more firelighters ... not on top but kind of inbetween top layer (3 pieces).

Then get your long lighter and light whatever bits of fire lighter you can see. You can walk away at that point... it'll be blazing in 3-4 minutes.
Only reason i go back to it in the short term is to maybe put a few more lumps of coal on top of the flames so as not to waste them



...
Secret is really in the kindling i think.
Its not just little pieces of wood. Its super dry little pieces of wood. Theyve been dried in a kiln. My recipe prob sounds like i use too many firelighters - i think i'd get away with using alot less.

pawrick

I find the handiest is to start it using fire lighter and a split briquette. I put half the briquette on it's side and the other half leaning on top and covering the fire lighter but allowing air in at the sides. Once the flame is established I add coal around it. This works with sticks also as the key is not to smother the flame starting off and having dry kindling. Sometimes if I'm feeling artistic I'll build a portal dolmen with the lighter in the centre.

Usually though i just throw on a cheap fire log with some coal around it and I've never had a problem.

h_orse

pawrick wrote:

I find the handiest is to start it using fire lighter and a split briquette. I put half the briquette on it's side and the other half leaning on top and covering the fire lighter but allowing air in at the sides. Once the flame is established I add coal around it. This works with sticks also as the key is not to smother the flame starting off and having dry kindling. Sometimes if I'm feeling artistic I'll build a portal dolmen with the lighter in the centre.

Use an empty milk carton with whatever you have. The carton will melt and stick to whatever is there and will stay light for a while too even if you don't have fire lighters


If not there is always petrol :-D :-D

Call me Al

One zip firelighter in the centre of a clean grate (I use more if it's a cheaper brand of firelighter), with kindling that I've gathered from the garden or else a split briquette built up on top. Allow plenty air to the base so the vents of the stove are open. After about 1/2 hour load up the fuel and you're off.

Graces7

I have not used firelighters for many years; was not brought up with them and lit the fire every day after school./ Dont use briquettes either. Screwed up paper, cardboard ( gets rid of packaging) , wood, then turf or coal atop lightly until some has caught, then coal. You have to get a well alight base before the coal will catch.. Just lit mine and today did add a milk carton.. well alight and a fine sight..