…from last year or the year before. “Don’t buy firestarters, cut your own from those firelogs people who use their fireplaces twice a year buy.”
It seemed like a pretty good idea, and last winter I actually purchased a firelog for the purpose. Never got around to cutting it up for firestarters before today, though.
First impression: I’m not sure a chopsaw is the right tool for the purpose, because it made a horrible mess. Think I might have been better off with a hacksaw at the workbench. But I did slice it up,…
And then I brought it home, and after stacking firewood I tried to break off a neat chunk (turns out it’s very brittle)…
…and lit it on fire, which only proved it’s flammable. Which we sort of already knew.
Turns out that little chunk does burn for several minutes, though.
Not very enthusiastically, but it does burn a good long time. So I guess we’ll see what good it is as a firestarter.
Napalm Joel, napalm.
Napalm is basically jellied gasoline.
One thing I learned early – graphically, but thankfully not in the worst way – is that gasoline and fire must be relegated to their entirely separate categories of activities lest very bad things happen.
Way back when I was a scout, I used to pack a bundle of wax paper wrapped candle stick chunks. Lights easy, doesn’t necessarily burn for a long time, but usually long enough to get a camp fire lit, just cut up a candle stick into 1-2 inch chunks, and twist wrap like a candy. Although I’m not sure a chop saw is the right tool for cutting candles either.
Bernzomatic TS4000
https://www.bernzomatic.com/Products/Hand-Torches/Instant-On-Off/TS4000
best woodstove starter ever made
M.Silvius – the Bernzomatic TS4000 is also a great way to get the old propane BBQ going when the igniter has failed. While its use for this may get you talked about especially after you say “hold my beer and watch this”, it sure is fun. :^)