Jools Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 Chickencam, I wish I could get the hang of using newspaper. It's a bugbear of mine that I can't and I have to resort to firelighters. I'm hanging my head in shame! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 I start mine with newspaper and kindling from old fence panels - works a treat. I always keep it on full open at first to burn any tar away as Liz said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted November 25, 2009 Author Share Posted November 25, 2009 Thanks for the advice I am trying to steer clear of firelighters as I would like to use the wood ash on the garden and for the chickens. I may use them until I can get the hang of lighting the stove properly. I do think the logs I am using are too wet or not seasoned enough, I will have to sort that out pronto. The stove does have a multifuiel grate, it looks like a normal coal fire grate. I have found out that my coal supplier also sells Phurnacite so I will be ordering a couple of bags. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 There are some natural firelighters* you can get, but I just use newspaper and kindling - it's what we used when I was growing up. Your logs might not be seasoned - in which case they'll need to dry for a long time - but they could just be damp from rain. Try bringing some in and drying them out a bit near the fire (not too close as they could ignite) - if it's just surface moisture they should dry out quite quickly. I'm going to invest in a moisture meter, there are several on eBay for about £20, because all my wood is free and it comes in a real range of woods, sizes and ages. To some extent though as others have said, there's a knack to learning what your particular stove 'likes' - sorry your first burn was a disappointment, but I guarantee that when you get it going properly, you'll be thrilled! *warning - clicking on this link will take you to the Hen & Hammock website. Your bank balance may be severely disadvantaged! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 I need some "firelighting with newspaper" lessons! Actually, my neighbour at my last house tried to teach me, but I'm obviously unteachable! We only burn wood, lit with one firelighter per fire, and I've always used the ash on the garden and in the compost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted November 26, 2009 Author Share Posted November 26, 2009 Tonight I am burning 40 year old Oak whiskey barrel staves. The fire is lovely and what a difference to the two previous fires. I think 40 years of seasoning is OK isn't it The wood is completely black on the outside from the Whiskey but there isn't any Whiskey smell. The primary vent spinney wheel is totally closed and the secondary wiggle it along vent is opened a smidge and still the flames are amazing. The room is so warm I may have to leave the door open and switch off the storage heater, although this will not cool down completely until tomorrow. I got the fire going with 4 newspaper knots, 4 small pieces of kindling and one piece of Oak stave. No firelighter needed. I am hoping Santa will be bringing me a moisture meter Thanks again for all your advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 Glad to hear it Ali - do you think the other wood is unseasoned then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted November 26, 2009 Author Share Posted November 26, 2009 I think is probably is Claret. No matter it can be stored away and used next Winter. I got the Oak from the people who installed the stove. It was quite expensive . They also do other seasoned wood which is cheaper and a bigger load so I am going to order some of that and mix it with the Oak to make it more economical. I trust them to deliver proper seasoned wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 Try skip diving Ali, you can get lots of offcuts of seasoned wood from that - a hous in our road was being done up this summer, and they stripped out all the internal timberwork. I got enough really dry wood to last all winter Pallets burn really well too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted November 26, 2009 Author Share Posted November 26, 2009 Andy can get pallets from his work and there are several at my work that I have got my eye on. We need another wood store and I saw one built of pallets on the Green living forum. The base was two whole pallets and the sides and roof were made from the pallet slats. I am useless at DIY but I have got an urge to try and make a store myself. The builders who are supposed to be here ( but haven't turned up this week) doing the loft conversion have been asked to save any offcuts of wood any wood removed from the roof. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 The whisky barrel stavel ali can be bought from the cooperage at craigellachie for a huge load - not a lot of bucks - we found it tarred up the lum though for some reason my hubby did not like it - If you are being charged megabucks for them you are being ripped off or they have gone hiking up in price - they are delivered by tractor and bogie around here. I bought seasoned wood online - it was green as grass and they took it away - I then bought kiln dried stuff which is fine and dry hardwood but contained loads of softwood which the company said categorically that they do not buy! - they are telling fibs and are making money from this - you cannot trust anyone at all it seems! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 My woodpile is on pallets too Ali, with a tarp thrown over it to keep the wood dry. I never have a problem finding wood and often screech to a halt when out and load dumped wood into the van. I have just worn out my second chainsaw though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 Glad to hear that the disappointment is forgotten, and it's now burning beautifully! Welcome to the world of woodburners, I can't wait for the weather to get colder so I can light mine. I've been amazed at how much wood is around - I started off with a lot of old pallets from a friend who'd just had her garden landscaped. They are a pain to break/saw up, and they burn really quickly - but they were free. I then got given a lot of building offcuts, including oak and cedar - needs cutting up and I only have a handsaw, but they are much longer lasting. I've been given some logs by the tree surgeon who pruned my apple tree; next-door neighbour is a builder and he gives me offcuts of skirting, a lot of old roofing battens and other bits and pieces. As long as it hasn't got paint or preservative on, I'll burn it! Once people know you are looking, wood will come to you in my experience. My garage is full and I have not paid a penny for any of it, my main problem is cutting it up and I think this year I'll have to invest in an electric saw, as it is very tiring and time-consuming to saw it up by hand. If you can get anything else, I would not use pallets for burning - use them to make the wood-store instead. Really glad to hear that you are happy with it now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 Wow that didn't take you long! Bet you're hooked now aren't you? If you can't find enough free wood where you live, try tracking down a local tree surgeon and cultivate them. Most do logs as a by-product of their work and if you find a non-cowboy hat wearing one and specify what you want, they should deliver the goodies for you. The other problem with buying logs these days is the cost of them as the price has gone through the roof now everyone is getting on the woodburner bandwagon. This tends to mean that the good suppliers struggle to keep up with the demand and may not always be able to deliver seasoned wood. If you have the space, it's a good idea to keep a woodpile for burning now and a woodpile for burning later and never waiting til you're short of logs before ordering more. And ............ a detailed description of how you make your newspaper firelighters pretty please!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted November 27, 2009 Share Posted November 27, 2009 Homemade firelighters:- Stuff a looroll tightly with shredded paper http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=312387 Fill an egg box "cup" with lint from the tumble dryer, pour a little melted wax over it & leave to set, use as a traditional fielighter. Cramp balls - found on damaged or distressed ash trees, look like black truffles on the bark of the wood, apparently they can be used as hand warmers once lit too, though I wouldn't like to try that!! http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-use-natural-fire-lighters He also mentions birch bark which peels off the tree & can be dried. Somebody also mentioned dried grapefruit or orange skins, but I've never used them........... Hope this helps! Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted November 27, 2009 Share Posted November 27, 2009 All I do is take a sheet of tabloid size newspaper fold it along it's centre fold, the fold again and twist in the middle. Don't skimp on the paper have quite a good layer then a good framework of kindling so that it won'd collapse and put out the new fire. Light the paper in a few places close the door to with all the vents open for a minute or 2 then close the door fully and wait until the kindling is well alight before adding a few bigger pieces of wood. don't over load the fire until you have a good gowing ember bed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 27, 2009 Share Posted November 27, 2009 Confidential waste lights fires quite well too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted November 29, 2009 Share Posted November 29, 2009 We use newspaper scrunched into tight balls and a handful of tumble-dryer lint underneath two crossed layers of kindling to get our fire started. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted November 29, 2009 Share Posted November 29, 2009 Sounds like I'm going to have to stop using my old loo rolls for seed planting, buy more than one newspaper a week and get a tumble drier! Thanks for trying to help me though but I think I may be beyond redemption ..... where firelighters are concerned anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted November 30, 2009 Author Share Posted November 30, 2009 Jools, would you like me to send you a couple of newspaper knots ? You could then unravel them to see how they are made. Pm me if you would like me to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 And I could send you some tumble dryer fluff....... Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 Now you're really rubbing it in!! But I might take you up on it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 ..........I've a jiffy bag ready to have your name added Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 I could send some fluff too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I burn it also. We have had a multifuel stove serving our central heating for the past 19 years here and never used firelighters - keep all papers and cardboard to light the fire and its fine. We are going to be replacing it very soon with oil heating (getting too old to get up to a cold house and loo for showering in the mornings!) and then I will get a small woodburner installed into the lounge next spring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted December 1, 2009 Share Posted December 1, 2009 I didn't know about the tumble drier fluff I know what we'll be burning this winter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
