On Thu, 11 Feb 2021 20:42:28 +0000, newshound wrote:

On 11/02/2021 18:36, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
On 11/02/2021 18:19, David wrote:
On Thu, 11 Feb 2021 18:11:09 +0000, David wrote:

On Thu, 11 Feb 2021 16:43:29 +0000, Tim+ wrote:

David wrote:
Further to the tinkering with my log burner I think that although
it will burn the big bits that I have, it may need more small bits
to get going and up to temperature quickly.

If youre needing kindling it may well be that your logs are too
moist.

snip loads of stuff unrelated to the question

The wood is very dry and in big chunks.

If I stuff one or two fire lighters in there than it usually goes
pretty quickly.
However I am experimenting on lighting without using fire lighters.

I have noted that big solid blocks of wood are reluctant to burn
straight off (applying a weed burner as a heat source) but that if
there are a few small bits of kindling the whole thing takes off with
a vengeance.

I am also considering as noted above that I think it may be more
effective to start with some small pieces to get a good set of embers
going then put the larger pieces on later.

Wood only burns at the surface, so chunky logs burn for a long time
but all that wood in the middle doesn't contribute to the fire for
some considerable time.

So small pieces to start are required.

I have noted that even a few small bits of wood - mere splinters -
are often enough to get the larger bits of wood blazing away merrily.
I assume some kind of wicking effect.

Yep, just proved that again.

A few slivers of wood between two large logs and the whole thing
bursts into flame.

Just the two logs and an air gap and it glows but doesn't burn.

So kindling it is.


when cutting up trees always cut up a few smaller branches and stack
them separately for this precise use



+1, but I also save offcuts of studding and batten for just this job;
slice them up with a hatchet on the hearth. And start with a cubic inch
of firelighter.

Respectfully, all the trees that I have cut up in the past, and all the
offcuts, have already gone through the stove.

I don't have access to free wood at the moment nor the inclination to go
and cut, split, and season wood for 2 years.

For the first time in a long while I've just bought a load of split and
dried wood from a reputable local supplier.
Lovely stuff it is too.

It is burning quite happily.

I am trying to light the fire without using a fire lighter, and the
experimenting suggests that a small amount of kindling would make the fire
light a lot more easily.

I also intend to see what happens if I start the fire with a lot of
kindling and get the chimney up to temperature before adding the big logs.

I therefore refer you to the thread title:
"Chopping kindling on hard standing - axe protector?"
which states exactly what I am looking for.


Cheers



Dave R


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