Propane Fire Starter

[sweetwoodmaple]

Adapted one of these for my wood fired evaporator. Works well and starts the fire quickly.

http://www.thecampingsource.com/catalog/coleman_fire_starter_kit_for_fireplace_2059599.htm

I basically put it in the front draft door to get the wood started, then remove once things get going.

Brian

[Russ]

We use something like this connected to a run-of-the-mill LP grill tank:

http://www.commonsensecare.com/prodimages/bigweeddragon.jpg

Except we don't have a regulator. :D

It sounds like a rocket, but it sure is better than trying to get a fire lit with newpapaer and kindling.

[sweetwoodmaple]

...and safer than gasoline and more legal than napalm. 8O 8O :D

How do you use this to light the fire? In from the front doors or up from underneath the grates?

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

I get bags of shredded paper from paper shredders and put kiddling on top and stack wood on top of them. I use a small propane torch and light it across the front of the bag of paper and then crank up the blower and it is roaring in about 3 seconds. Takes a total of about 10 to 15 seconds to light and make it roar.

[Russ]

Sweetwoodmaple, your first guess is correct... we stack the wood, usually a pallet or two along with some round wood, in the firebox; light the torch; and prop it just inside the firebox, centered so we can shut the doors as much as possible to prevent smoke from coming back. In previous years, we would open the back door on the arch, by the chimney, and light crumpled newspaper in back to "prime" the flue with heat and create a draft. This year, we have a fan to create a forced draft in the chimney.