Finally got it!

[sthomas77]

So for the past few weeks, I've been trolling this site gathering all kinds of info...much of it for my woodstove. And I've limped along making fires as it's gotten colder, trying to learn the ways of wood heat. And tonight, I finally got a fire on the first try, getting the right amount of paper, fat wood, arrangement, etc. So, thanks to all for your help!

Sean

<a href="http://s172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/thom1048/?action=view&current=woodstove.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/thom1048/woodstove.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[MotorSeven]

Criss cross? Small wood first, newspaper in the middle, then bigger stuff?

I've tried the large log first, then smaller, etc....never have much luck.

RD

 

[laynes69]

Large splits on bottom, small splits on top, kindling on top of that then some newspaper, or pine cones. Top down works everytime! It won't collapse on you and puts the least amount of soot in the chimney. Makes for a quick hot start.

 

[sthomas77]

No...criss-cross didnt work...I use a larger piece in the back (full 1/4 or 1/3, softer wood) with the paper rolled loosely against the log, with the fat wood making kind of a tent from the front of the stove to the log. Then, in about 10 minutes, I throw a heavier piece crossed on the top. Flames right up.
As an aside, I am amazed at how much heat this thing pumps!

 

[Happyjack]

Good for you! Make sure your wood is dry. Is that an Avalon Stove? what sort of burn times are you getting out of it?

I learned alot at a site called **********.

 

[MotorSeven]

Noooooo, not the teepee.........

I've never had any luck that way either. Criss cross or nuthin:greenchainsaw:

RD

 

[Steve NW WI]

Atta boy!

Now ditch that bic for either a long handled butane "grill lighter" (if you're new school), or good ole strike em anywhere kitchen matches (old school, my world!)

Sure saves on the extra crispy fingertips!

BTW - I confess to being a fire starting cheater. Just a small splash of diesel fuel (NEVER GASOLINE!) works, first time, every time. A gallon jug takes me through most of the winter, but my stove runs 24/7 anytime the high temp is below 30 or so (a lot up here in WI!)

 

[Brian VT]

Yah, ditch the Bic ! LOL
For starting up I sure like my can of propane with the push-button igniter on some dry splitting-scrap kindling and some small dry splits.
Good and hot, quick. No paper, no fatwood, no teepee, no fuss. Torch it, leave the door open a crack (do not leave unattended !), let the flue get up to 600F+, and you're in buisiness quick with little smoke or creosote formation. From there you just have to play it how your stove and wood likes it.

It's tough this time of year here when it's too warm to burn 24/7 but cold enough that the oil furnace would run through 15 hrs. of the day. Starting a burn from nothing sucks. I burn a really hot small load to start, then 3 splits to build a base of coals, then pack it for overnight @ 9:00. In the morning add 3 splits to keep the furnace off until the day temp. comes up. Come home from work, repeat.
Burning 24/7 is so much easier.

 

[sthomas77]

Yes, it's an Avalon..their small model (18" firebox) I havent really run it full on for more than a few hours, although I've come to it ~13 hours after doing a 1/2 load and there are still enough coals to fire it up again. As it gets colder, I'll get a better feel for burn times, although its rated for 8hrs. I def want a better lighter! I lost the hair on my knuckles almost immediately! But being that today was also the first day of having a real tool set (no more using a fat stick)..I havent gotten to it yet.

 

[Bowtie]

So for the past few weeks, I've been trolling this site gathering all kinds of info...much of it for my woodstove. And I've limped along making fires as it's gotten colder, trying to learn the ways of wood heat. And tonight, I finally got a fire on the first try, getting the right amount of paper, fat wood, arrangement, etc. So, thanks to all for your help!

Sean

<a href="http://s172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/thom1048/?action=view&current=woodstove.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/thom1048/woodstove.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Nice! I have the same ash bucket as well! (I use a bic or a mapp gas torch to light my fireplace)

 

[Brian VT]

Nice! I have the same ash bucket as well! (I use a bic or a mapp gas torch to light my fireplace)

Same bucket here too. I tried my mapp gas torch but it blows ashes all over the place. LOL. I'll stick with propane.

 

[Split this!]

I don't use paper, I get a pack of those fire starters, they cost about $2.99 and there's approximately 8 bricks in a pack. I break small pieces off and put one of the pieces under my kindling, it works great with no smoke like paper. I can make one pack of eight last just about the whole season! Their made of woodchips and wax I believe, someone told me, if you were to burn the whole brick it could create a problem with the vapors, but I use such a small piece, it has never been a problem for me in the past ten years.

 

[CrappieKeith]

Looks like you got good dry wood....that's a plus!

 

[Coldfront]

I also like a top down fire put the bigger splits on the bottom, and I also like the fire starter thing, but what I use is the Duraflame Log you buy at Wal-mart (not the one that makes crackling noise) cost about $3 and I just shave little chunks off of it with a hatchet, it is almost like putty you can roll it into a ball a little smaller than the size of a ping pong ball and one Dura Log lasts me all winter, put a little small kindling on top of that light the chunk of Duraflame with a small propane torch takes about 5 seconds, and you are done. Takes less than 10 mins. for me to build a fire that will last hours. That little chunk of Duraflame log will burn for about 15 mins. I never use paper anymore since I found this method.