A quick review of good wood fire starting technique, so here it is for all to enjoy.

• If there are ashes from the last fire, I use the shovel to push them to the back and sides (if many fire's ashes, I remove some)
• Next, I make what I call a bird's nest with kindling (small twigs and sticks)
• I put a tightly rolled and twine tied newspaper in the middle
• I put a firestarter brick (about the size of a chalkboard eraser--24 to a $10 box at WallyMart) in front of the newspaper
• I put two fatwood sticks in diagonally in at the sides
• Finally, one or two large pieces of wood on top-- try to criss cross everything to create air pockets
• Now light the firestarter and the newspaper and viola!
• Add a large piece of wood every 30-45 minutes and you are good to go

I really don't like using Duraflame or similar logs-- they are extremely expensive.

The same concept works outside in the chiminea-- but no firestarter brick and no fatwoods.  I use charcoal lighter fluid to start the party out there.

This post appeared on DivorcedDadFrugalDad.com, here is the link to the that post, How I Start a Fire . . .   

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Related Posts:
Woodheat Tips: What to Burn Indoors and What to Burn Outdoors  
Woodheat Tips: How to Sweep a Chimney (Part 1)  
Woodheat Tips: How to Sweep a Chimney (Part 2)  
Woodheat Tips: How to Make Newspaper Fire Starting Rolls 

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DDFD believes that self reliance and self sufficiency are the roads to individual freedom and he is an advocate for personal privacy.  He is dedicated to living a quality life through frugality, personal growth and productivity, and defensive entrepreneurship.  He also enjoys cooking from scratch and fishing.