The best Fire Starters: Reddit reviews

From 3.5 billion Reddit comments

Eh, most of those wood burning cons only applies if you have an open box, or a crappy insert.

Fully enclosed wood stoves and zero clearance inserts don't have the the open-flue/cold house or closed-flue/smoky issues.

Lightning fires is as easy as putting in a safe fire starter and walking away https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000KC009Y/

There's not a lot of tending with good fireboxes.

But yeah, having to manage wood/critters you can't necessarily get out of.

--

I have a newer 2015 EPAII zero clearance and it's amazing. Put a couple logs in there, put a fire starter on it, light it, open flue, close doors and walk away. At full flue open I'm putting a log on it once an hour to keep it around 500 degrees. I had it going probably 5 out of 7 days this winter - The heat of the fire keeps the glass clean, so no need to clean it more than twice a year. The ash removal is a weekly thing, but not bad. The re-burning of smoke pretty much turns everything in to heat. The chimney cleaner was just out and said to call back in another 3 to 5 years as they only removed about a half a solo cup of soot.

--

If OP is looking at net-new install, and has a easy/cheap way to get wood, zero clearance or a stove hands down my choice.

Most battery cases are for sets of 2 or more. I use a waterproof matchstick case. They are cheap and come in a large variety of types. Got mine at Walmart for like $1.50 and they sell on amazon too.

Just found this too, seems like matchstick holders work well: https://www.reddit.com/r/flashlight/comments/3olchk/18650_case_a_waterproof_match_holder/

Here's one on amazon for cheap: https://www.amazon.com/Coghlans-8746-Plastic-Match-Box/dp/B001P69PWM

>boil that large amount of water with for a good few minutes

That's going to be tough with solid fuel. Wind will heavily affect the ability to boil, so will outside temps. If you want a more efficient system - consider removing the requirement for solid fuel.

​

Esbit tablets are what you want

• https://www.amazon.com/Esbit-1300-Degree-Smokeless-Backpacking-Emergency/dp/B005NGMJLY

I have one of these that is longer and, I suspect easier to hold. I use it to light my msr windburner, which does not have a piezo lighter. It works just as well as a lighter.

https://www.amazon.com/Adjustable-Waterproof-Backpacking-Emergencies-Survival/dp/B00FVZ4IE8/ref=asc_df_B00FVZ4IE8/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=194884170462&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8577184863757573736&hvpone=&hvptwo...

For sure. My go to strategy for this is to quarter a log and then baton off sticks from the cut pieces. I then light one of these wax firestarter nuggets and stack my sticks made from dry wood on top of it. The nuggets burn for 15 minutes and light up everything. Boom. Fire.

All it costs in weight is an axe and a firestarter that weighs less than your cellphone.

Dunno if you care about all that but maybe it saves you some strain on your next trip.

Well, yeah they should rust, that's just the nature of the material... it's ferrous, that means it's iron. You should keep them dry, like a carbon steel knife.

But how are you breaking them? It's a chunk of metal, you must have arms like tree branches.

So, I looked them up on Amazon and the price has nearly doubled but I basically searched for ferro rod 6" by 1/2" and got this one for like $5.99 in like 2018.

Haven't used it tons but maybe a dozen times and I've had no issues. Maybe you abuse them much more than I do, it's not my primary means of starting a fire by any stretch of the imagination, more of a demonstration to teach or show off. (Don't use the striker, just use the edge of my Morakniv.)

I buy this one and it works great. Make sure you have your technique down too. Yes, it's just a drawing motion, but remember your angle needs to be tilted just right, otherwise it can create grooves in the rod, making it harder to strike over time. I learned this from experience. Learn from mine.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S6F4RDC/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_1NGMXAQFNE239Y9AV8N0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Also if you're really interested in going down the rabbit hole, check out a jerky gun. Ground beef jerky is super tender and ridiculously easy to make a ton of it.

LEM Products 468 Jerky Cannon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000SQFGRS/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_X7CC512RZ4BBZ8RJ4BPE?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

His chin/jaw looks to be about 60-70 matches, so 300 matches should be enough for the whole face.

Box of 320 matches - $2.45

Cheapest face paint on Amazon - $10

That said, that extra $7.55 is probably worth it.

we grew up with them and yeah they’re great, but just too expensive.

been using these fire starter nuggets for the last 2 years now and i’m a lifer for them. re basically semi spheres of the same thing. saw dust with some wax/resin holding them together. as long as you build you initial log pile properly, they work like a charm and are affordable. 1 box basically got me through the whole winter this year. throw 2 large pieces on the bottom of the stove as your base, one of these starters in the middle of the two, then put 2-3 medium and small pieces of wood that almost encase it in a chamber, then 3ish small tinder type pieces on top to close it off and that usually does it for me.

They also make these lil guys. Basically a lighter with out the butane.

https://www.amazon.com/Adjustable-Waterproof-Backpacking-Emergencies-Survival/dp/B00FVZ4IE8/ref=mp_s_a_1_14?crid=2QNA85YW5ZCL1&keywords=flint+sparker&qid=1642200793&sprefix=flint+sparker%2Caps%2C93&sr=8-14

I ended up doing the same. I realized immediately that the jerky cannon would only fit less than a foot of casing at a time. It’s pretty sweet, you fine grind meat and extrude it with a caulk gun looking thing onto a rack and you get super consistent round or flat jerky.

link

I keep tasting it and it’s wild how the flavor keeps changing. I’ve never smoked cheese but have heard that you leave it wrapped in the fridge and the taste changes so I’m guessing it’s like that.

I live in Florida. We got stacks of coleman isobutane canisters at Walmart. They're next to the mountain house meals.

Alcohol is a poor choice in cold climates and altitude. I'd just grab some esbit fuel tablets and Amazon Prime them to a pickup point on your way to Yosemite. They're allowed above 9k feet.

These look to be about the perfect size for my key chain set up. I'll be testing them soon.

Here is a larger version. I'll be keeping one of those in my survival backpack.

i hope no-one tells brushwood and murphy about https://www.amazon.com/bayite-Ferrocerium-Drilled-Survival-Emergency/dp/B00S6F4RDC/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=ferrocerium+rod&qid=1561632455&s=gateway&sr=8-2

Depends on what I'm doing.

Smoking (low and slow): I'll use a fire starter cube (sawdust and wax like this I'll break it in half and put them in a little depression in the lump, light and cover lightly with more lump. (Note: There are some purists who frown on the use of anything other than wood for starting a cook including paraffin. I don't agree with them but they have good reasons and I'd recommend you listen to them as well to get your own decision.)

For higher temp cooks (steaks, pizza, etc.) I'll use a chimney like this. to get a large portion of coals going. I use balled up newspaper for the "fuel" in the chimney to minimize chemicals.

Speaking of chemicals- NEVER (NEVER EVER NEVER!!!) use charcoal lighter fluids (including gasoline) in a BGE! This was beaten into my head by everyone I have met who owns a BGE. The chemicals can permeate the firebox and taint everything you cook afterward. I"m not aware if you can "burn it out" with a high temp burn and don't intend to find out.

Hope this helps!

Ahh good to know! Thank you, I will look again, I was about to buy a plastic one.

I think Im going with this one for now: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B000SQFGRS/?coliid=I26UVNX11DDSKG&colid=1JBNBSBQSAXHM&psc=0

You can buy external piezo ignitions, or tiny flint-wheel strikers. I have a UST micro sparkwheel that I use with my Pocket Rocket 2, and it packs securely in the bowl of my spork. (—but you can buy the UST micro sparkwheel, an aluminum capsule, and a few “light-me” firestarters all in one package at a brick-and-mortar store for the price Amazon charges for just the sparkwheel.)

If you are worried about propane/gas/explosions, look at the solid pellet stoves....they are little white cubes.

However, I have this and love it, though I'm not sure it meets your "leave in car" requirement.

You should get him a chimney starter. They get all the coals burning evenly in about 10 min.

I "cheat" and use a charcoal chimney to light a couple small handfuls of hardwood charcoal, and then pour the hot charcoal into my firepot and cover with coke / coal. Turn on the blower, and wait a few minutes for the coals / coke fully light (no more nasty colored smoke).

After watching a video I considered that, but went with a chimney firestarter instead. It's not so much a flamethrower as a blast furnace. Either way, have fun and enjoy.

You want to concentrate the heat but not over cook the items you are trying to sear. If you're crafty, you might be able to fashion something like the chimney starter. The Weber model is one of the larger ones you can get. http://www.amazon.com/Weber-7416-Rapidfire-Chimney-Starter/dp/B000WEOQV8

You just need that metal cylinder that will sit safely somewhere. Any grill grate that will fit on top without toppling over will work. VERY hot and saves on charcoal too.

My local Asian store carries these but I just don't have room for another grill. http://importfood.com/dao_cooker.html Perfect for searing and use with a WOK.

i just use rutlands. takes a few more minutes but works every time.

http://www.amazon.com/Rutland-Safe-Starter-Squares-144-Square/dp/B00138MO16/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1458658574&sr=8-1&keywords=rutland

I buy my own meat, grind it and make beef jerky using The Jerky Cannon

I have vacuum sealed, frozen jerky that is still good after 2 years.

I would guess that after defrosting, it would stay good for 6-12 months in a vacuum sealed bag - maybe a bit longer.

So part of my preps is a whole bunch of vacuum sealed, frozen jerky that I know will last quite a while after it is defrosted.

When I find beef on sale for cheap, I will make about 5 lbs of jerky and put in in the freezer, while taking out the oldest bag, defrosting and eating that one. Prep rotation is key.

I'd recommend the chimney and the fire starter cubes.

Collectively it's like $20, and they make life easy when you want to start the grill for a simple cook, or if you need to get some additional coals going on a long cook. (This wouldn't be normal since kamado grills hold temps forever... but for $20 it's nice to have the option of starting your coals outside the grill and adding them hot.... and since you're just now starting your BBQ life, there will be some... uhhmm... "learning opportunities" so why not have the proper tools on hand.)

I used this chimney, filled to the level of the top of the three holes on the side (so about 50%?). Then poured them over the basket, which was probably 2/3 full of unlit charcoal. How much should I have used?

I used to use BGE starters, currently use Rutland and in the future will use a paper towel/olive oil. I think next time I'll try the propane torch, though.

Charcoal Chimney is your friend.

Use newspaper, paper towels with veg oil, or the weber starter cubes. Never need lighter fluid again.

You should be able to pick one up at your favorite big box store or local hardware store.