Fire Starters or Fatwood Bad For Oven?

[WaWaZat]

I've been using a couple small squares of non-toxic Fire Starters (Diamond Strike-a-Fire) and kindling to fire my oven. Just bought a bag of Fatwood which is a 100% natural, high-resin pine.

So I'm wondering if either of these 2 products produce any ill-effects on my oven.... long-term or short. i.e. The Fire Starters use a wax... could this affect the oven floor?

The Fatwood is a high resin pine... can toxins from burning this be absorbed into the oven?

[egalecki]

I use a little piece of firestarter. I break up the longer sticks into chunks smaller than a piece of charcoal. If you use the "top down" method, and put the kindling on top and the firestarter just below it- wedge it in there, and then light it, you'll get a good fire nearly every time. I haven't noticed a problem with buildup since I use such a small piece, and I wouldn't think that a piece of fatwood would make a problem either.

I know purists would say you don't need one, but I hate having to stand there making sure it's lit.

[dmun]

I just keep stuffing crumpled newspaper in a cavity in the laid fire pile. I keep doing it until the fire starts to crackle and roar. Must be the pyromaniac in me. Besides, newspaper is free. Contrary to all reason, they keep dumping the stuff on my steps.

[WaWaZat]

Since I'm the one doing most of the prep work as well as being in charge of the oven, quick -n- easy is the best. I tried newspaper during curing & it was a HUGE mess... never used it again.

dmun... so are you saying the fire starters or Fatwood are not good??

[Archena]

I think he's saying he's cheap. Being cheap myself, I have a soft spot for 'free'.

I use food wrappers and cardboard packages. Don't really have to save much - a tissue box stuffed with twigs and a couple taco wrappers as a 'fuse' tucked under the pile is usually plenty. That saves newspaper for the more important litter box liner....

[WaWaZat]

Originally Posted by Archena

I think he's saying he's cheap. Being cheap myself, I have a soft spot for 'free'.

I use food wrappers and cardboard packages. Don't really have to save much - a tissue box stuffed with twigs and a couple taco wrappers as a 'fuse' tucked under the pile is usually plenty. That saves newspaper for the more important litter box liner....

Well a 4lb bag of Fatwood, about 100 7" pieces... enough to last me a year or 2!... is under $4! They are contained nicely in a bag and ready to light, stick under your logs and walk away confident your fire will start. The time savings is well worth the 4 bux!

Now if they were effecting my oven or food tastes somehow, then they wouldn't be worth it.

So far, no one with any evidence of ill-effects of these fire starters???

[blacknoir]

Do you get Fatwood at a store or online?

[WaWaZat]

Originally Posted by blacknoir

Do you get Fatwood at a store or online?

I got mine while at my local Menards (Home Center) the other day.

[Archena]

It's just high resin pine - shouldn't be a problem unless you burn a ton of it and build up creosote. But those little starters shouldn't cause any noticeable creosote in the chimney and the oven will burn off any residue easily.

[Tscarborough]

I hunted, cut, bundled and sold fat-lighter as a kid in North Carolina. Made good money too.