Free Firelighters

[@wojciechcieslukowski1974]

Thank You for this video. I couldn't agree more with Your words: One needs firelighters that really work. Every time I use frying pan I wipe any leftover fat, be it lard, butter, vegetable oils or olive oil, with a tissue and store it in a jar. I even wipe empty sardines tins or butter wrapping paper. It never let me down. Wast not want not. Cheers.

[@WoodFiresWithVince]

Well, that is interesting and very practical. In the old days nothing was wasted. I do sometimes pour a little leftover fat onto the cardboard firelighters - I don't remember if I said that in the video! Thanks for your thoughts, All best, Vince

[@cooking9764]

I found a December 2014 one page article from Real Simple magazine titled "Build a Better Fire" and googled the author.......so glad you have a yt.

[@WoodFiresWithVince]

It's good to hear that the piece is still circulating, and you are very welcome - enjoy the channel! Vince

[@judyofthewoods]

I will try some of the different paper starters, especially the concertina. What I've done with paper so far is to make twists with Kraft packing paper, make a knot in the middle and dunk the ends into molten candle wax. I've been collecting candle drips and ends and put them into a small pot for that purpose and melt the wax on a mildly hot area of the wood burner on top of a s/s plate. I do the dunking off the stove to prevent drips. A friend uses old cooking fat like lard or dripping. Birch twigs aren't always as happy as the bark to catch fire instantly, but still makes good "tindling" - a cross between kindling and tinder. Glossy paper (and even some office paper!) is really bad. I've never used it for a starter, but have burned a few pieces that were not fit for recycling. Never again - it stinks of burning polystyrene. I'm convinced some papers have a very thin plastic surface, even when it doesn't appear to have it.

[@WoodFiresWithVince]

Hi Judy, I have a store of old candle wax and plan to dunk very warm/hot cones into the melted wax. I want most of the wax to run off and be absorbed by the cones . . . but I haven't got around to it yet. My mother-in-law's paper plaits were very neat and functional - I made a real mess of the demo! Hope you are well and all set for winter. Vince

[@brassmonkey01]

Wow! I used to make the concertina ones as a child, I'd forgotten all about them! My usual newspaper method learned from my mum is to loosely roll a sheet diagonally and fold it onto itself in a similar way to the concertina method, again loosely so it gets plenty of air. I've also used the xmas cracker method, but with some wood shavings in the middle section.

[@WoodFiresWithVince]

That is so good to hear. My mother-in-law is the only person I have seen make them, and hers were so beautiful and neat. She said she made most during the war when everything was in short supply. Of course the newspaper was so much better then for fire making. I like the wood shaving filling! All best, Vince

[@wayneberry8703]

Hi Vince, I love your passion for wood heating and all that goes with it. I have exactly the same passion. All my friends tell me that I’m a bit obsessed, just a little, but like you, I just love it.

[@WoodFiresWithVince]

Hi Wayne, Interesting - my mother always said I was obsessed! But such a good subject to be obsessed about! Vince

[@wayneberry8703]

@@WoodFiresWithVince Hi Vince, absolutely obsessed mate 👍🏼. Today I cut a few more rounds off a dead tree that we had set aside during some clearing and loaded my trailer full of fairly dry Stringybark! A beautiful hardwood.

[@oscarv2062]

I've had success using dryer lint combined with toilet rolls. Thanks for all your videos, they are enjoyable to watch. Love your passion for all things wood heat!

[@WoodFiresWithVince]

Hi - you are the first person who I have heard from who uses toilet rolls! And yes, drier lint is a great fire started. Have a good winter. Best wishes, Vince

[@oscarv2062]

Thanks Vince, you as well@@WoodFiresWithVince

[@oscarv2062]

Thanks Vince, you as well@@WoodFiresWithVince

[@gersonduran4451]

We miss your videos, should make more often. I’ve been using them and they work great for me

[@WoodFiresWithVince]

Morning, thanks for that. I would love to make more - I will try and find the time to - glad they are useful, have a good winter. All best, Vince

[@gersonduran4451]

@@WoodFiresWithVince thanks for taking the time to make the videos and to reply. I know it’s tough finding free time. Just wanted to let you know that I’ve seen each and every one of your videos and I’ve been following your advices. You are a wise man and very knowledgeable about the topic. Thanks for what you do.

[@WoodFiresWithVince]

Hi Gerson, my thanks again - decent of you to say so. Have a good winter. All best. Vince

[@sandwichboy188]

these videos are great vince, used the axe instead of hatchet to make kindling at the weekend and it worked 100 times better, great advice!

[@WoodFiresWithVince]

Thanks - it's great to have some skill at the various techniques. The best thing is to keep all your fingers and both thumbs! Vince

[@robertgoddard565]

I’ve just found this channel, I’ve watch pretty much every video now. I love all things fire craft wise. Even better that a fellow Norfolk chap is behind them. Vince, perhaps I’ll see you around one day.

[@WoodFiresWithVince]

Hi Robert, a fine place Norfolk! Thanks for your comment and yes maybe our paths will cross one day. Have a good Christmas. All best. Vince

[@SoundsFromSound]

Where can I purchase your book? Your videos are incredible. 🙏

[@WoodFiresWithVince]

Morning, thank you - very decent of you to say. The Wood Fire Handbook is on Amazon, Waterstones, etc - I would say get the second edition as there is a bit more in it, and things like top down fires which are not in the first edition. I hope you enjoy it - All best wishes, Vince

[@SoundsFromSound]

@@WoodFiresWithVince Wonderful thanks for that! Ordered the hardcover, can't wait to read it. You've inspired me to really immerse myself in the world of wood! 🤙

[@WoodFiresWithVince]

It is a very good world to be immersed in! All best wishes, Vince

[@Umski]

Will have to try the orange peel trick(sod the compost) - as much as I like burning copies of the in-laws’ Daily Mails to get the fire going, it leaves a lot of ash 😬

[@WoodFiresWithVince]

You'll like the orange peel, well dried by the stove first, get it right in the heart of the kindling. The last time I looked at a Daily Mail the first 17 pages were all bad news stories!

[@Umski]

@@WoodFiresWithVince Thanks, yeah I've already got the kids on a diet of oranges, peeling snowflakes or me 🤣 The Daily Mail burns well as it's filled with so much hatred 😂

[@goinblinddoggone]

​@@WoodFiresWithVince I've been using all my citrus fruit peelings to light my log burner but have learned from this video not to dry them on my hob! The first few did get charred, so I would put them on a trivet, but I reckon your advice will improve the performance of future peelings. Lovely channel thank you Vince.

[@WoodFiresWithVince]

Yes the peel works well, and down in front of the stove gets it bone dry and keeps the oils. All best, Vince

[@Umski]

@@WoodFiresWithVince been doing this for a few weeks now and have a good supply of peelings sat in front of the stove going dry - along with some cheese wax, it's fascinating how they sizzle and go up once they catch - nice tip 👍

[@oldie121]

Thanks for sharing

[@WoodFiresWithVince]

Thanks Ed, no real magic in this video, just some simple practical stuff that I find works. All best, Vince

[@DanielThomas234]

Dried orange peel is new idea to me. Once dried, will they keep indefinitely? V useful video. Especially that thicker wood that you sliced. Wish I had a few of those! Another useful tinder is the head of old Rosebay Willowherb wild plants gone to seed around late summer in Ireland and UK. Grows everywhere pretty much. Takes a while to gather a lot of it but is like cotton wool once dried and won’t let you down.👍🏻

[@WoodFiresWithVince]

Hi Daniel, Yes the peel will keep, but the oils in it do evaporate out so it is best to dry them and use them as a routine. You're right about many other dead plants. When camping I use dead cow parsley, hogweed and mugwort in my storm kettle - often quicker than getting sticks. And yes the willow herb would be great too. All best. Vince

[@jonnygunner65]

Are you taking the pith?😂

[@mikomontanari]

in Italy win the Alps we use also wooden fruit crates composed by very thin wooden foils. Thanks ! ( maybe in uk you'e only plastic fruit crates!)

[@WoodFiresWithVince]

That sounds good. Yes most fruit is in plastic here now - sometimes strawberries come in wooden 'punnets'. I do also save my ice cream sticks - and by the end of summer there are loads! All best wishes, Vince

[@jeffroberts760]

Are fallen pine cones dry enough or do they need time?

[@WoodFiresWithVince]

I would keep them under cover to open and dry out a bit - unless they are collected on a fine, hot dry day. I keep mine indoors for a week or so to bring them down to about 10% mc before using them.