DIY Firelighters for Wood Burner

paperclap

Hi all,

After cutting up a load of firewood, I’ve got a rubble bag of sawdust.

Was hoping to make some DIY firelighters.

Pop some sawdust in an ice cube tray, heat up some wax, pour the wax over the sawdust, and wait to harden.

But, I’m sure I’ve read there are certain waxes that are bad for wood burners (well, we have a multi stove).

What’s the best wax to use? Hopefuly not beeswax as it’s a fortune!

Thanks!

knightstyle

We just used to put loose sawdust into an old paper bag and use that.  If you compress the sawdust it burns slower but not so good as a firelighter.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

Interesting question, there are bricks of fuel made from coffee and DIYing it videos say to mix with wax.

I thought it wouldn’t be good for the stove to burn wax.

Perhaps one for @FreeBear

Mutton_Geoff

Tumble dryer fluff inside a toilet roll tube

Ectophile

If you can't light a fire with scrunched up newspaper and kindling, you're doing something wrong.

FreeBear

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head said:

Interesting question, there are bricks of fuel made from coffee and DIYing it videos say to mix with wax.

I thought it wouldn’t be good for the stove to burn wax.

Damit. My name gets a mention again...

Wax won't damage the stove itself. What will happen though, is the wax vapours will condense out on the cold liner. As the liner heats up in use, there is a risk that the wax melts again, catches alight, and triggers a chimney fire. If you have been burning damp wood, or any old crappy scraps, there will be a build up of creosote which burns very nicely once there is something to get it going. But then.... You should be having your flue swept on a regular basis to get rid of any creosote deposits.

Apodemus

Ectophile said:

If you can't light a fire with scrunched up newspaper and kindling, you're doing something wrong.

...like reading the wrong newspaper.  They don't all burn well nowadays.

goldfinches

I did read in a memoir about narrow boating that a cotton wool ball burns for ages, I've never tested it so try it at your own risk.
My parents used to get us children to roll up the pages of the Guardian and the Observer and then twist them up into a ball and tuck both ends in but that was before they changed to the Berliner format and almost no-one buys papers anymore. If you live near a Waitflower you could snap up a copy of their Weekend paper, it looks as though it would burn nicely.

paperclap

Ectophile said:

If you can't light a fire with scrunched up newspaper and kindling, you're doing something wrong.

It’s not about that. It’s about giving things a second use.

paperclap

knightstyle said:

We just used to put loose sawdust into an old paper bag and use that.  If you compress the sawdust it burns slower but not so good as a firelighter.

Have seen this done before. Certainly seems an easier solution!

paperclap

FreeBear said:

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head said:

Interesting question, there are bricks of fuel made from coffee and DIYing it videos say to mix with wax.

I thought it wouldn’t be good for the stove to burn wax.

Damit. My name gets a mention again...

Wax won't damage the stove itself. What will happen though, is the wax vapours will condense out on the cold liner. As the liner heats up in use, there is a risk that the wax melts again, catches alight, and triggers a chimney fire. If you have been burning damp wood, or any old crappy scraps, there will be a build up of creosote which burns very nicely once there is something to get it going. But then.... You should be having your flue swept on a regular basis to get rid of any creosote deposits.

We have our chimney swept once a year. Though have thought about buying myself a kit and doing it myself! Not only save a bucket load of money, but also do it twice a year perhaps.