Fire starter, what is your recommendation

[lilranch2001]

Ive tried all different kinds of firestarters, from Bic to rechargeable fire starters, and have yet to find one that’s reliable when I need it.
Does anyone have a recommendation for a firestarter that is reliable without fighting it every time.

I don’t mind paying a decent price for it as long as it’s reliable and portable.

 

[Jstpssng]

What kind of fire are you starting? For my woodatove I use wooden matches or a Zippo. For burning brush I use my 100,000 btu propane torch.

 

[lilranch2001]

Just outside fires whatever I need, I tend to burn a lot of brush piles and trash in burn barrels or just a campfire.

I have propane torch as well, but that’s a pain in the azz hauling a propane tank around to different locations I want just a small, portable easily lit torch is what I’m looking for.

I’ve even bought a couple, soldering, propane, torches, but not had much luck with those either.

maybe there isn’t a good torch, but if anybody knows about one, it’s gonna be on here.

 

[civilian]

Similar to Jstpssng, propane weed burner torch for brush fires. And I use a small 1lb butane bottle torch to light the weed burner or other smaller fires. Jon

 

[BnRidge]

Instead of small bic type lighters I went with small butane chefs torches. Some are cheap, some not, but they all light easy and burn hot. For brush and grass fires, I use a weed burner with a 1lb propane canister. Lots of heat, long handle, difficult to hurt the end of it reaching in to light diesel etc.

 

[jk96]

For hard to light brush piles a water fire extinguisher filled with diesel fuel. Just make sure it's clearly marked as fuel for obvious reason.

 

[paulsharvey]

Cheap, self lighting propane torch (1 lbs green cylinders), some diesel, and either old paper/boxes, or Spanish mose.

 

[paulsharvey]

A Rigid 18V cordless leaf blower does a lot to get the coals to really burn too

 

[civilian]

I really ike paul's idea. Wonder where I can find one of those water fire extinguisher. Don't know if a garden sprayer work? Jon

 

[Mtsoxfan]

Long "neck" Bic lighter. They cost more than an import, but they last longer...
Old oil helps too.

 

[RjCorazza]

I just use diesel and a 15 minute road flare. Just chuck the flare in when the fire is rolling good.

 

[ericb2400]

That’s what I use. A road flare. They burn HOT. Don’t let them drip on you.

 

[ponytug]

I prefer not to use road flares as they contain perchlorate which I think that I can do without in my groundwater.

I prefer using kindling and something flammable, but I have used torches big and small. I like the leaf blower better, once there is enough of a fire going. I am sure it depends on what you are trying to burn and the conditions (material, water content, and weather...).

All the best,

Peter

 

[paulsharvey]

Dont under estimate the leaf blower for restarting it the next day, as well as getting the coals to completely process into ash.

I haven't tried the charcoal and leaf blower approach to stumps yet; but ive heard of being able to burn the stump well below the ground level hitting the coals with blower every 30 minutes or so, to keep it burning.

 

[paulsharvey]

Basically this; i use the Coleman green propane tanks in the camping section; like $2 or $4; and it works good on bolts, fire starting, charcoal, ect. I also like thats its horizontal, so you can let it "cook" on a bolt or other stubborn part.

 

[lilranch2001]

I have had absolutely no luck, refilling butane lighters of any sort.
I’m not sure if I’m doing something wrong or they are just not refillable.
I have a couple of the blue fire type torches PaulHarvey listed in my tractor supply shopping cart. I guess I’ll try a couple of them.

After all Paul always gave me the “rest of the story” in my younger days during my lunch breaks, hopefully he is not steering me wrong this time.

 

[Popgadget]

I use this-

https://www.outdoorswiththemorgans.com/product-page/five-1-75-lb-bags

For fireplace, firepit or other small fires.
Light it with a match or butane grill lighter. Works extremely well.

For a large brush fire, a hudson sprayer with diesel fuel to soak the brush, then chuck a road flare into it.

 

[WM75Guy]

For my woodpiles I use a Duraflame fireplace log. Put it at the bottom of the pile on the downwind side. That way the pile burns slowly into the wind. No petroleum products needed.

 

[quicksandfarmer]

When I plane wood I save the shavings. I mix them with used motor oil. I light the mix with a plumber's torch.

Once the fire is to the point where it won't blow out, I apply the battery leaf blower. It goes like a flame thrower.

 

[rangerfredbob]

I have one of those blue flame torches, they're really nice and compact... myself for my burn pile I have a weed burner torch with a propane tank on a hand truck and a flint igniter on a rope attached to the handle...