Recently when I was having my chimney swept, I talked to the man about pine needles. I had paid him extra to blow those that had collected off of my roof. "That's a good practice," he commented. "I use them to start my fires; I don't even use newspaper," he added.
I decided to try the same thing in my own fireplace. I had a large amount of dry pine needles stored in a plastic garbage can. I used them under a handful under the kindling, and they worked beautifully. They blazed right away.
What do you use as fire starters?
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That's great that you can use pine needles as fire starters. I've heard of people using pine cones, too. As for me, well, I don't light fires, so, don't really have a need for fire starters. :) I use the pine needles for mulch in the garden.
ReplyDeleteYes, I've used pine cones, too, Bless. Now I leave them for the wildlife, because I notice that they get gnawed on during the night. I mulch my pine trees with some of the needles, too.
DeleteI bet the smoke smelt nice. I used dried lavender stalks after I rub all the flowers off. I bet it smells lovely for a few minutes while they catch the kindling.
ReplyDeleteHi Cherie, That's a great way to use your dried lavender stalks. I never thought of that...
DeleteJust gas central heating around here. I'd love a fire and am very envious (in a nice sort of way). :-)
ReplyDeletexx
I had gas for over twenty years, too, Joy. Always dreamed of a large, brick fireplace, and now I have one.
DeleteI have never thought of pine needles as a fire starter. I will have to ask my sons if they ever used them back in their Boy Scout camping days. Our fire starter is turning a key which turns on the gas in the fireplace!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds easy, Anita. Mine has a gas light, but I turn it off once the wood is burning on its own. Just love sitting by the fire...
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