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If you can't light a wood fire with one of these you may have other issues. I see some reviews state one of these didn't do it for their fire or they needed several. I've started fires in my stove and fireplaces for years with everything from newspaper to starter logs and these are the best bang for the buck I have ever used... period!
I purchased these in November 2009 because I wanted to see how more than a few worked before I did a review. About half a box later I can state I have never been unable to start a fire using only one of these starters. I burn soft pine, and harder pine like Tamarack, and always use kindling and dry wood. If there is any downside to these it's you normally can't start one with a single match. I bought a case of disposable butane lighters so it's not a problem anymore. I have these starters and some lighters in the vehicles for an emergency fire. We live on the high desert of Idaho and weather changes are fast and brutal but I'm more than comfortable depending on these starters should I ever be caught away from home and need a quick fire. You can even cook, using one after another, if you're without dry wood. I used the bricks before and that's a real waste so if you know how to start a fire these are a fine investment. If you have paraffin wax and sawdust you can make your own... I'm just too old and lazy to do so.
I don't mean to be rude but you must have some clue as to how to build a fire before you try using these starters. You aren't going to get far by lighting one and throwing several logs on it. The start of a good fire begins with building it correctly. Start by building it with dry kindling. Starting a fire without kindling is a tough chore when you can easily get some using a hatchet to split some of your small logs down into thinner pieces. Larger logs should only be used once the fire is hot and has a bed of coals. Using some dry split logs after the kindling starts is good because split logs dry faster inside, and have more surface area to expose to the flame, then those that aren't split.
Don't lay the kindling directly on the starter. Arrange the kindling a little above it and lay them like a series of X's so the flame can rise between several pieces of wood. You'll have a fire in a few minutes if the kindling is thin and dry. Once it starts add a few larger (thicker) pieces of kindling, then some split wood and when it's nice and hot add a small log then your larger pieces later. I added a pic of my fire if the words didn't quite explain it properly.
Lastly... you should only burn wood that is properly cured. I buy my logs already cut so I usually let them cure outdoors for about 6 months before I split them and then they're inside for about a week before they hit the fire. Store your cut logs under some protection from the weather to keep them dry. Fresh cut logs should cure for about 1 year. I'm sure you already know that kindling is just slivers of wood off a log you get by cutting it down... a 4" log cut into quarters is about right but don't use one with knots on it or it won't split easily. Cut up enough kindling for about 4 fires, keep it inside, replace it as you use it and you should always be able to start a fire quickly and easily.
In the normal household wood stove or fireplace you really should be splitting anything over about 3" in diameter. Most logs are about 6" to 10" and unless you have a bonfire going they won't burn very well and definitely can't be started with one of these starters. If you build your fire correctly you can light it with a single match... but this is a whole lot easier.
I had another case in my Cart but the price just went up $4 to while I was writing this review but it just dropped back to which is about .25 each. The better deal is 350 at $59.97 + $7.99 shipping ($67.96 total) from an Amazon seller Bargain Outfitters for about .19 each... that's like getting ¾ of a case of 100 free. That's a lot of starters so I just bought another case of 100.
If these are any worse than those I purchased last year I'll update this review.
Update 1/22/11... just used one from a new box I received a few weeks ago and it worked fine. I don't see any difference in the starters or their performance... unlike what another reviewer stated. I previously used Strike-A-Fire by Diamond and, again, these are hands down the best starters I have ever used and they are very cost effective.
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I purchased this product when the gentleman that installed our replacement
fire box demonstrated how easy it is to start a fire with them. Compared
to other products this is very inexpensive, less than $0.30 a nugget. Some
products, like paste, blocks, and sticks are three to five times more expensive than the nuggets. Best of all they work with small wood for a
quick start, then add the bigger stuff. You can, and I do, carry these in your backpack and/or car in case you get stranded; I usually put a couple in a small 'Ziploc' plastic bag along with a small box of matches.
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Bought this box a year ago (January 2009) and they were excellent. Just bought a new box and first thing, noticed they were different (lighter in weight and color). And yes, the new nuggets were much worse. I guess they changed the formula/ingredients. They burned up quickly and didn't go a good job at all.
Honest reviews on Lightning Nuggets N100SEB Firestarters Super Economy Box of
After years of using almost every type of firestarter, discovered the Nuggets and they perform as advertised plus they claim to be enviro-friendly. May be but all I know is that they do the thing no paper (other than to heat the flue) logs catch within 5 10 minutes. Nice to find something that actually meets the claims of the manufacturer.
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Bought these for our wood stove and one will get a nice hot fire started, so long as the wood is properly placed for maximum airflow. We use one with a bit of kindling or junk mail. Been using these for a few weeks now and only had to use 2 one time as the wood was considerably wetter & one didn't do the trick. They are roughly 1.5" long half-circles and burn for approximately 10 minutes (in our stove, anyway). Very pleased with these and with the free shipping. Fire starters are hard to find in our local stores, especially for this price. Highly recommend!
