A discovery...

[sillyoldmare]

This probably is not 'approved', but it has been LIFE CHANGING... 

After several Very. Bad. Experiences with propane torches-- bought locally through WONDERFUL Ace Hardware, and one via Tractor Supply, (which I returned IMMEDIATLEY-- after it being a FLAMETHROWER...)    I went out on a limb... 

Short version-- some days it takes between 15-20 minutes to start my stove.  And that really,really doesn't seem right.  I have had TWO propane torches be REALLY scary.  And I work for the Fire Dept-- soooo... it takes a LOT to scare me.  I *do* need to put a better chimney cap on, but most days when I want to use the stove, the draft is amazing...   

I also am slightly in search of alternatives-- there HAS to be a way to start this sucker without propane.  What happens when there is no propane?  I live in a place where during the Ice Storm of '98, propane ran out FAST.  Pellets were easy to come by (we are a major source,) but propane... yeah.  Soooo... 

I was grocery shopping and saw in the sesaonal aisle these fire starters-- SLIM little slice thingies... "Diamond Strike-a-fire"  In theory, you don't even need a match.  What I noticed, was, it appeared it would slide right into the basket.  HHMMM.  Price was SO VERY RIGHT... ($3 ish??? ) so I grabbed a box of 8 on a whim. 

AND MY LIFE IS CHANGED.    My stove starts in mere minutes.  Draft-- WHOOSH.  And then she fires right up.  That little slice of firestarter slides right into the basket-- I start it with either a candle-lighter, or a fireplace match.    She starts fast, the draft, then nice and hot.  Not TOO hot.  It is IDEAL.  I am not sure there is a downside?    ???    I recently discovered you don't even have to slide it IN to the basket-- you can just slide it under.  It is SO MUCH MORE EFFICIENT than a propane torch.  :-o 

Please, tell me if I'm doing something really dangerous, or wrong... they have a 'life' of 8 minutes or so... it gets the pellets burning SO much better than the propane torch I've been using... which was downright dangerous.  (First one wouldn't SHUT OFF after only a few months of use... -_-   Second one had similar issues...  Most popular brand, the Ace Hardware stood by them-- but I am NOT a fan.  I got a more heavy-duty torch from TSC-- and that sucker wasn't a torch, it was a flame thrower which was terrifying... "pencil torch" my @ss. >:(    )  

Anyway.   LIFE CHANGING.  And, if you have a great, reliable propane torch-- GREAT-- if nothing else? These are an AMAZING backup.  NO match even needed.  You can strike on the box, slide it in and just slide under the basket.  

I'm sure someone will tell me if I'm going to burn my house down... so far-- I cannot see any way I will.   EXCELLENT backup plan.  

[edd anderson]

I have struggled with the amt of time it takes to start my old model
stove also. what I have learned is to begin with a 1500 watt hot air
gun. I use it to pre-warm the flue a bit and get air flowing up the
chimney. then I use the propane torch but I place several pellets on
the shelf in front of the basket . when the torch ignites them there
is an increase in the heat produced which I can aim at the bottom of
the basket and up the flue. the stove starts very quickly this way.

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[Heather Mazzella]

Thanks for the tip. I’m interested to see what Gary says but this could be a game changer for me. I use the small I would say camping propane tanks from Lowe’s & bought their attachment head. It’s easy to use & has a direct flame but with two big dogs & a 3yr old running around I do get nervous since lighting the stove becomes the most interesting thing in the world to them. Thanks again for sharing will definitely have to look out for these. 

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 13, 2021, at 10:27 PM, sillyoldmare <sillyo...@gmail.com> wrote:



--

[sillyoldmare]

I have seen the hot air gun recommendation-- but my POINT of the stove
is to be off grid. I got it because I work 12 hr shifts in Public
Safety-- and the worse the storm, the earlier I have to go in and
longer I have to stay--and odds are-- power is GOING to go out. Wood
stove needs feeding while I'm gone... Traditional pellet stoves you're
outta luck, unless you have battery backup, then battery & solar-- but
of COURSE the Wiseway was the best solution... except... for the
starting thing.

Heat gun uses-- *electricity.* And too much for my solar setup.
(which, yes, I have-- but it's backup, not primary, at this point.)
they are Energy vampires. And-- the case where I don't have propane,
I prolly definitely don't have power. ;)

Going to get the $$ chimney cap on come spring... but I'm ridiculously
happy with these silly little firestarters for now.

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[Gary Wisener]

I don't see any reason why a fire starter  Would be dangerous As it is burning inside the stove and it gets a lot hotter with the pellets I think you have  Found a winner Gary

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[Gary Wisener]

By the way You're stating But it takes 20 minutes to start your stove reconfirms My suggestion for a vacu stack You definitely have a down draft in your chimney when it is cold Gary

On Sun, Feb 14, 2021, 7:36 AM sillyoldmare <sillyo...@gmail.com> wrote:

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