Everything You Need to Know About Kindling Wood
Learning how to use kindling wood properly is the best way to improve your wood-burning fire experience. Whether you’re starting your fire in a log burner, chiminea, multi-fuel stove, or an outdoor campsite, kindling will greatly improve your life. It will make starting fires faster and simpler than ever. It will warm up your appliance to avoid creosote buildup. And it will help your wood fuels burn more efficiently than ever.
What is Kindling Wood Anyway?
Kindling wood is the name used for small wood pieces used for fire-starting purposes. Kindling is usually lit with a firelighter or sticks of tinder. In turn, its fire lights your main firewood or briquette fuel.
Am I Required to Use Kindling?
No, you don’t have to use kindling wood when starting a fire. There’s no UK law forcing you to do that. Just like there’s no UK law telling you to eat more vegetables, tie your shoes properly, or brush your teeth two times a day. But just because you aren’t required to do something doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it. Using kindling wood as a conduit between your firelighter and your oak firewood is highly recommended and will make your life easier.
Why Should I Use Kindling?
No matter how well you dry them, large pieces of wood matter (such as firewood or wood briquettes) are incredibly difficult to light. A match, gas lighter, or a fire starter simply cannot provide enough energy to start the chemical reaction we commonly call burning. In contrast, kindling is smaller and much easier to light. At the same time, it contains enough energy to light any log once it is burning.
In addition to making it easier for you to light your main wood fuel, kindling also helps pre-heat your wood-burning appliance to its optimal burning temperature. This helps you avoid fast creosote build-up and is vital for the optimal performance of such wood fuels as Night Briquettes and Hardwood Heat Logs.
Can I Make Kindling Myself?
If you can’t afford to purchase kindling from a reputable supplier, you can split your existing firewood into small chunks with an axe. This will take a lot of effort and the resulting kindling won’t be of overly high quality (due to its high moisture content, irregular shape), but it will still be much better than not having any kindling at all.
If you can afford it and want to get the best experience possible, consider buying high-quality, kindling wood from a reputable supplier like Lekto. It’s a lot more affordable than you think.
What Is the Best Kindling Wood?
Kindling can be made out of virtually any type of wood. In general, softwood kindling, in general, burns faster than hardwood kindling, which makes it perfect for starting a fire quickly. Hardwood kindling burns slightly slower, but the difference isn’t overly noticeable.
Lekto Premium Wood Kindling is made out of sustainably sourced kiln-dried softwood spruce and pine.
Is Kiln-Dried Kindling Wood Better Than Seasoned Kindling?
In general, kiln-dried kindling contains less moisture than seasoned kindling. This makes it easier to light and helps it burn more efficiently. This quality boost, however, does come at a slight price premium.
Kindling Storage Tips
In general, storing kindling wood indoors isn’t at all complicated. If you purchase your kindling from us at Lekto, it will be delivered to you in reusable, stackable, plastic-free cardboard boxes. If you make your own kindling or buy it from other sellers, consider investing in a kindling basket. For example, this top-rated kindling basket from Amazon cost only £19.95 at the time this article was written.