Author Topic: Pine cones as firelighters (Read 6027 times)

chrismahon · « **on:** June 09, 2014, 11:50:19 am »

Has anyone used pine/fir cones for lighting fires? I was told of this yesterday, but it is far too hot here to try it out and the cones will need collecting and drying first. So before I spend hours sifting through the undergrowth, do they work and how well?

We tried dried Orange peel last year and it wasn't very good at all. But firelighters are expensive here and so are newspapers so we need an alternative.

bloomer · « **Reply #1 on:** June 09, 2014, 11:56:54 am »

dry pine cones are like rocket fuel...

they are in my top 3 natural fire lighting materials and probably number 1 if i have a match or lighter (they won't take a spark for survival training)

Dan · « **Reply #2 on:** June 09, 2014, 12:26:31 pm »

Very good for bee smokers too...

Mammyshaz · « **Reply #3 on:** June 09, 2014, 01:28:20 pm »

They are great fire starters and our terrier brings one home every time she is in the wood so we have a nice collection at the ready :-D

mab · « **Reply #4 on:** June 09, 2014, 08:30:11 pm »

is it any type of pine cone or a specific 'breed'? - I feel a walk in the forrestry land coming on....

bloomer · « **Reply #5 on:** June 09, 2014, 08:31:00 pm »

i haven't found a bad one yet...

chrismahon · « **Reply #6 on:** June 10, 2014, 05:34:08 am »

Thanks everyone. I'll collect all I can find today and get them dried and stored.

Bramblecot · « **Reply #7 on:** June 13, 2014, 12:33:43 pm »

In our old garden we had a few Scots pines. All we used to light the fires for 18 years was 1 piece of newspaper, and a handful of pine cones. Never bought a firelighter in my life

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They store well in old feed bags, last indefinitely, and you can sell them to people pre-Christmas