Kindling wood v Hot Box ® Firestarter

Kindling wood | What is it and what is it for

Kindling wood is a material for fire lighting, it is a key component in completing the fire triangle.

Arguably, the most comprehensive article written on wood fuel and firelighting can be seen here.

The importance of kindling should not be underestimated. There is evidence to suggest the art of fire making dates back the Middle Palaeolithic period.

Kindling wood | It’s part of the process

Kindling wood forms an important part of the fire starting process. Further, in a format, it is one of the core components inside Hot Box ® Firestarter.

However, if we are going to discuss kindling then we must follow the fire triangle.

When building a fire, sticking to the fundamentals is the key to success This is one of the main reasons why Hot Box ® Firestarter works so well.

Step 1 | Heat

Historically, heat would have been produced using friction or sparks. thereafter, once enough friction or sparks had been generated, tinder would be added to create an initial combustion phase.

The basic principal is to introduce sufficient heat to the tinder to bring about combustion.

Interestingly, different materials have different autoignition temperatures.

Perhaps surprisingly, among the lowest of these materials, even in comparison to paper, is leather or parchment.

Step 2 | Tinder

First and foremost, we must consider tinder before kindling. Tinder is the material which will combust first, at the lowest temperature, before the kindling can be ignited.

Tinder can come in an array of formats, advances in technology and manufacturing processes have updated tinder. However, the fundamentals of firelighting remain unchanged.

Historically, tinder would come from fungus which was readily available.

Today, tinder can be in the form of a traditional or natural firelighter. Recent trends have demanded more natural firelighting products versus examine based alternatives.

Step 3 | Kindling

Commonly, smaller pieces of wood fuel or twigs are referred to as kindling.

in the alternative, logs can be split down using a hand axe to form smaller logs or larger pieces of kindling.

The process of lighting a fire will require a base to be formed.

Starting small, with tinder, then small kindling, then larger heavier kindling, before adding more substantial fuel is the key to success.

These basic principals, and the use of kindling, have been embedded by Hot Box ® Firestarter.

Step 4 | Further fuel

Once alight, a fire will need to be fed.

Further fuel, usually larger than the kindling, will need to be added at regular intervals to sustain the fire.

This Guide to wood burning is a great resource for finding out which wood burns best.

The best kindling wood types

Now that we have considered the process of lighting a fire, including the use of kindling, we can consider the best type of kindling.

Importantly, kindling should be small, thin sticks will combust more effectively than larger ones

Further, ensure it is dry. if not, the heat that you have created will simply be wasted boiling the water content of the kindling.

As such, choose an appropriate materials for the job. Below we have copied a list of which woods are best for making kindling.

The order of the list represents the most appropriate material to form sticks.

• Larch | will crackle and spit but will generate ferocious heat.
• Cedar | When dry and split small, cedar will provide great heat and a low autoignition point.
• Birch | Great for generating quick heat when cut small.
• Pine | Only use unpainted untreated wood.

Hot Box Firestarter vs Kindling

Before Hot Box Firestarter, fire users would need to buy or produce kindling for their fires.

However, with Hot Box ® Firestarter, there is no need for a kindling store, which will save valuable space.

Further, having small pieces of wood lying around your house can be messy and inconvenient.

Moreover, such smaller wood fuel has become expensive due to the labour involving in splitting drying and preparing it.

Benefits of Hot Box Firestater

Our product, eliminates the need for kindling in the traditional sense.

However, Hot Box Firestarter completes the fire triangle, as described above form inside its own little box.

By observing the basic principals of making fire, we believe that we have created the perfect firelighting product.

Our product may, over time, render traditional kindling and the need to exert efforts splitting and storing it redundant.

How much? | Hot Box Firestarter compared to kindling?

Frequently asked, especially in Yorkshire.

From the research that we have done, the cost of our product versus buying the same amount of kindling and enough firelighters is about equal.

Don’t just take our word for it, let us show you on the worlds largest online marketplace and compare products of equal quality.

Further, our comparison considers enough product to light the same number of fires, approximately.

Kindling:  Available from Amazon for £6.99

Firelighters: Also available from Amazon, £6.59

Total price of these items £13.58

We estimate that the kindling supplied will light around 8 fires. Ok, so you will have some firelighters left.

However, compared with 8 number Hot Box ® Firestarters at £12.00 plus £3.00 shipping, we are competitive in the market.

Moreover, if you order our 27 Pack for £36.00 +£3.00 Shipping, our product offers exceptional value for money. Very Yorkshire…

Consider these key Hot Box ® Firestarter Facts.

• There is 1.3m of timber inside each box.
• Our product will produce more heat faster than any other firelighter on the market.
• Hot Box ® Firestarter is completely clean. No mess, no kindling, no fuss or faff.
• Convenient, it takes seconds to light and you don’t have to tend to it.
• Comparative in terms of cost, based upon research, undertaken on a well known e commerce site, our 8 pack of firestarters costs the same as the equivalent sticks and firelighters.
• You won’t run out, with our optional subscription model, we will deliver you enough per week or month depending upon your preferences.

Let’s move on….

Hot Box ® Firestarter v Firelighters

Ok, so we have looked at kindling versus Hot Box ® Firestarter, examined what kindling is and come back again.

Now, let’s consider firelighters generally and go head to head with some of the head honcho’s in setting things on fire.

As with most FMCG categories, there is a plethora of choice when it comes to firelighters.

During the course of obtaining our patent, and developing Hot Box ® Firestarter, we have undertaken a substantial amount of research on what else is available.

Below, we aim to set out some of the usual suspects across the firelighter industry, describe why our product is better and hope to provide videos in due course.

The Head Honcho’s

ZIP Firelighters | For over 80 years, Zip have been offering fire lighting solutions. During this time, there has been some innovation across their product range but nothing to set the world on fire, excuse the pun.

Across their range, in the indoor fires category, they boast 4 core products. namely, Odourless Blocks, Natural Starterlog, fast & clean, and natural.

Let us dissect and compare…

1. Odourless Blocks | Two or three required per fire, petroleum based, poisonous. Thery are highly flammable and will do the job used in conjunction with kindling.
2. Natural Starterlog | A log shaped product, wrapped in waxy paper which consists of compressed sawdust and paraffin wax, burns for a long time.
3. Fast & Clean | Flowrapped product which container kerosene, works well but again is reliant on kindling to build a fire.
4. Natural | Two or three required, made from wood wool and wax, require kindling to build the fire.

Big K | A range of kindling and natural firelighters

Big K are a massive player in the world of firelighters.

From their roots as a supplier of BBQ charcoal to the restaurant industry they now supply a diverse range of products.

Winter fuels and firelighters feature heavily in their repertoire.

Of relevance versus Hot Box ® Firestarter are the following products.

1. Eco friendly firelighter cubes | Made from vegetable oil and compressed sawdust, such products are standard fare when it comes to firelighters.
2. Wood wool firelighters | A recent offering from a plethora of suppliers, Big K call theirs Woodies. Made form wood wool and wax they burn for around 7 minutes and are effective Firestarter’s.
3. Kindling | Again, nothing new, kindling is an offering of most firelighter and fuel supply companies. However, Big K offer their kindling in plastic bags which may detract from the products eco credentials?
4. Firelog | Made from recycled sawdust and wax these firedogs are a variation upon a theme. simply light the packet and each log can burn for a couple of hours. However, they offer limited heat and do not provide the drama of burning wood such as kindling or Hot Box ® Firestarter.

What else do Big K offer?

Moreover, as demand for quality wood fuel has increased with the popularity of wood burning stoves and pizza ovens, Big K have diversified into the supply of such.

Their kiln dried logs are Woodsure ready to burn and offer a quality solution to home heating using wood fuel.

Moreover the convenience of the packaging and presence in major retail outlets provides a USP versus bulk log deliveries. However, the costs may be seen as restrictive to some.

Tiger Tim Products | A comprehensive range of firelighters and associated products.

Tiger Tim, now part of the Flame Group Limited, are a major player in the convenience firelighting market.

The range consists of natural firelighters such as wood wool and other traditional firelighting products.

However, there is nothing new to consider with recent innovations limited to wood wool and fire logs, all of which are on the radar of the companies outlined herein.

Kindling and firelighters | What else is there?

Based upon our extensive research surrounding this topic, we can safely conclude that the market offers several variations along the same theme.

What else can there be to replace kindling and firelighters seems a reasonable question to pose.

All of the above products require an amalgamation of both kindling and firelighters to start  fire.

Notwithstanding the type of appliance, wood stove, pizza oven, fire pit, BBQ etc, the premise for firelighting remains the same.

However, at Hot Box, we like to innovate and believe that we have come up with a product that is the ultimate in firelighting innovation.

Further, our product, Hot Box ® Firestarter eliminates the need for both component parts, kindling and firelighters and, in our opinion, is the fastest and easiest way to light a fire in any appliance.

Common problems when using kindling and firelighters…

By recognising that the way in which a fire is built when using firelighters and kindling can be fundamental to starting a fire.

A good example, if the kindling is too big or not dry enough, your choice of firelighter may not make it easy to get your fire started.

At Hot Box, we wanted to make a product that combined the two key elements, kindling and firelighters.

Thereafter, we aimed to eliminate possible user error when lighting a fire.

Stacking them correctly to allow a flow of oxygen around the fuel is a fundamental part of the basic premise of lighting a fire, The Fire Triangle. 

In contrast, Hot Box ® Firestarter

Patented design, an all in one firelighting solution, a creative modern solution that offers the ultimate in firelighting convenience.

1. Single all encompassing product, not really much need for a range.
2. Only one required per fire.
3. Natural odourless, no kerosene, petroleum anywhere, ever.
4. No Kindling required, its all in the box.
5. Just add logs…

Kindling and firelighters | What makes Hot Box ® Firestarter unique?

Why our product is different from everything else is a fair and reasonable question.

Simply stating that it just is does not provide the required insight.

On the surface, Hot Box ® Firestarter differs visually from both kindling and what we have all got used to using in terms of firelighters.

However, it is important to outline exactly what sets us apart from the firelighters and kindling products detailed above.

Sometimes, it is best to refer to videos to outline this, a picture speaks a thousand words in an already long synopsis of firelighters…

Kindling V Hot Box Firestarter | Lighting a fire in a stove

When lighting your woodburner it is important to consider the following:

1. Prepare the base, a bed of ash is always good and a level surface can pay. dividends.
2. Stack your kindling, make sure you have enough of it and there air can help the flames engulf each piece. You may need to split logs or buy pre cut kindling wood.
3. Build up your fire, start small and generate heat by using kindling and then smaller logs to provide the perfect base for your fire.

In the alternative, open the door, pop out the chimney and one of the air holes at the base, position Hot Box ® Firestarter and, if you like, place some logs around it.

Light firestarter at the base and give it ten, the perfect base for a fire without the fuss or failure.

Kindling V Hot Box Firestarter | Lighting a fire in a wood pizza oven

When lighting a wood fired oven, the following steps could be taken.

1. Prepare your oven, make sure th base is clean.
2. Stack your kindling and firelighter to build the fire.
3. Add small kindling or logs to build up the fire slowly.

Alternatively, place Hot Box ® Firestarter in your pizza oven after you have popped out the chimney and one ignition hole at the base.

Stack some logs around firestarter and light though the hole in the base.

Get on with making your pizza and Hot Box ® Firestarter will create the perfect fire.

Further, our patented firelighter will not need further kindling or need any more input from you.

Our short video shows how it easily lights the perfect fire in a wood fired pizza oven.

Kindling V Hot Box Firestarter | Lighting a fire pit

Lighting a fire pit can present a challenge for many.

Faffing about with firelighters, kindling and engaging in some huffing and puffing when things don’t gp your way can be a real chore.

Further, signed hair and smoked eyeballs are a common occurrences when it comes to trying to light a fire pit.

Not any more…

Hot Box ® Firestarter provides the perfect way to light your garden fire pit. Best served dark!

Conclusions | Do I need kindling to light a fire?

During the course of this brief article we have taken a look at kindling and firelighters.

It is clear that there are a number of products, from a range of trusted companies on offer.

Traditionally, these have been the key component parts for lighting a fire.

It could be argued that kindling a firelighters are the mainstays of the firelighting process.

However, we would argue that your patented firestarter offers users the ultimate in firelighting convenience.

Further, it could be argued that Hot Box ® Firestarter replaces both kindling and firelighters when lighting a fire in a range of appliances.

In short, the answer to the above question has become clear.

You do not need kindling and firelighters to light a fire.

What you do need is Hot Box ® Firestarter.

The easiest, fastest and most convenient way of starting a fire without kindling ever made.

#flammablesimplicity³

Hot Box ® Firestarter | From Yorkshire with ❤️