BetterWood Products Natural Pine Fatwood Fire Starter Burlap Bag, 10 Lb

So fatwood is made from the stump of pine trees, left to sit, pushing the resin into the stump, then it is split up into little pieces of "fatwood". It's all natural, if you care for that sort of thing and produces a strong flame. There is also a thick black smoke produced by the resin.So at first when I got some fat wood I just threw a couple sticks and tried to light them. They lit, after about 3 minutes of continuous flame. "damn" I said and tossed them aside for use as a fair weather firestarter (no marketing could pull that off, even today) thinking they were kind of crap, unless used with another, more easily combustible firestarter. Then I saw another review on Amazon complain of the same thing and in the comments section someone said "take a knife and shave of a small pile of shavings". So I tried it, and it worked like a charm! Take one stick, take a knife and shave a small pile of shavings, gather them up and place the remaining piece of fatwood on the shavings (place another, complete stick on as well for a stronger flame) and the shavings will ignite in before the sulfur burns off of an eco friendly strike on box match. That's really nice. The shavings proceed to light the remaining fatwood piece. One stick, partially shaved will light half of a chimney of kingsford charcoal and two sticks (one partially shaved and one full piece) will light a full chimney of lump or briquettes. A campfire ranges from 2-3 pieces.Where the problem lies is in the directions. It will tell you to simply light them whole and they will ignite "instantly". This is not true. Follow the method outlined above (and many, many other places) and you will see this is the best fire starter. It's not as convenient as, say, a little paraffin cube but they are much cheaper and just as effective. Wear gloves, as it is wood and can give splinters and the resin is also quite sticky. It supposedly can light even when wet, which most firestarters claim. I've never needed to test that, but I imagine the resin would repel the water from saturating the wood so it would light even when wet. Try it out, try "the method" and I think you'll like it.

You still need something slightly stronger than a lighter to get this stuff started (paper, wood shaving, doesn’t take much) but once it’s started it burns hot and strong for about 2 minutes, and then forms the foundation for a good bed of coals.I love this stuff. It’s the perfect kindling/fire starter combo.That said, I use way more than two sticks to start a fire. I usually put like five sticks under the wood I start with, and will end up adding about five more when I neglect the fire and have to get things going again.Ive found the 50lb box is the best value for the money. I’ve had it about a month and I’m only 1/8 into the box.

I've been using fatwood for 2 years now in both my woodstove and fire pit. For the price it is amazing. It's easy to light, burns much longer then similarly sized firestarters, and has been a lifesaver over the winter.When it snows the top of my wood pile usually is damp when I bring it inside and the snow melts, especially in the morning when I'm just getting the fire started. Usually a PITA to get going with kindling (which also gets a bit damp sometimes) but sooo simple with these. I just toss in an extra or two and it gets everything going much faster.It's also great for fire pits. Too windy for the lighter to get things going? I just grab 1 or 2 of these, light them in the garage, and carry them over to get things started. Much cheaper then pouring on lighter fluid (or whatever else you find in the garage that'll start a fire).I wait until these go on sale then buy a few boxes a a time so I've always got extra. Wood is all we've got to keep warm, so starting a fire is critical in the winter, and I without these it would be a much bigger chore. These are hands down the best fire starters I've ever used, and I've tried 2 dozen brands easily. Buy them, you won't regret it.

I only use this brand fire starter. 2 or 3 pieces and the fire lights fast. Work great in my wood stove .

These fat woods are my top choice. They’re easy to use, take up minimal space for storage, and provide a clean burn. I absolutely love them!

I'm reordering for a second time. Initially purchased in 2017, I use 4 or more of these to start backyard or camp fires a couple dozen times a year. 5/5 for recreational fire use and value. Burns well, and hot, but not clean. It gives off dark scented pine smelling smoke. I don't use them for bbq or any cooking fire because you can taste the pine tar pitch flavor unless you wait a very long time, 30 min or more. I use newspaper and 99% alcohol for cook fires. Happy with the product but it'd be ideal to have a single fire starting method that didn't leave a bad taste on food.

Have been using them for years … the best for starting fires in a wood stove