I found this at my local Wally World in the sporting goods area. Its some kind of fire starter for fireplace use. The log is about 7 inchs long and 2 inchs wide, you can cut whatever size pieces you want off of it. I cut mine into 20 pieces. Each piece burns for about 10 minutes. Took a piece to the sink, ran water over it, it still fired right up. The best part..each "log" cost only .88 cents :-). The only downside is that you cannot light it with a metal match or sparklite.

They're a bit soft or moist, aren't they (glycerin)?

My brother had the same idea and chopped them up & put them in a container. Unfortunately, the chunks dry out after a while, and they're quite hard to start. I had to start a small fire to start these firestarters, and that was in my wood stove. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Sue

Yes these go bad.

I purchased some that were bad.

I had some set in my camping gear box for a month or two and were bad.

For $0.88 I thought they would be a bargain to just have and make starting a camp fire a breeze, i was wrong. It took me longer to start these babys than it did splintered redwood.

For ease camping I use firepaste now or whatever I have leftover from my fire starting tests (about every fire starting product on the market + some you don't know about! writing website now)

Cophlans makes a mini-log w/built on waterproof match they burn ~11 minutes I highly suggest these!

If they dry out, why not put them in a small plastic bag, or try shrink wrapping them in plastic and a heat sealer.(hot knife and a hot blow gun or hairdrier)

ToddW,

Have you tested the Coghlan's Emergency Tinder? It is my favorite. You can soak it in water, pull it in half and hit it with a spark and it will light right up and burn for 5 to 7 minutes.

Great stuff! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I have stopped carrying it in a film container. I now keep 12 in a small zip-lock bag.

I use the type of tinder that comes with the sparklite when im starting a fire with sparks, the stuff will light up everytime. My idea with the starterlogg is to have larger "chunks" that will start even damp wood burning. I cut off a piece and i'm letting it sit out in the room now, i'll wait about a month and see if it dries out, or anything else happens that causes it not to light.

If it will last a month thats good with me. I try to go through my kits every month and check things anyway.

Dean

Well when you do your reviews..don't forget my favorite fire starter of all time..one trioxane fuel tab. One burns for at least ten minutes with hot blue flame that will dry and start small twigs and in real dry weather, I break it into thirds so I don't waste it. Comes in waterproof foil pouch that if opened on one end, can be resealed by rolling several times and will keep out moisture....and the most important thing of all...cheap!

yeah, i agree. The Coghlan's emergency tinder is just great. I squashed a few and stuffed it into my altoids kit, nice and flat. slight mess but what the hey....