Now I suspect you are all experts at lighting fires and have your own tried and tested method that works every time. Me, not matter how many fire lighters and how I stack the logs, they just don't like to take. Part of the problem is the size of the logs that we get from the guy by the garage. I bought an axe to try and split them but they are like iron.

This trip, I have discovered the perfect solution. The briquette things you can get in IZI for a couple of euros. I know they are just compressed sawdust and give out little heat but a couple at the bottom burn well enough to get the logs going properly. So, if you are a failed boy scout like me, then give them a try.

I tried it while we were out over Christmas, works a treat.

Pine cones and fire lighters available at Pao d'Azucar. Work every time but you need to start off with smaller logs

...or better still for just under 2 euros each the fire logs from Pingo Doce are cleaner and burn for about an hour and will light any piece of wood no matter its size

andara wrote:...or better still for just under 2 euros each the fire logs from Pingo Doce are cleaner and burn for about an hour and will light any piece of wood no matter its size

I think that's the same stuff. Brown cylinders about a foot long that snap easily.

Work every time but you need to start off with smaller logs

I said the problem was that the logs are probably too big and that I found it difficult to split them. The logs I mentioned are cheaper than pine cones and work with larger logs.

yes we probably do mean the same things. Thought you meant the logs that you buy in a pack of eight but still need to light with
Firelighters.I meant the FLAMEFAST individually wrapped logs that you just light directly. Saves a lot of messing about.

I do mean the log things. I've not seen the ones that are self-lighting but that sounds even easier.

laserblazer wrote:I do mean the log things. I've not seen the ones that are self-lighting but that sounds even easier.

You shouldn't tell people how to light fire, last week someone threw a petrol bomb through the window of the Wine Lodge in Moorfields in Liverpool and they drank it before it exploded.

ron5000 wrote:Pine cones and fire lighters available at Pao d'Azucar. Work every time but you need to start off with smaller logs

Our ever helpful maid left some pine cones in apartment one January stay, 2 years ago it took us a couple of hours to figure out what they were for,surffice to say we have been using them ever since with not one failure.

I'd suggest not buying the compressed material logs in pkts of 8 in bulk. They don't like the damp weather if stored outside. Friend used only 2 at a time in cold weather to light fire. Eventually remaining stock just disintegrated when he lifted from the packet.

Good point smudger. We'll find out in February.

When I was in IZI in late november they had 3/4 different types of logs etc - one lot was a 20kg pack of small wood offcuts for ~€3 which was ideal as starting wood. However we have found an area where there are lots of pine cones and those are definitely the best and cheapest.

maccasa wrote:When I was in IZI in late november they had 3/4 different types of logs etc - one lot was a 20kg pack of small wood offcuts for ~€3 which was ideal as starting wood. However we have found an area where there are lots of pine cones and those are definitely the best and cheapest.

I've found the glass is a lot harder to clean after using pine cones.

thats odd - my wife remarked it seems easier/less marking with pine cones than when we use olive wood logs????

maccasa wrote:thats odd - my wife remarked it seems easier/less marking with pine cones than when we use olive wood logs????

you mean you let her do all the cleaning ?