Easy Wood Stove Lighting - Sawdust and Oil Firelighters

by Marion W.Kerr
(Perrysburg, OH Wood Co.)

To make sawdust and oil firelighters you will need a 5 gal. plastic or steel pail, sawdust and used motor oil.

You can get sawdust from lumberyards or friends with woodwork shop for free. You can use your used motor oil or get from friends or farmers free.

1. Fill pail with sawdust.
2. Pour used motor oil in pail (don't run it over). Let it drain down through sawdust (may take a couple of times and about 3.5 to 4.0 gals. of oil to be semi-saturated.
3. Scoop 1 fireplace shovel full of mixture in bottom of stove firebox, put some kindling on top and some small starter wood.
4. Put in 3 to 4 small balls of newspaper and light. Leave door on stove slightly open until fire going good, add more wood as desired, close door and enjoy heat. The pail full of mixture will last about 3 to 4 weeks...

Hi Marion,

Thanks for your suggestion - there are various ways to make firelighters using sawdust. I've heard of using melted candle wax with good results - you can make a "sausage" which sets hard and can be sawn into little blocks like commercial firelighters.

I'd look out for mixing oil and sawdust - I know that oily rags, for example, can spontaneously combust!

I'll try it out some time and see how it works.

Regards,

Mike