The Best Fire Starters

To me, there aren't many sensations that feel as good as the warm glow of a fire on your body on a chilly night. The problem is, I don't have the patience to try to rub sticks together to make the fire so I use fire starters. I decided to try out several of them to bring you the top 5 you should consider using to easily start your fires and light up your life.

Pine Mountain StarterLogg Select-A-Size Firestarting Blocks

Easy to break apart and quick to light

The Pine Mountain StarterLogg Select-A-Size Firestarting Blocks do their job well, preventing wood waste and the typical frustrations of not being able to light a fire.

Best Overall

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The StarterLogg was my favorite fire starter because it’s easy to light with a lighter, can be used for different occasions, and prevents wood waste by being easy to break into smaller chunks.

According to the manufacturer, this set is made from real hardwoods and burns cleaner than cordwood – producing up to 80% less carbon monoxide. I did feel like it was less smoky so I didn’t cough, and can appreciate that this company is using renewable resources.

Pros:

You can easily split the wood into smaller chunks so you don’t waste a lot of wood on a small fire
These logs light easily so you don’t have to spend a lot of time getting the fire started
The blocks are versatile and can be used in a fireplace, fire pit, or chimney, no need to buy separate logs for different purposes

Cons:

The logs are a little sticky so I recommend using gloves when handling them

Light-A-Fire 100% All Natural Starter Pods

Pick up these ketchup-sized pods to help you start your fire naturally

The Light-A-Fire 100% All Natural Starter Pods do a great job of kicking off your fire while not being harmful to the environment.

Best All Natural

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I never thought I would find a fire starter cute, but these little pods remind me of the to-go ketchup cups you get at a restaurant and are just as effective. My favorite part about them is that they’re non-toxic and safe for the environment because they’re made from wood shavings and food-grade wax.

These burn for 15 minutes each and work in smokers, campfires, wood stoves, and fireplaces.

Also, Light-A-Fire employs people with disabilities, which I can always get behind and appreciate.

Pros:

Only 1 pod is needed to light a fire (there are 30 in the set) so it’s quite effective
I didn’t feel like these caused my food to smell or taste strange, which I’ve experienced in the past with other products
Non-toxic and environmentally safe, so you can feel good about using these

Cons:

To start a larger fire you would probably need to use 2 pods at a time

Fire Starters BIG PACK Charcoal Starters

These work well in damp conditions like rainy weather

Fire Starters BIG PACK Charcoal Starters start your fire quickly and come in an easy-to-transport square format.

Best Fire Starter Cubes

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These fire starters are awesome because they actually work when it’s damp out. They’re constructed from sawdust and wax and come in a square format.

I didn’t notice any flavor or odor coming from these after cooking hot dogs on my grill and felt like these were a cinch to use.

The cube format means they’re easy to move around, so I plan to throw these in my backpack to take to my next beach bonfire.

Pros:

These starters work for grills, campfires, fireplaces, fire pits, wood and pellet stoves, and smokers so you can use them anywhere
Made from wax and an environmentally friendly wood blend to prevent extra unwanted flavor in your food
100% waterproof so you can use these in damp or wet conditions, great for rainy camping trips

Cons:

You need to use about 15 per fire, but this pack comes with 160 so it’s no problem

Lightning Nuggets N100SEC Super Economy Box Fire Starter

Starts a fire with just one cube

Lightning Nuggets N100SEC Super Economy Box Fire Starter is an economical way to start fires all year long without an additional residue or odor.

Best Value

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If you want to get a lot of fire starters for less money, check out this 100-pack. These are also non-toxic and safe for the environment.

It works on wood stoves, campfires, fireplaces, barbecues, pellet stoves, and a for a lot more types of cooking.

I hate using lighter fluid to light my fires because it can be so bad for you to breathe in, so I loved this one because it doesn’t require any kind of kindling or newspaper to kick off.

Pros:

The pine scent is refreshing and adds to the overall experience of sitting around a campfire
It only took one nugget to light my campfire, and it burned strongly for 15 minutes so I got to enjoy the fire even longer
This 100-pack was inexpensive so you can enjoy fires guilt-free all year long

Cons:

Upon opening the box, a few of the cubes were reduced to sawdust. I contacted Lightning Nuggets and they sent me a replacement.

EasyGo Products 120 Eco-Stix Fatwood Starter Kindling

Just a few of these logs will get your fire going in no time

EasyGo Products 120 Eco-Stix Fatwood Starter Kindling is rich in resin and 100% pure, so you can start your fire quickly with this Ocoee Pinewood.

Best Kindling

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This set of kindling wood started my fire so fast, I hadn’t even broken out the s’mores yet. To start the fire quickly, layer 3 or more Eco Stix together and just light them. I was impressed by how simple this was.

I ordered the 10-pound box to start, and it came with around 120 sticks. It also has a citronella scent I originally missed in the product description, to help keep away bugs.

Eco Stix seems like an impressive company because they offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee – if you don’t like wood, you can return it within 30 days for a refund.

This Fatwood is made from Ocoee Pine, which the company claims is 100% all-natural wood harvested from leftover trumps of pine trees. I felt good about this because it means leftover wood is being recycled for future fires.

Pros:

Available in 10, 25, 40, and 50-pound bundles so you can get the best value
Made from Ocoee Pine, which is all-natural and rich in resin without containing petrochemical additives or Methyl Bromide
This wood works in wood stoves, fireplaces, hearths, and fire pits, making it easy to utilize everywhere

Cons:

For bigger fires, you will probably need around 5 logs to start
This kindling was smokier than expected but not annoyingly so

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for in a fire starter?

To find the perfect fire starter, look for one that’s all-natural, lights quickly, and stays lit for at least 10 minutes.

Besides a fire starter, what else do I need to get my fire going?

You’ll want to ensure you have a fire poker to keep it lit, waterproof matches, a lighter, and a watertight container to store unused wood in.

What is the best way to extinguish a fire?

Always check with your local land managers for the best tips in your area to avoid accidental fires. Generally, you should extinguish your fire by pouring water on it, stirring the ashes, then applying more water. Ensure the ashes are cool to the touch before you leave the site.

I’ve heard you can use dirt or sand to extinguish a fire, can I do that?

This is a popular myth that can cause a lot of problems. Dirt and sand can insulate coals, and if they become uncovered it can easily light a wildfire.

What can I burn in the fire?

You only want to burn trash if it can be fully consumed by your fire and turned to ash. Never burn cans, foil, or plastic.

Don’t forget to pack out any trash that you find in your pit – we all have to work together to keep nature safe and prevent devastating wildfires.