Martha Stewart Living, January 2011
Using newspaper to get a blaze going usually results in just another flash in the fireplace. An old-fashioned solution: these newspaper twists.
Make a Twisted Newspaper Fire Starter
Tightly roll a sheet of newspaper, bend it in half, twist the ends together, and fasten with twine. Keep a basketful by the hearth and you'll always be ready to heat things up.
Ravenhouse, check out "The Long Winter" -- Laura and Pa twisted hay (sorry, not straw as mentioned in my second post below)
You need to clean your chimney at least every year, Junemarilyn. It's even possible to minimize creosote formation (ensure smoke stays hot
not a good idea.. creosote developes on the chimney walls which in turn can cause a chimney fire
Really Ravenhouse? I have the Sunday paper delivered for the coupons....
These work great for bon fires too
Awww...c'mon!! Where did Laura get newspaper, Pa didn't go to town everyday!
I just use buffalo chips, who gets a newspaper?
actually, I roll them diagonally, tightly and then tie them in half knot...works really well
When i stayed at my granny's, i would help her make these. We never tied the ends though, if you just do it right to the bottom it should stay closed enough. Cheap and really easy, and works too!!
except I think it was straw instead of newspaper
I remember reading about this in Little House on the Prairie books (not kidding)...