The old sugar on the fire trick .....

[fabindia]

I am not too bothered about keeping the stove on over night as it lights very easily again. But I can shut it down if we want and it will stay on.

We didn't bother trying to keep it on last night but this morning there were just a few embers glowing.

Now I don't know how many here know this trick but sugar burns really well, basically it is a high carbon fuel. So, a tablespoon of sugar over the embers plus a few sticks and hey presto away again in two minutes and saves the cost of a few fire lighters.

[p.penn]

Gosh - I have never heard of that one before - great tip!

I was always told that burning orange peel helped keep the chimney clean, but whether that is true....!

[Totally Scrambled]

I'd never heard of sugar either but I did know that dried orange peel is a very good kindling and smells nice too.
Dom

[Maggie1]

Sugar and dried orange peel is good for lighting and putting out use salt

[silverback]

Helen wrote: I was always told that burning orange peel helped keep the chimney clean, but whether that is true....!

IMHO, there's no substitute for burning properly seasoned logs and having your chimney regularly swept, to keep it clean! ..

[Gwenoakes]

Didnt know about the sugar, orange peel or salt, so thanks for those suggestions. Will keep them in mind for the future.

[Richard]

I didn't know that one - very good.

I will copy this thread and put it into Frugality and Self Reliance

Richard

[bmpsands]

I knew about sugar. when I was little my grandad always chucked a decent helping of sugar on the fire just before Christmas every year to make sure that the chimney was in good order before the holiday. I'm not sure whether it was the sugar that cleared all the soot out, or the fireman's hose down the chimney on Christmas Eve.

[Sara]

Brilliant tip , Thank you

I often have to use a little fire lighter to get the embers going in the kitchen so i will give the sugar a go in the morning