Kindlin' in a Cone

Fall and winter are busy seasons on the Runnin' Lean homefront!  Preparations of all sorts have to planned out and then completed before the weather takes a turn for the worse...and then decides to stay that way for a few months!!  One of the most important things to consider (if you're heating with wood that is) is your kindlin' supply!  It's true.  It is something that you can & should continue to gather throughout the burn season as well, but the more you have stock piled from the start the less you have to fret about finding a suitable dry material to use though the rain and snow of winter.  We've tried something new this year that has provided great results . . . pine cones!  A friend of ours has several pine trees on his property which just so happen to be in and around his yard (easy access don't you know;)  The cones are a nuisance to him as they create unwanted debris for him to deal with year after year.  This last spring  we asked if we could pick some of them up to dry out and use for a fire starter.  Without hesitation he said yes.  We promptly picked up a galvanized trash can full of the cones that were strewn around his house and yard.  In no time we had filled the can and were on the road back home with our flammable treasure.  I've used several of them at this point and have to say...they are perfect kindlin'!!!  They burn fast and hot and are so easy to get lit that I can simply put a match to them and watch them go up :)  So pick up some pine cones and bring on Winter!