Goofy stuff I do that somehow works.

[joel]

I use a couple 5 gallon containers of a mixture of used motor oil, diesel and a squirt of gasoline to start fires. It's a good way to get rid of my used oil too.

Should work for wet wood, but never had a problem with dry wood.
Use dry grass or pine needles & finger size sticks, then wrist size logs.
If it is a big fire start both sides.

 

[Mountain trapper]

Should work for wet wood, but never had a problem with dry wood.
Use dry grass or pine needles & finger size sticks, then wrist size logs.
If it is a big fire start both sides.

Some of my burn piles are big as a house with full trees and the root system attached. And times I might have 20 - 30 piles burning at once. It's always easier for me to pour some fuel/oil mixture, toss a match and move on. I like to start burning as soon as possible when the snow melts off, so the wood is a little wet.