Kindling is small, dry split wood, roughly finger- to wrist-thick, that you place between your tinder (paper, a fire starter) and your logs. It catches quickly and burns hot long enough to light the larger wood. Dry softwoods such as pine, spruce and cedar make the easiest kindling; resin-rich fatwood lights even in damp weather.
Tinder, kindling, fuel
| Layer | What it is | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Tinder | Catches a flame instantly | Newspaper, wood shavings, a natural fire starter |
| Kindling | Small split wood that takes the flame from the tinder | Pine, spruce or cedar sticks, fatwood |
| Fuel | What heats the room | Firewood logs or eco logs |
Best wood for kindling
- Softwoods (pine, spruce, fir, cedar): light fast and burn hot. The best choice.
- Fatwood: pine heartwood soaked in natural resin; a few sticks light a fire even when it’s damp out.
- Dry hardwood offcuts: work, but take longer to catch.
- Whatever the species, it must be dry. Damp kindling smokes and smothers the flame.
How much do you need?
A good handful to two handfuls per fire, about a dozen pieces of mixed thickness. Start with the thinnest pieces at the bottom and finish with sticks close to the thickness of a broom handle.
How to split your own
Use a hatchet or a kindling splitter on a dry, straight-grained log section about 30 cm (12 in) long. Split it in half, then keep halving each piece until you reach the sizes above. Wear gloves and eye protection, and keep fingers clear of the blade.
Building a fire that catches
- Open the stove or fireplace air control fully.
- Place a fire starter or a ball of paper in the centre.
- Lay kindling over it, crossing the pieces so air flows between them (a small “log cabin” or a teepee).
- Light, let the kindling burn well, then add one or two small logs.
- In a wood stove, follow the manual for when to close the door and adjust the air.
The top-down method also works well in stoves: logs at the bottom, kindling on top, starter on the very top. It burns down slowly and needs less attention.
Frequently asked questions
What is kindling used for?
To carry a small flame from your tinder to your logs. Without it, logs rarely catch.
Can I use pellets as kindling?
A handful of wood pellets in a paper bag or a small metal basket can help start a wood-stove fire; pellets are dry and dense. Follow your stove manual.
Where can I buy kindling?
Hardware stores and many grocery and convenience stores sell bundles in season, and you’ll find it in our fire starters and kindling range.