Nov. 25--Name: Grate Chef FireStarters
What they are: Small foil-like packets that you tuck into a pile of kindling or charcoal, light with a match or lighter and wait for your fire to build.
The good: Despite some negative reviews online, I wanted to try these, because the manufacturer says the toxin-free fire starters will light even when wet. As a canoe camper, I was interested. So I did "wet" one better; I tried to start a campfire during a snowstorm with wood that had endured a daylong rain the previous day. I gathered several pieces of what had been dry wood a little less than an inch in diameter, shook the snow off, cleared snow from a spot on the ground and went to work. I created a small pile with the wood, tucked in two packets (a little bigger than tea bags), lit the edges and walked away for five minutes. Then I returned and added a little snowy kindling, and after 10 minutes total, I had a campfire going. For campers, I'd add these to my must-have list because they are small, light, waterproof, shelf-stable and easy to carry. For road-trippers, I'd keep some in the glove compartment, because you just never know. They could have deprived Jack London one dandy short story. Grate Chef points out that these don't produce a fuel-like flavor in charcoal. I didn't try them that way, because I was more interested in the travel aspect, but I didn't detect any odor other than burning wood.
The bad: During the storm, there also was wind, so rather than using matches, as I did, I'd make sure I had a lighter to get them going.
Cost: $2.99 for a pack of six
Available from: gratechef.com, yardandpool.com or check hardware and home-supply stores.
rwerland@tribpub.com
