Hazel Brand wrote:Wullow - it's been a few months since you first posted about using kindling in the Liberator. Is it working out any better for you? I am thinking of purchasing one and was also planning on using kindling, pinecones etc. Is it any more efficient than standard stoves?
I am happy with the stove. I have written a review that you can read here (it's a work in progress):
https://write.as/uuardlauu/the-liberator-rocket-stove
As for saplings as fuel, I think that others' advice to split all the wood is the key. The split hardwood I stacked 8 months ago seems to be ready to burn. Sitting in the yard with no tarp, it's about 15% moisture. When I bring it inside for a couple of weeks, the moisture goes down to 6-7%. I will know more when the weather turns cold and I start burning again. These pieces, of course, are considerably skinnier than what people normally burn in a stove or fireplace.
I would not recommend pine cones, because of the potential of creosote buildup. They also burn very fast. They do make good starters, but twigs and newspaper (the recommended starter) work fine.