Nothing beats a fire. Stay warm this weekend
This has nothing to do with food, but given that CheapEats often features household offers (washing powder, toilet rolls, dishwasher tablets etc.) I think I can get away with this post. It’s a simple handy hint and it will save you a fortune on heating.
My rented house is pretty low on insulation, so we’ve been reluctantly lighting lots of fires and turning on the gas heating. I’ve been spending a fortune on firelighters, and much as I’m a fan of Lidl, I’ve found their cheap firelighters to be a very false economy. I picked up some cheap firelighters in Mace, branded “Economy firelighters” but it took nearly a whole packet to get the coals going. Zip is the only brand I’ve ever found useful, but they’re pricey.
The Maxol garage on the Grand Canal, near Dolphin’s Barn in Dublin 8, is one of the places I’ve seen selling sticks. It’s only €3 for a big bag and they’re perfect for lighting fires. You should get at least 12 fires from them, whereas you’d be lucky to get eight fires from a 48 packet of Zip. Simply light some old newspaper, cover it with sticks, and your fire will be up and running in minutes. Add your fuel, and stay warm this weekend.
You should be able to get sticks in many garages. Let us know if you come across some other fuel bargains.
Friday 8 January, 2010 at 5:12 pm
Years ago people used to pour the grease from the pans or grill into a metal dish, when this grease is cold some of it can be spooned out and placed in between light sticks and paper to get a fire started, almost as good as firelighters!!
Friday 8 January, 2010 at 8:09 pm
The €3 bags of sticks in Dublin sell for €2 in Tralee. You can also but metal rings for keeping newspapers tightly rolled. They will burn for ages.
Friday 8 January, 2010 at 9:31 pm
Ooh, I’d be careful of the grease thing. I did it once, and started a chimney fire.
Saturday 9 January, 2010 at 10:37 am
Those sticks are great for starting fires but I’m confused as to how you can only get 8 fires from 48 zip firelighters? I can get a fire started with 2 usually, 3 if it’s particularly stubborn. Would normally split a couple of briquettes lengthways and layer them ‘tepee’ style onto the firelighters and away you go!
Saturday 9 January, 2010 at 12:36 pm
To my shame I’m using coal, because it’s the only thing heating the house in these sub-zero temperatures. I’m cold all the time! 🙂
Sunday 24 January, 2010 at 11:46 am
They say 80% of the heat goes up the chimney, but I don’t care I light a fire once or twice a week…the rest of the time I have an oil stove (stand alone) in the kitchen /living area which is more than ample for my needs. The sitting room is the place we go to, to watch the TV at weekends….during the week its’ the smaller TV. My neighbour installed a wood burning stove in their sitting room and the difference is so noticeable. I use the sticks and they are great….only 2 Euro a bag where I live in Galway.
Monday 1 February, 2010 at 6:49 pm
Tried the Superquinn firelighters: useless, they go out all the time, you need to use a ridiculous amount to light the fire, and it takes ages. Surprisingly, the Centra own brand are brilliant: much cheaper than Zip and twice as good, try them.
Thursday 24 February, 2011 at 1:20 am
I know Im a tad late commenting on this but for anyone sufferring desperately from the cold, I learned a pretty good tip while living in the insulationless land of the rising sun. This’ll probably come in handy for students and anyone without double glazing who doesnt mind the house looking a little rough around the edges. The trick is to line the windows with bubble wrap, simple, cheap and effective insulation. Just cut it to size, dampen the smooth side, it’ll stick like a charm and keep the chill out.