The original cooking oil fire-starters I described work great, however I've found something easier and better.
Required:
1 small cardboard box (or 2 brown paper lunch bags)
Shredded paper
Used cooking oil
Make sure the cardboard box is small enough to fit under your fire place grate.
Stuff it packed full of shredded paper.
Pour a little cooking oil into the open end. A couple tablespoons will do it, and generally wont even come out the bottom of the box if you don't overdo it. If you are using paper bags be careful as the oil can soak through the bag quickly.
Stick in the fire place and ignite. These fire-starters work great. One will typically get any hardwood fire going without fail.
Where do I get my used cooking oil? Typically from frying either chicken cutlets or used oil from the deep fryer when it is shot.
Where do I get my shredded paper? I keep a yard waste bag full of paper from my shredder. Comes in handy for starting fires and occasionally packing small or fragile items.
