Ready to fire up the barbecue? Skip those chemical-laden store-bought fire starters. As an avid outdoor enthusiast who's relied on this method for years, I recommend a simple, cost-free, and eco-friendly alternative: wine corks. They ignite quickly and reliably for your BBQ or fireplace.
Contents 1. Save the natural cork every time you open a wine bottle.
2. Crumple newspaper into a loose ball as your base.
3. Layer kindling on top.
4. Stack the logs.
5. Place one cork next to each log.
6. Light the newspaper.
Your fireplace is now lit effortlessly with corks. It's simple, effective, and saves money every time.
This works great for barbecues too. Far better than chemical lighting cubes—those release harsh fumes that taint your grill. Instead, position corks beside the coals and kindling, light newspaper, and enjoy a clean burn.
Natural corks catch fire easily and burn steadily for minutes, providing consistent flames to spread to your logs. Press them firmly against the wood for best results. Always use real cork, not plastic. I've used this trick for every fire I've built—it's reliable and practical.
