The Mud Life Magazine

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Organic Firelighters from The Green Olive Firewood Company

When it comes to firing up a campfire or getting that BBQ sizzling, not all firelighters are created equal. Enter The Green Olive Firewood Company’s organic firelighters, a sustainable, chemical-free solution designed with outdoor enthusiasts in mind. So, what sets these little cubes of convenience apart from the usual suspects? Let’s spark up a review. (See what I did there?)

These organic firelighters tick all the eco-friendly boxes. Made from recycled wood wool and dipped in natural wax, they’re completely free from the chemical nasties you often find in traditional firelighters. No petrol smell, no toxins—just a clean, steady burn that’s a delight to use, especially when cooking outdoors. And unlike their synthetic counterparts, these firelighters won’t leave an odd aftertaste on food.

For the eco-conscious adventurer, these are a brilliant choice. Each firelighter burns for around 8-10 minutes, which is ample time to get your kindling or charcoal going without needing to pile on lighter fluid.

Lightweight and compact, these firelighters are easy to pack for any trip. They don’t require much coaxing, either; a quick flick of a match or lighter, and they’re off. They catch quickly and burn reliably, making them ideal for starting fires in small grills, fire pits, or even in wood burners at home. Unlike some firelighters, they won’t disintegrate into ash at the slightest touch, holding their form and burning steadily, even in a bit of wind.

These cubes are particularly handy if you’re contending with damp wood. They’re not waterproof, but they’ll keep a flame going long enough to dry out slightly damp wood and get it ablaze - a perk that’s bound to be appreciated in the famously unpredictable British weather!

Of course, there’s no such thing as a perfect firelighter. For one, these organic gems come at a higher price than your run-of-the-mill petroleum-based blocks, which may make some folk think twice if they’re only using them occasionally. And while they’re impressively long-burning, they may not perform quite as well in extremely wet conditions, if you’re venturing out on a seriously soggy day, you might need something with a little more “oomph” in the ignition department.

Also, although they burn cleanly, they don’t produce a particularly powerful flame, so you’ll want to avoid smothering them too quickly with heavy logs or big chunks of wood. That said, stack your kindling properly and you shouldn’t have any problems.

Compared to traditional firelighters, these organic cubes are a breath of fresh air - literally. Where petroleum-based lighters often emit a harsh, chemical odour and leave behind a smoky residue, The Green Olive firelighters burn clean and are virtually smokeless. They’re also less messy, lacking that greasy, oily feel common in synthetic options.

Against other eco-friendly alternatives, they hold their own well. Wax-coated wood shavings are nothing new in the eco-friendly firelighter scene, but Green Olive has balanced durability with sustainability nicely.

In terms of storage, they come in a neatly packaged, keeping things tidy and less likely to crumble or spill - imagine a large block of Dairy Milk, or Galaxy chocolate.

For the environmentally-conscious camper or BBQ aficionado, The Green Olive Firewood Company’s organic firelighters offer a great mix of ease, eco-friendliness, and performance. They’re a bit pricier than conventional options but shine in providing a reliable, clean burn that doesn’t leave a smoky trail. So, next time you’re prepping for a fire, why not give these organic firelighters a go? After all, lighting up the great outdoors doesn’t have to come at a cost to it.

Website - https://greenolivefirewood.co.uk/product/organic-firelighters/

Price - from £19.99 for 6 packs to £39.99 for 24 packs. Each pack contains 32 firelighters.