Did anyone ever use this?

[formariz 11,987]

Curious if anyone’s has ever used one of these and if so what they think of it?

 

 

[8ntruck 6,999]

There was one of these in my great uncle's house.  Never saw it used, but it is a fire starter for a fireplace.  The bulb on the end of the handle was soaked in some flammable liquid like kerosene, or heating oil.  The knob was lit with a match, placed under the the logs laid on the andirons in the fireplace until the logs caught, then placed in the iron pot and covered to snuff it out.

 

I remember as a curious youngster starting to lift the lid on that pot and getting told to leave it alone.

[formariz 11,987]

I understood that the pot would have the kerosene in it so the soapstone bulb would be soaked. I am wondering of how effective it is. 

[SylvanLakeWH 25,550]

Interesting...

 

Im hoping one of you determines which one of you is correct. Could get flames in the wrong spot if @formariz is right and @8ntruck goes to snuff it out!!! 

 

I would not be a fan of such a system... flammable liquids next to the fireplace in the house... 

[rmaynard 15,442]

When we had a woodstove, someone gave us one as a gift. Tried it once or twice but found it impractical. The odor of the kerosene lamp oil bothered my wife. It quickly became a conversation piece.

 

EDIT: Wife said it was lamp oil.

 

@Pullstart I honestly don't remember, but I think that it burned out in the lighting process. If not, it doesn't seem wise to put a burning bulb back into a pot of flammable liquid, even with a lid.

 

 

Edited April 26, 2023 by rmaynard
Correct content

[Pullstart 62,843]

Does the kerosene pot snuff it out as well, or does the soaked stone run out of flammables after lighting the fire?

[Pullstart 62,843]

2 hours ago, rmaynard said:

I honestly don't remember, but I think that it burned out in the lighting process. If not, it doesn't seem wise to put a burning bulb back into a pot of flammable liquid, even with a lid.

Makes sense to me too, but I’ve quenched red hot parts in oil during a flame hardening process at a die shop before, so I wasn’t sure about a fast dip possibly putting the flame out instead of lighting the pot ablaze.

[CCW 1,295]

16 minutes ago, Pullstart said:

Makes sense to me too, but I’ve quenched red hot parts in oil during a flame hardening process at a die shop before, so I wasn’t sure about a fast dip possibly putting the flame out instead of lighting the pot ablaze.

 

Do the fumes of kerosene burn?  I would only try that outside with a very long handle.  

[Stormin 9,981]

 Interesting! My thoughts are the the soaked stone would go out if if immersed in the lamp oil. In theory, a lit match will do the same if immersed in petrol. If you can be fast enough. As I said. "In theory". Never tried it.

Edited April 26, 2023 by Stormin

[sjoemie himself 3,068]

Here I am thinking this was a giant cheese fondue 

[formariz 11,987]

From my research, pot is filled with lamp oil or kerosene. Soapstone ball will get loaded with it. One then removes it and lights it up placing it under firewood to start the fire. I is supposed to be left there until it extinguishes it self, being then placed back in pot for reloading.

Bought it because I just like it for its looks next to stove, but I am wondering if it would be useful in times where one is low on kindling or even paper to start a fire. Because of smell I most likely would use it with lamp oil although it is a worrisome thing to have in case it is knocked over. I am assuming that because of that possibility it may happen the pot is intentionally actually quite heavy and stable.