Advice on pine cones please.

[Boosh]

I've never used pine cones before so last night i thought i'd try a couple on the fire. Now i obviously did something wrong as before i knew it they were popping and spitting all over the place like little firecrackers going off!

How do you use them properly please?

Thanks,

Boosh.

PS: Why do i have that niggling feeling this should be in the stupid question section!?

 

[torjusg]

Did you use open or closed ones?

I have never experienced what you are talking about. I generally use the dry, open ones I find on the ground. But closed ones doesn't seem to be a problem either.

Did you use green ones perhaps?

 

[Wayland]

That seems odd, I use them all the time, often to get the fire going early on but have never had trouble like that.

They are sometimes a bit smoky with a few crackles but no real problems

I use them in my hobo stove for fuel and they're great for that.

 

[Eric_Methven]

It depends on which species of cone you used. Some species depend on fire to spread their seeds, and these will generally pop and crack when they feel the heat. Most times though I've had no problems. I don't think you're doing anything wrong. Just keep trying and see if you can find cones from different types of tree to experiment with.

Eric

 

[Boosh]

Thanks for the replies, in fairness i was using closed ones that probably were'nt bone dry. Could'nt find any dry ones but i thought the heat from the fire would dry them out quick enough.

No matter, we can but persevere!

Thanks again,

Boosh.