AICO Natural Firelighters V.s. Common Fire Starting Materials

Is there really a natural alternative to smelly, messy firelighters? And how effective are they, really? In this article, we will explore how AICO natural firelighters compare to various DIY options and common chemical firelighters. We will also look at which are the best and worst to use when trying to start your wood burner, bio-burner, pizza oven, campfire, fire pit in your household or restaurant.

Natural firelighters - what are the common ingredients?

In short, the most common ingredients are either wax and wood, particularly timber or pine. Alternatively, some chemical free firelighters are made with vegetable and plant-based oils with wood. Vegetable oils do not tend to ignite instantaneously or last very long by comparison to natural firelighters with wax. AICO natural firelighters are made with a blend of beeswax and fully refined paraffin wax as well as pine shavings taken from renewable sources.

Wax - the paraffin paradox.

Fully refined paraffin wax generally means there is a maximum of 0.1% oil content in the wax. Oil-based products are contributing to the creation of a global mass of waste matter that is virtually indestructible and presents ever-increasing difficulties for disposal. Not to mention oil is a finite resource. Unrefined paraffin to my surprise can be found not only in a variety of natural firelighter brands but also in creams to combat itchy dry skin. Alongside the warning, highly flammable. AICO wanted to stand out amongst the crowd and engineered a blend that

Are Natural Firelighters really eco-friendly?

There are a number of ways in which this could be debated. But the following are questions you should be asking yourself when hunting for an eco-friendly alternative:

· Are the ingredients natural?

· Is the cost to the environment to produce, package, transport, and burn the firelighters low?

· Does combustion expose one to nasty unhealthy chemicals?

· Are the natural firelighters biodegradable? Do they rot away? Can they be incinerated?