I find that hessian is really good- I will often use whatever dried plant matter I come across at the bottom and then a thick wad of hessian on top. If things go to plan the top layer of hessian doesn’t burn up for an age- and I top it up when it does burn. The hessian stops sparks exiting and helps keep the smoke cool. One old potato sack goes a long way.
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You’re lucky you came away with your fingers. I had a boyfriend who lost 4 of his fingers to melted plastic, and burns up his arm and body.
Thanks for sharing your story. A good reminder that our lifes and bodies may be more important than the disposable material around.
That new non-smoker invention sounds good about now. (The one that used essential oils and vapour to calm the bees instead of smoke). http://beesolis.com/apisolis/ It looks like he didn’t get the funds to make it though 
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/apisolis-naturally-active#/
Glad you’re okay Peter 
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Thanks for the link and thoughts Faroe. Stupidity ruled and I tried to save gear that could have been replaces. I guess the apisolis smoker didn’t get off the ground due to a lack of crowd funding. Maybe if the same info was put forward in English, a more world wide accepted language than French, it might have helped.
It is not only Australia has total fire bans in hot Summers which includes the use of smokers, probably our most dangerous piece of kit.
Has anyone got a link to an alternative option??
The Indiegogo page is in English Peter. That is the original invention, and I haven’t seen any others like it.
I think it’s a good idea, but he just didn’t get lucky with a viral video or enough publicity around his idea before he launched.
Hopefully, he will try again and be successful.
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OH man I would have bought one because I can’t start a fire or get my smoker lit worth a darn. My pyro skills small and I have to use a kitchen torch to get my smoker lit. I hope he gives the indi go go another try.
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There is a thought that bees do not mind the odd meringue pie nicely scorched.
That said I think the kitchen torch is a great idea. No different that the butane torches used in workshops. Hey …easy is good if it works.
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Hi Martha, I just came across this thread. I spend(waste) so much time getting my smoker working well it gets me frustrated with it constantly going out regardless of the fuel I use which is dried pine needles or pieces of cardboard usually.
So I had a brain wave, a nose blowing tissue doesn’t burn readily but with a splash of mentholated spirits it is an ideal fire started and last long enough to get the fuel supply working well, and you can stuff the fuel in as quick as you like, the flame won’t go out… Scrunch the tissue up to hold it with a pair of pliers, dip the tissue in metho and light it then drop the tissue into the bottom of the smoker and add the fuel. Instant great smoke !!!
Cheers
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Hi Peter, have I showed you the masking tape trick? I just tear off a 6" piece, scrunch it up & put it between some fuel. It lights quickly & burns long enough (without any fumes) to get the fuel burning nicely. I haven’t found anything better. I never throw any used masking tape away.
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My best fire starter is a piece of paper towel with bacon grease on it screwed into a ball 
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Isn’t masking tape mostly plastic these days? Last time I accidentally burned some had a burning plastic smell.
Not the masking tape I’m buying from bunnings. It gives off no smell whatsoever. I wouldn’t use packaging tape, for example. You might be talking about the blue masking tape. I’m only using the old fashioned off white masking tape.
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Mine is white from Bunnings too, but it is made of acetate. You can still buy the paper one though from what I can see.
Good tip though… the glue is the “active ingredient” for your trick.
I know the masking tape you are talking about Jeff, commonly used by panel beaters/spray painters is the car repair industry. It is creamy colored and not a smooth backing like duct tape, which is a stretchable plastic tape. The paper you are talking about won’t stretch, it tares, right?
I have never tried it as a smoker lighter but hey, I will now…
Cheers mate.
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I’ll check on the spirits. Though I’m not familiar with what it is really. But thanks for remembering my smoker issue. I bought a torch to light the smoker. Works faster than a lighter.
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Yes Pete, that’s the one. Anyway if we did use something that gave off fumes, it wouldn’t really matter because we only want to use enough to get the fire going. Once the fire is going, those fumes are long gone.
Another thing that works well as a fire starter is Vaseline (white petroleum jelly). You can smear some of that on the kitchen towel. A woolies brand tub goes a long way. Alternatively you can have a zip lok bag full of vaseline soaked cotton balls. They make a good fire starter.
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