Most people don't think much about their firelighters. They grab a box from the supermarket, light one end, and assume that's that. But if you have a wood burner, open fire, or fire pit you use regularly, the quality and composition of your firelighters matters more than you might realise — both for the quality of your fire and for what you're breathing in.
At Walter Products, we're passionate about natural, effective fire-starting solutions. Here's why it matters.
What's in a Standard Firelighter?
Conventional white firelighters — the kind you'll find in most supermarkets — are typically made from wood shavings bound in paraffin wax. They work, but paraffin is a petroleum by-product, and the fumes produced during lighting are not something you want to be inhaling regularly, especially in a partially enclosed space like a living room or garden terrace. They also leave a distinctive chemical smell that some people find unpleasant.
Natural Alternatives: What to Look For
Natural firelighters use plant-based waxes — typically rapeseed, beeswax, or vegetable wax — instead of paraffin. They produce significantly less smoke during ignition, have a cleaner smell, and are both FSC-certified and biodegradable when made responsibly.
The difference when lighting a wood burner is particularly noticeable: a good natural firelighter will produce a steady, even flame that allows the kindling above it to catch properly, rather than a fast, hot flame that dies before the wood is lit.
Yak Bars: Our Natural Fire Starter
Our Yak Bars are made using natural wax with an FSC-certified wood core. They're designed to light first time, every time — and they do. Each bar provides a sustained flame of around 12 minutes, which is ample time for kindling and logs to catch properly.
They're clean to handle, produce minimal smoke on ignition, and have none of the chemical smell associated with paraffin firelighters. Whether you're lighting a wood burner, an outdoor fire pit, or a BBQ, Yak Bars are our answer to the question: what's the best way to start a fire, cleanly and reliably?
Tips for a Perfect Wood Burner Fire
• Start with a clean firebox — remove ash from the previous fire, leaving a thin layer if possible (ash insulates the base and helps the new fire get going)
• Build an upside-down fire: logs at the bottom, kindling in the middle, firelighter on top. This creates a top-down burn that's more efficient and produces less smoke
• Only use seasoned or kiln-dried wood — moisture content above 20% produces significantly more smoke and less heat
• Ensure the flue is warm before lighting by opening the air vents fully for a minute first
• Don't pack the firebox too tightly — air circulation is essential for combustion
Available Online with Fast Delivery
Yak Bars and our full range of natural fire-starting products are available to order online, with fast UK delivery. Whether you're stocking up for the rest of the season or trying natural firelighters for the first time, we'd love to hear what you think.
Shop the Walter Products range at walterproducts.co.uk
