Steven Andrews wrote:
 
> I'm not sure how many different methods there is in lighting up a smoker,
> ( maybe we can make it into a discussion), but the way my dad has always
> done it is as follows:
 
> He would get a hessian sack, (the type you used to buy potatoes in), cut it
> into a 6 x 3 inch strip, put it in the smoker and light it.  It would
> catch on very quickly. (depending if the sack was dry or not). After it was
> producing white smoke, he would add either, a eucalypt branch or a
> cypress branch which would cool the smoke and made it last longer, maybe
> due to the sap and oils from the branches. He would use it all day without
> touching it again.
 
 
Up here in the northern parts of Europe, Eucalypt trees are a bit difficult to find, so we commonly utilise a small piece of 'softboard'( the kind of building material that will absorb fluid rapidly, due to its fibre-rich consistency. This is cut into small rectangles of 10 X 10 cm, and soaked overnight in a [1 + 5 ] solution of either potassium-nitrate KNO3 or natrium-nitrate NaNO3.
 
 
Thre chemical merely assures a smooth glow of the board, I a, mot sure if any laughing gas will emrege from the
burning xNO3 as from  burning Ammonium nitrate
 
 
 
After thoroughly drying the pieces of softboard are stored in a closed container in a dry place, and usage is as follows:
 
1. break off a small piece of the board, light it and blow on it till it glows.
 
2. put into smoker and add tobacco
 
3. add air until tobacco catches fire ( doesnt take longer
   than a few seconds)
 
Works like a charm every time!
 
I never witnessed any ill effects on bees or beekeepers
after years of using this material.
 
sincerely,
                                Hugo Veerkamp
   ####################################################################
   |                          BEENET INTERNATIONAL                    |
   | E-mail :                              | mail : the Bee bbs       |
   | [log in to unmask]        P.O. BOX 51008    |
   |      ( or press reply button)         |        1007EA AMSTERDAM  |
   |                                       |        The Netherlands   |
   | Beenet : 240:31/0                     | modem: +31 20 6764105    |
   | Fidonet: 2:2801/28                    | voice: +31 20 6715663    |
   ####################################################################