Durantefarm, I want to comment on how you describe that you go about starting a fire. Your method isn't very efficient by starting with some kindling, then it sounds like you're opening the door to add some slightly larger pieces, and finally opening the door again to add the final big splits. I think a better method, for a cold start, is to load your big splits on the bottom, then the medium size pieces, and finally the kindling on top to do a top down fire. What I like to do, and this seems to work really well if you have your primary air intake at the front of the stove/insert, is to put a couple of small pieces of wood, perhaps an inch to an inch and a half in diameter, north /south on the very bottom out near where the ends of the big splits will be able to rest on them going east/west . This creates an air channel underneath your entire load so that the primary air is flowing in from the bottom and passing through all the wood as it feeds the fire.
For a fire starter I will cut up some waxed half gallon milk cartons (my wife drinks lots of milk) or some waxed cardboard from boxes nurseries ship plants in. I cut this material into strips an inch wide and about 8-10 inches long. I slip a few of these into the kindling and usually one match gets everything burning. I keep my side loading door cracked a quarter inch or so for a good draft until the kindling is burning strong and has fallen into the next size pieces of wood at the next lower level and then I can usually shut the door and fire will keep building.
