A simple and quick method of lighting a fire without the use of paper, wood, or charcoal is of great convenience at times. This object can be obtained by the use of the arrangement illustrated herewith. It consists of material which can be procured at any plumber's and costs very little. Three 3/8-inch pipe nipples A, three I inch nipples B, a standard hose connection C . one 3/8-inch plug D, and three standard 3/8 x 1 inch air mixers or tees E, such as are usually used in vulcanizers, form a list of the fittings necessary.

These tees E are 3/8 inch on the run and 1 inch on the outlet. The outlet end is closed back of the thread except for a small hole F of about 1/32 inch diameter, and they have 5/16 inch air holes G on both sides. With the 1 inch nipples they make first-class Bunsen burners.

The fittings are arranged as shown in Fig. 285, and are supported by a 3/4 x 1/8 inch flat iron stand H I, made high enough to permit the entire apparatus to be placed in the ashpit of the range and still kept as close as possible to the grate bars.

The number of burners must of course be made to suit each grate, but for the ordinary case, two or three will be sufficient. To light the fire, the burners are placed in the ashpit, close to the grates, and with the range full of coal they are lighted. The coal catches fire very quickly, and the burner may be removed. Of course, the attachment between the burner and the fixture should be by rubber hose, and the entire apparatus occupies such small space that it can be easily stowed away in a small space.

Fig. 285 - Section through range showing lighter in place.

Fig. 286 - A general view of the fire lighter.