F.A.Q.

Fatwood is a pine wood approximately 8” in length (approximately 3/4” in diameter) which is hand-split from the stump of the pine tree that contains a high concentration of natural resin. This organic resin is 100% all natural and allows the Fatwood to be started with a single match and gives a sustained flame. Fatwood is used to start fireplaces, pellet fuel stoves, barbecues, wood/coal stoves and campfires.

No. We only cut our Fatwood from non-rainforest areas and do not cut live trees. We only cut wood from non-endangered pine species and from forests which maintain sustainable yield forestry practices. The trees are harvested for lumber and our Fatwood is a by-product of this process. A large portion of our fatwood is certified by SCS Global Services.

Fatwood and Fatlighter are slang expressions which have been used in the Southern USA for many, many years that describe the amount of pitch (resin) in the pine wood. Fatwood/Fatlighter is the wood that is cut from the base of the pine tree which has captured the resin from the trunk of the tree. This stump has usually been left to rot in the forest and, therefore, the Fatwood is a by-product. It is then usually cut by hand with a saw and ax.

No. It is 100% all natural with no chemicals or additives of any kind applied to the product.

Fatwood is probably one of the very few, if not the only, 100% naturally derived firestarters. Compare all the benefits of this product to liquid flammable firestarters, flammable pressboard pieces, compressed jet fuel, kerosene soaked products and the inherent dangers they present.

All Fatwood is kindling but not all kindling is Fatwood. Normally hardwoods (such as oak, hickory, etc.) which are rejected during the manufacturing process are sold as kindling. The problem is that kindling does not start as quickly or have a fire as intense as Fatwood and, in addition, requires newspaper to help start the hardwood kindling. To a consumer it looks like they are getting more for their money in volume but, based on the number of pieces needed per fire and the cost, Fatwood provides a lower cost per fire.

Fatwood has an indefinite shelf life. It is not affected at all by moisture. Fatwood sticks can get wet and then be started with a match.

Fatwood was traditionally thought of as a winter product, but these days it sells year-round. From starting fires at home to lighting a campfire or barbecue, Fatwood excels as a multi-use firestarter. We stock product year-round in all our warehouses.

Our fatwood comes in a variety of attractive packaging from 2pc bags up to 50lb boxes.

Yes, with a minimum order, we offer both private labeling and custom packaging to your specifications. We can assist you with artwork and sample presentations for discussion purposes. Visit our Private Label page in the wholesale section for more.

Yes, we can mix our various packaging of Fatwood on a pallet to your specific needs. Each product must be in master carton quantities. Fatwood can also be shipped with other Better Wood Products such as hardwood charcoal, cedar planks & wraps, and kindling.

We firmly believe that our success is due to the fact we import our Fatwood from both Honduras and Mexico in Central America. We have exclusive facilities in which we receive, grade, trim and package the Fatwood ourselves. We control the operations from our offices dictating quality, packaging and shipping. We are buying Fatwood on a year-round basis from our contractors who work exclusively for us in the forests. We are not brokers or wholesalers like others in the Fatwood business.

We have total control of our Fatwood – from the forest directly to our customer! We are the only company in the world to offer environmentally certified Fatwood. We maintain production facilities in two different countries to ensure consistent and timely shipments. We inventory our Fatwood in Hickory, NC and Laredo, TX for prompt shipment to our customers. In addition to packaging our Fatwood overseas, we also support handicap facilities in North Carolina for some of our custom products.

Ace Hardware, LL Bean, Home Depot, Do it Best Stores, The Orvis Company, Light My Fire, Lowe’s, Meijer, Plow & Hearth, Orgill, Walmart, Agway Stores, Southern States, Amazon, Safeway, Food Lion, Tractor Supply, True Value, Menards and many more.

Yes, we have a vendor resource section with hi & low resolution artwork, product logos and more. Please ask.

Yes, all of our products are individually bar coded (UPC-A), as well as master carton bar codes (GTIN-14).

Yes, our prices include freight charges so that the prices we quote are delivered to you. There are no surprises on your cost. Not all companies quote on this same basis!

The Fatwood is shipped in master cartons on pallets from Hickory, North Carolina or Laredo, Texas. We will ship LTL or truckload by common or private carrier.

Our Three Tree Pledge is an ongoing tree planting initiative by Better Wood Products in Central America that plants three trees for every one that is harvested. By purchasing Fatwood, you are contributing to responsible and sustainable forestry practices that will preserve resources for future generations.

SCS Global Services is a leading provider of third-party environmental and sustainability certification, verification and testing. The SCS Salvaged Wood & FiberTM verification recognizes responsible recovery of wood and other cellulosic biomaterial resources. Fatwood Firestarter has been verified under the SCS Salvaged Wood & FiberTM standard for using 100% reclaimed material. * Certified products are marked with the SCS logo. Not all products are certified.

California’s Proposition 65, also called the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, was enacted in 1986. It is intended to help Californians make informed decisions about protecting themselves from chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. Fatwood sold in California is required to carry the warning due to carbon monoxide exposure resulting from the combustion of any wood. All of our products carry the necessary legal warnings to comply with this law.