Here’s the thing. I ha rushed gas station fire wood to my detriment, so not I typically cut, split and dry firewood with my father in law for better quality fires. Maybe this first try with the plugs is because I use better wood, maybe it because i use newspaper interweaved in the stack to help hold flame, or maybe it because its a solid product but this was the fastest and easiest fire pit fit I have ever lit, it was an instantaneous difference.