Need help indentifying please

[inquiring one]

I would like to know what this item is, and what it is used for. The stone end on the handle has me curious. Thank you.

[Guiness]

The urn gets filled with kerosene or similar and the white stone soaks it up, light it and place in fireplace under wood.

[HomeWood]

My grandparents had one of those. I want to say I remember seeing it near the fireplace but for the life of me can't remember what it was for.

Edit: Guiness answered it. I don't ever recall it being used though. It just sat there for decor I guess.

[Slickcraft]

I would never have guessed. Here is one on ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Cast-Iron-Metal-Fire-Starter-Kit-Heavy-Porcelain-End-Footed-Pot-Lid-/331348050814?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d25e2037e

[RLW]

Great little gadget, but not sure if I would like kerosene that close to an open fire even if it is in a fireplace.:) What if the cow kicks it over???:laugh:

[upthesaukee]

Great little gadget, but not sure if I would like kerosene that close to an open fire even if it is in a fireplace.:) What if the cow kicks it over???:laugh:

..That could never happen, Mrs. O'Leary :eek::laugh:.

[gillygirl]

Never had an issue or a concern when we had a fireplace. Now that we shoved a pellet stove insert into the fireplace, we use it for the outdoor fireplace.

[mcdude]

hmmm..I would've guessed that it's what a priest uses to sprinkle holy water!!

http://www.catholicworldreport.com/Content/Site140/Articles/02_01_2013/1972benxviashwe_00000001162.jpg
.
http://www.sanctamissa.org/en/sacristy/sacristy-sanctuary-and-altar/items-in-the-sacristy-22.jpg

[Kamper]

I would have thought it was for mulling wine and cider.

I'd think it safer to just sprinkle a little kero on the wood rather than have a flaming torch. Life might get too exciting if you didn't let it cool down enough before dropping it back into the pot! Either way, there are much safer ways to get your fire-place lit.

Does it have an odor?

[skprbob]

Guiness does have it right. I remember my family having one of these when I was a kid. Kamper mentions a legitimate concern about putting the hot stone back into the pot - that is solved by the ingenious design of the pot. If one looks inside, I'd bet that the pot has two chambers. One holds the kerosene, the other is kept empty. The empty side provides a place to put the hot stone. After is cools off, it is then moved to the full side to soak up the fuel for use in starting the next fire.

[jetlag100]

My Aunt passed away last spring and my Mom got to go to her house and collect a few things...she remembered my Uncle and I always starting the fire with one of these, so she got it, and gave it to me...I was thrilled to have it. It's almost identical to yours..

[gillygirl]

Guiness does have it right. I remember my family having one of these when I was a kid. Kamper mentions a legitimate concern about putting the hot stone back into the pot - that is solved by the ingenious design of the pot. If one looks inside, I'd bet that the pot has two chambers. One holds the kerosene, the other is kept empty. The empty side provides a place to put the hot stone. After is cools off, it is then moved to the full side to soak up the fuel for use in starting the next fire.
Pot only has one chamber. For me, the bigger fear is the dog knocking it over and kerosene getting all over the hearth.

[mcdude]

:liplick::D Holy water would be much safer!....wouldn't do much for the fire though:):laugh:

[Sue Doe-Nym]

A dog will not knock one over since they are cast iron, low, and quite heavy. We have two of them and they work great as a substitute or supplement for kindling.

[gillygirl]

You've never met my dog! 😁

[Misha888]

That guy on eBay is all excited about the traffic that is being pushed his way . . . he is now thinking "I'm finally going to sell this thing". Nope. Though I must admit, I love unique antiques.

I would never have guessed. Here is one on ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Cast-Iron-Metal-Fire-Starter-Kit-Heavy-Porcelain-End-Footed-Pot-Lid-/331348050814?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d25e2037e