Why Doesn't Shiny Paper Burn Very Well?

#diy #firestarter #fire

Shiny paper, like magazine pages and product packages, doesn't ignite easily, or continue to burn readily. Even if you get it to burn by throwing it into a fire already burning, the ash has a weird scaly appearance. What gives?

These types of paper and card stocks are what is called "coated." They are coated with a shiny clay compound to give the stock or printed item more appeal. Clay is extracted from the earth. Plainly put, it's a form of "dirt." Have you ever seen dirt burn well? Me neither. So, the clay-coated stock simply doesn't burn as well, because you are attempting to ignite a mixture of paper and clay.

Now you know!

[RockT]

What an odd thing I've only briefly thought about