your favorite REAL fire starting methods.

[sagebrush]

Sawdust mixed with parafin in paper egg cartons works good for realfires

I was going to say gasoline, but someone might take it serious. Don't want to step on cold toes y'know

[Dale M.]

Dale

[Mukilteo]

There is a whole thread on "Easy off beat fire starters" that is a fun read.
http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=23627&hilit=fire+starter

[hugh]

When I take my trailer along for camping, part of the cargo includes a chainsaw. The chainsaw means there is a gas can. So yes, I build the pile of firewood and pour maybe a quart of gas on it with a small line out around 2 or 3 feet away. Note I pull my trailer to remote out of the way spots acessable to 4 wheel drives and quads and only use this method in areas where I will not set the forest on fire, usually a sandy type soil or rock. Anyway wait about 4 minutes and toss a match. Perhaps not politically correct but it works.

[Wanna Be]

The old fashioned way,

Dryer lint, Some paper (if I have any),
and the kindeling, and then bigger wood.

Works every time !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sometimes I have been known to cheat and use a fire starter block, BUT thats cheating


Wanna Be

[robfisher]

For satisfaction the log cabin fire lay is my choice. Oh sure, when I was a young punk I thought you couldn't beat white gas poured on the wood gaining an instant blaze but now that I've matured I learned the joy in taking my time. A proper log cabin is a fire of artistic love, and the heat it produces is a better heat all evening long. I use the method now with every fire in our fireplace, which is several times a week.

I used to use the tipi, which works fine enough but it always left an emptyness. The log cabin warms from the inside, before you even strike the match. Call me crazy, but try it a few times. You'll see what I mean.

[jeffmutch]

For several years I held the record for the fasted Flint and Steel started fire at the yearly boy scout camp.

14 seconds from the time they say go, to the time my kindling was lit with an actual flame. I don't know if it still stands but I was pretty proud of myself then..

Lately I'm less ambitious so I wad up old newspaper and blow for several minutes until it gets going.

[aggie79]

We do a hybrid fire build. First wad up a couple of paper towels or sheets of newspaper. Then throw on a little kindling. Then stack small branches log cabin style around the pile. Last, stock larger branches or split logs in a tepee arrangement. Light the paper towels and sit back and enjoy.

[Vedette]

We have a crusher ring in the back yard as a fire pit.
I Like to load it up for a full "White Man's Fire" then I go in the shop and grab the gun wash can and give the fire a liberal dose.
Put the can back in while the gun wash soaks in. Then go back out and throw a match on the pile.
Poof....instant Fire read to Party!
Works everytime no matter what the weather conditions are????
Good Roads
Brian

[bdosborn]

Sorry, not very exciting and I usually only need one.

Bruce

[jss06]

Old cotton sock soaked in diesel. When I had my truck I would use the fuel I drained from the fuel water seperator to soak them. A single sock would burn for 10 minutes. It will light very easy and is safe.

[bdosborn]

Old cotton sock soaked in diesel.

Yeah, I wondered why I had all those single socks! Great tip, I never thought about using the water separator for access to diesel.

Bruce

[Corwin C]

I get to spend quite a bit of time with 11 year old scouts. I make it a point to teach them how to safely start a fire in as many ways as possible. The only things I don't allow (also against scouting guidelines) are flammable gasses or liquids. We use matches, lighters (butane and zippo), flint and steel, magnesium fire starter, steel wool and a battery, sunshine through a lens, sunshine off the polished curved bottom of a soda can, sunshine through ziplock bag of water, hand drill and bow drill, and using a fire piston. A fire piston is one of the most impressive ways to start a fire in front of an audience. I have a clear fire piston similar to this one so everyone can clearly see the "flash" as the tinder starts.



I also teach how to make char cloth, and how to find and prepare tinder and fuel without using any tools. In fact, one of the best fire starters are Fritos. They light easily and burn a long time.



Having the skill to safely start and maintain a fire is, in my opinion, an absolute necessity if you spend any time in the outdoors.

[Ptomaine]

The way my Dad taught me. White gas, one match, and always followed by a big smile and two simple words..........
................Instant fire !!

[jss06]

My other favorite is cotton balls and petrolium jelly. They are not caustinc like diesel or lighter fluid. When prepared correctly they will burn for a couple of minutes and will light with a single spark from a flint and steel. But you need to use 100% cotton and not the synthetics. Best thing is they are small and light weight. You can pack enough for a dozen starters in your pocket.

To make them you work a finger full of PJ into the surface of the cotton ball.

To use them you open up the fibers of the ball to allow the spark from the flint and steel a place to land. They light well with a single match as well.