Building the worlds best Firestarter

[GSequoia]

Each ball usually burns for about 15 - 20 min for me.

That sounds like a personal problem...

 

[asp]

I have used this before with flint to show off.

You can also use egg cartons to put the lint/wax in. Here on the east coast, fuel is never a problem and I have found as long as I build a good structure, I have no problems starting any fire. Using lighter fluid or gas usually fails.

I used to build the lean-to, now I have switched to the log cabin.

Magnesium is even cooler, but takes longer to set up.

I too am a fan of the log cabin. A little bit of prep work goes a long way. I'm often too lazy to do it right when I light a fire in the fire pit in my yard and that's when the lighter fluid comes out.

 

[xj-grin]

I'll attest how well this works, we've been using little lint/parafin "logs" as starters for years when backpacking (I usually just use a little girl scout firestarter when I've got the Jeep and coleman products) and they seriously kick arse -- I hadn't seen the egg carton deal before, that really would simplify making them -- great tip!

 

[ECKSJAY]

I'll stick to my store-bought road flares.

 

[flingshot]

Making mine this weekend.

 

[Wayne Sihler]

It,s best to use a "double-Boiler" to melt the wax. Not as great of a chance of an un-wanted fire in the house.:flame:

 

[Tom95YJ]

I've always used Steel wool and a 9V battery to start fires.

 

[5-90]

Neat trick - although I've always used the cotton ball/Vaseline formula myself.

HELPFUL HINT - Ever hear of a "double boiler?" For those of you who don't know, it's a small empty pan inside a larger pan with water - you put the whole deal on the stove to heat something up.

Why? Because what you're heating is either sensitive to heat (this is common in candymaking) or marginally flammable (wax, petroleum jelly, ...)

In the first case, the water jacket helps to prevent "hot spots" and allow for even heating.

In the second, the water jacket helps to prevent uneven heating and sudden fires.

I used to help Nanna with canning - and we invariably melted the paraffin wax for some stuff in a double boiler. Slowly ramp the heat up until the wax starts melting - then just give it a very slight bump upwards and finish the job.