Fire Starter

Expert’s Picks: Fire Starter

Fire Starter Survival DIY

A survival situation will almost always warrant a fire, even if you are in the middle of the desert. Cold nights and the need for food will require heat and an ignition source. Although many people carry matches and lighters, there are other ways to start a fire using more rudimentary setups. It is a good idea to be well acquainted with several ignition sour… read more
How to Make Amazing Fire Starters

It can be frustrating when you try to light a campfire and the wood just won't seem to catch. Sometimes it's because it's windy, or the wood is too damp. Sometimes there doesn't seem to be a good reason. One way to kick-start your fire is to use a fire starter. You do not need to purchase one at a camp store. You can make amazing fire starters using a few ho… read more
How Do I Make My Own Fire Starter?

Fire starters can be made from anything that will catch fire quickly and burn long enough to ignite other materials. Natural materials such as teasel or thistle heads have long, dry stems. If they are dipped in an accelerant such as wax, grease or alcohol, they will ignite under nearly any condition. read more
How to Make a Flint & Steel Fire Starter

A fire may mean the difference between life and death when in the back country. Fire is a means for warmth, cooked food and safe boiled water, and it helps keep predators away from your camp. While a match or lighter may seem like a safe bet, more often than not they get wet and will no longer work. Flint and steel can be dried and reused time and time again… read more
How to Make Coal Fire Starters

When using charcoal for a cooking fire, you usually need some type of fire starter to get the coals going. At home you'd use lighter fluid, but if you are out in the woods camping, it is not a good idea to carry along combustible materials. In this case, bring along a homemade fire starter that is safe for transport and will create the flame you need to keep… read more

Related Fire Starter Articles & Videos

How to Make Fire Starters for a Campfire

There are quite a few different recipes for making your own fire starters to use on a camping trip. Here's one where you can likely find most of the ingredients right at your home. If you have some pine cones and some paraffin, you're… read more
How to Make Fire Starters From Pine Cones

Starting a fire is a crucial part of camping (when allowed by the area management agency), especially when the weather is wet. These simple-to-make pine cone fire-starters are great ways to create a fire. One of the interesting feature… read more
How to Make Amazing Fire Starters

Many commercial manufacturers produce ready-to-use fire starters, but you can make one yourself with a few basic items. Ingredients for an effective fire starter include a combustible material such as dryer lint to light and burn long… read more
How to Make Fire Starters From Pine Cones

If you love the time-saving convenience of starting a fire in a flash then you may be up for making a batch of these homemade fire starters. Pine cone fire starters are not only handy, but decorative as well and can add a homey appeal… read more
Making Fire Starters

A campfire is essential in the great outdoors. While constructing the fire can be a fun task, there are times when lighting a fire and finding dry firewood are a hassle. By preparing a camping box with a few homemade fire starters, e… read more
How to Make Fire Starters With Sawdust

Sawdust can be used as a base for a fire starter. Most local lumber yards will give you their sawdust outright or charge a nominal fee. Sawdust is also available from landscapers or tree pruning services. Sawdust is light, which makes… read more
How to Make Pine Cone Fire Starters

A pine cone fire starter may be a cute craft project, but it is also a useful camping tool. Pine cone fire starters do everything commercial ones do, and cost practically nothing to make. Your cone will burn for long enough to ignite d… read more
How Make Wax Fire Starters

Many commercial fire starters are made out of a combination of wood and wax. Why not save some money and make your own version at home? These fire starters will burn for five minutes or longer, giving you plenty of time to ignite the t… read more
Instructions to Make Fire Starters

When it comes to fire starters, wax is your friend. Paraffin, beeswax and other kinds can be poured on top of virtually anything flammable and nontoxic to make an excellent fire starter. In most homes, you will find everything you nee… read more
How to Make Homemade Fire Starters

Many homemade and commercial fire starters are made with wax and a flammable solid such as wood chips or lint. Although these fire starters burn quite well with a match, many of them cannot be ignited with a spark, which can make them… read more
Fire Starters Used by the Forestry Service

It seems counter-intuitive that the United States Forest Service, the organization employed to protect and govern national forests, would intentionally start forest fires, yet that is exactly what it does each year. Prescribed burns he… read more
How to Make Camp Fire Starters with Wax Paraffin

A homemade camp fire starter made with paraffin wax and sawdust will help you light up your campfire without a great deal of effort or frustration. Making a fire starter is not an exact science and the process allows you to recycle som… read more
Fire Starters Flint Sticks Lifetime Uses

Fire starters and flint sticks are made of metal and minerals and, unlike matches, will survive anything from damp air to a dunk in the creek. Carry them as a backup to your waterproof matches. Fire starters and flint sticks won't get… read more
How to Make Fire Starters With Book Matches

A fire starter is helpful on camping or hiking trips, especially during cold weather when you need to start a campfire quickly for warmth or cooking purposes. Fire starters are available for sale at sporting goods shops or outdoorsman… read more
Homemade Flint Fire Starters

When camping at a backwoods location or other site, it is essential that you know how to use a homemade flint fire starter. Using only flint, steel and tinder, you can start a fire at your camp site. Once flames appear, it's easy to fa… read more

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Editor's Pick

Backcountry Camping Tips

You've already tried car and RV camping. You've camped at commercial campsites that had a convenient restroom and water supply. Now, you want to explore the road less traveled. Backcountry camping, also known as primitive camping, is a wonderful way to explore the remote...
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Beach Camping Near Pismo Beach, California

Pismo State Beach, California, has many attractions and activities including camping, swimming, hiking and wildlife viewing. Birdwatching is one of the primary activities in the area. The park also has the largest over-wintering colony of monarch butterflies in the natio...
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Common Sense Hiking Tips

The first and most fundamental thing is never hike alone. There are too many situations, especially as an unexperienced hiker, where you may find yourself without anyone to help you. So the buddy system works and applies very much in hiking.
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