DIY Firestarters
Browse every list of the 10 Essentials, and you will find firestarters. Instead of spending time looking for wet twigs and moss, or buying expensive magnesium firestarters, let me show you how to make a firestarter that is inexpensive, lightweight, and uses common household materials.
Materials needed:
- Tampons - make sure they are made with the cardboard applicators
- Dryer lint – always save the lint when cleaning the lint trap of the dryer! (especially towels!)
- Tea light candles
Unwrap the tampon, and while holding the string, stuff the first part of the applicator with the dryer lint. Light the tea light candle and let a good pool of wax form. Carefully pour the melted wax from the candle on top of the tampon. You want to make a nice tidy plug covering the dryer lint. Allow the string to hang freely, this will be your “fuse.”
When the wax has hardened, your firestarter is ready to put in your pack. For the field, simple light the string, and the applicator will catch fire and burn. You can then begin adding small twigs, and then small pieces of wood.. During a field test, the first part of the applicator burned on its own for over five minutes. Soon, you will have a nice warm, fire.
