The ability to make fire has been necessary for survival for as long as there has been civilization, and some would argue even before that. It’s a basic survival need. As you might have heard September is National Preparedness Month, so I thought I’d round up several ways for you to start a fire to give you some options – it’s always good to have options!
Fire Starters
Start A Fire Anytime/Anyplace With A DIY Altoids Fire Starter Kit by Seed To Pantry School
This compact kit fits into an Altoids tin, and contains several different ignition sources and tinder items.
Homemade Fire Starters by Mama Kautz
I think every cub scout has probably made these egg carton fire starters at least once – you just need wax, dryer lint, and a paper egg carton.
Do Homemade Waterproof Matches Work? by Apartment Prepper
Your box of matches is no good if it gets wet. You can buy waterproof matches, but why not make your own for a fraction of the cost?
Get Your Kids Involved: How to Create Pill Bottle Firestarters by Mom, With A Prep
This is a great project that the kids can do – we included these type of fire starters in our DIY kit.
The Ultimate Guide To Making Fire by Survival At Home
This article discusses everything from “rubbing two sticks together” to using electricity and lenses to start your fire.
Reviews
The Best Pocket Fire Spark I’ve Tried: Aurora Firestarter by Graywolf Survival
There really is a difference between the magnesium firestarters you see hanging in Wal-Mart and a good quality sparker. This fire starter has the magnesium built in to the rod, so you get a hotter spark that lasts longer, without all the extra scraping.
Fire Logs & Other Fuel
Once you’ve got your fire going, you need fuel to burn. Here are a couple of bonus projects that will let you burn something other than just a log.
How To Make Newspaper Logs For Your Fire by Instructables
Newspaper logs are a great source of fuel when mixed with other logs in your fireplace. They will produce more ash than regular wood, but the emissions are less harmful, so you’re both recycling and burning cleaner fuel at the same time.
How To Make A Coffee Fire Log by Instructables
Apparently coffee grounds actually release more heat than wood when burned. This project shows you how to make a coffee log using wax, molasses and coffee grounds, and should give your next fire that great Starbucks smell!
