One of the greatest skills that man has ever mastered was how to use fire starters to create fire at will.

But as technology became better (matches, lighters etc.) we have become more and more dependant on those items.

Let’s get one thing straight, there are plenty of ways to start a fire using sticks, stones etc. and I won’t be discussing those in this article, in particular, instead we are going to go over fire starters that work best with lighters, matches etc.

After all, just cause you have matches, doesn’t necessarily mean you will start a fire when out camping.

In fact, if you consider that out in nature you have to deal with the elements and moist materials, you will soon realise how a simple fire starter can really set you up for victory and make you look like a total boss in front of everyone else.

Before you jump into the fantastic fire starters included on this page make sure you pack everything that you require for your camping trip by using the Ultimate Camping Check List

The Simplest Fire Starters

Let’s start off with the simplest possible fire starters, ones you don’t have to put any effort into.

Waxed Cardboard (waxxy)

The waxes cardboard box is one of my favourite fire starters. You can find these boxes at fruit stalls, and usually, they try and get rid of them for free.

This means you can end up with fire starters for months as one box can be cut up into plenty of small manageable pieces (about the size and width of 2 fingers per piece)

The idea is that waxed cardboard burns well, just like a candle, it burns for longer which in turn allows for other materials to catch fire better.

To carry this with you, just place it in a waterproof bag, tin etc and as it is lightweight and small you won’t know its there until you need to use it.

Additionally, when I used to go camping, my friends and I would place boxes onto the fire and stand close to it. Once the box lit up the heat was so intense that everyone ran away from the fire.

The waxxy challenge as it was known in my circle of friends was to see who could stand next to the fire the longest.

Needless to say, this is dangerous and could cause burns to the skin or worse. Do this at your own risk.

Dryer Lint

Almost every house seems to have a dryer these days which is not only super convenient for drying clothes but afterwards, the filter gets full of super dry lint.

This lint is absolute magic and if you collect enough of it and store it in a dry bag, you can be sure to light up fires nice and easily.

It is also super lightweight, you can easily store it in dry bags and best of all it takes barely any effort to collect

Pine Cones

Pine cones are natures greatest fire starters.

Once they drop to the ground and have dried up they literally burn like a firecracker due to all the oils that they have on them, they tend to set a light really quickly and when burning the give off a really distinct but relaxing crackle.

This is a very effective fire starter and best of all you might come across it while camping, which in turn makes it easy to collect and throw on the fire.

To make it even more effective, just dip it into wax and it will burn quite a bit longer for you.

Corn Chips

Who would have thought that an unhealthy snack could not only be super tasty but also quite an amazing fire starter?

That is right, corn chips that are sprinkled with greasy flavourings will catch fire but also continue burning for quite some time.

Th, in turn, means you have an excuse for bringing chips on your next campsite and additionally you can use the bag afterwards to collect all your rubbish.

Orange Peels

Oranges are not only delicious to eat but at the same time smell amazing and can light a fire quite well due to all the oils in the skin.

If you take the time to dry out the orange peels, they become super easy to carry around, and when it is time to use them they will light up quickly, but also make everything smell amazing.

Best thing is that something that used to be waste can now become a fantastic fire starter at your next campsite.

And this gives you more of an excuse to bring plenty of oranges with you on your next camping trip.

You can also bring mandarins, in fact any citrus fruit will work.

Pencil Shavings

Chances are you have a pencil and sharpener at home, and if you use them quite often, instead of throwing out the shavings you should collect them and store them in a bag.

As they are super dry pieces of wood they will catch fire quite easily and if you sharpen your pencils often you will end up with plenty of this super lightweight and effective fire starter in no time.

Just make sure to store the shavings in a waterproof bag and you are ready to go.

As an added tip, take the pencil sharpener with you into the forest and if you are in need of fire starters, then find smaller pieces of wood and shave them down to create on the go fire starters.

Vaseline covered cotton balls

For this one, you will require a cot

ton balls vaseline and something to store your vaseline covered cotton balls

All you have to do is dip the cotton balls into the vaseline, it’s going to get a bit messy and I tried using rubber gloves but they made the whole process much more difficult.

I recommend just scooping it up and rolling it in your hands. Once you do that pop it into an airtight bag for storage and also so it doesn’t mess up your gear.

Maybe actually double wrap it 🙂

Stuffed Toilet Paper Rolls

Once you are down to the end of your toilet paper roll, grab it, stuffed it with the remainder of the paper.

You can add cotton balls, smothered in vaseline as well and in fact store all your fire starting necessities in the tube

such as a lighter, flint and steel, matches etc.

The best thing about the toilet paper roll is that it’s lightweight, you can stuff it with many different fire starters and it makes it super convenient to carry.

By making sure that you have an adequate amount of knowledge about fire starters, you will be able to find the one that best suits your needs.

When it comes time to use them in the wilderness, others will be amazed at your amazing fire lighting skills and will ask you what DIY fire starters you use and how to make them

Twigs

When it comes to fire starters for camping, twigs are the unsung heroes of the wilderness. These small, dry branches are nature’s kindling, ready to ignite with just a spark. They’re abundant in most camping areas, making them a cost-effective and eco-friendly option. Remember, the drier the twig, the better it will burn. So, next time you’re out camping, don’t just walk past those twigs – pick them up and give them a starring role in your fire-starting saga!

Coal wrapped up in Egg Cartons

Coal on its own won’t start a fire really easily, but once it catches alight it becomes very difficult to put out.

So to be able to use it as a fire starter. Wrap up the coals in an egg carton to get the initial fire going and then afterwards it will burn and provide enough fuel to keep the fire going.

You could also wrap up the coal in a paper towel covered in Vaseline.

Rope: A Versatile Fire Starter

Rope might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of fire starters, but it’s surprisingly effective! If you have a natural fiber rope like jute or cotton, you’re in luck. These materials are excellent for starting fires.

To use a rope as a fire starter, begin by unraveling it. The individual fibers of the rope serve as perfect tinder. They catch fire quickly, providing the initial spark needed to ignite larger pieces of wood. The beauty of using a rope is that it’s not just a one-and-done deal. You can use a small portion of your rope for fire-starting purposes and still have plenty left for other camping needs.

But the benefits of using a rope as a fire starter don’t stop there. A rope is a multi-use tool that’s already a staple in your camping gear. It’s used for everything from setting up tents to hanging clothes to dry. Adding fire-starting to its list of uses makes it an even more valuable part of your camping kit. So next time you’re packing for a camping trip, remember to bring along a rope. It’s a win-win situation!

Newspaper: The Classic Fire Starter

Despite the digital age we’re in today, newspapers make an incredibly effective fire starter. The thin, mailable paper sets alight quickly due to its dry nature and even the ink adds extra fuel, helping to perpetuate the flame until bigger logs are on board. To maximize their potential as a fire starter, roll or bunch up your newspaper sheets and watch the sparks fly. Alternatively, twist them into a tight “rope” configuration and tie it in a knot for a prolonged burning base. But wait; there’s still more! While you’re waiting for your fire to pick up its pace, flip through the news headlines – be it about sports, comics or other stories- and seek enjoyment out of the articles! Just remember to keep a few pages aside for your campfire.!

Wood Friction Fire (Bowdrill, Hand Drill, Fire Plow, Fire Saw)

Unleash your inner Bear Grylls with the primitive yet effective wood friction fire methods. These techniques, which include the bowdrill, hand drill, fire plow, and fire saw, are as old as humanity itself, and they tap into the raw power of nature to create fire.

The bowdrill method involves creating friction between a bow and a drill. The bow, typically a curved piece of wood with a string attached at both ends, is moved back and forth, spinning the drill against a fireboard. This friction generates heat, creating an ember that can be transferred to a tinder bundle and gently blown into a flame.

The hand drill method is similar to the bowdrill but uses manual power to spin the drill. It requires more effort but offers a more direct connection with the fire-making process.

The fire plow and fire saw methods involve rubbing two pieces of wood together until the friction creates an ember. These methods require a bit more effort and skill but can be highly effective with the right materials and technique.

These wood friction fire methods require patience, practice, and a bit of sweat and tears. But the reward is immense – the primal satisfaction of creating fire from scratch, using only what nature provides. Plus, mastering these techniques will undoubtedly earn you the respect and admiration of your fellow campers!

Flint and Steel (or Ferro-rod strikers)

When it comes to reliable and weather-resistant fire-starting methods, flint and steel, or ferro-rod strikers, are hard to beat. These tools tap into the ancient art of fire-making, using the simple yet powerful principle of creating sparks to ignite tinder.

Flint and steel work by striking a piece of flint against a steel striker. The hard flint shaves off tiny particles from the steel, which ignite in the air, creating sparks. These sparks are then caught in a char cloth or other tinder, which can be gently blown into a flame.

Ferro-rod strikers work on a similar principle. The ferro-rod, made from a mix of iron and other metals, produces hot sparks when scraped with a striker. These sparks are hotter and more abundant than those produced by flint and steel, making it easier to ignite tinder.

Flint and steel and ferro-rod strikers are favorites among survivalists, bushcraft enthusiasts, and experienced campers. They’re compact, durable, and work in all weather conditions, including rain and snow. Plus, there’s a certain romance to creating fire with sparks, a connection to our ancestors who first discovered the magic of fire.