
Subject: Re: Fire Starting
From: Rick Bowen <Rick
Date: Mon, 03 Feb 1997 08:37:44 -0600

Otto wrote:
> 
> During a WET camping trip, we were having a bad time of trying
> to start a fire.  However, someone dug into his pack and brought
> out a solution - fire starters.
> 
> The design was simple, take a bottle (in this case a Rx bottle) and
> fill it with cotton balls.  Next, add alcohol (isopropyl) and put the
> cap back on.  It worked quite well, though I am sure the "design" could
> be improved.
> 
> two fire starters that i have used are:
> strips of paper about one inch wide and ten inches long rolled up and tied
> with heavy string you then dip these (use the loose end of the string to
> hold it) into melted wax(from used candle stubs you have melted). lite one
> of these under some tinder and your fire making is easier.(use the string
> end coated in wax as a wick)
> the other is best for charcoal fires
> take an old egg carton(the paper type) and use the side with the egg
> holders(not the lid) fill these with lint from your clothes dryer and saw
> dust , next pour melted wax from old candle stubs onto these indivual
> sections of egg carton filled with sawdust and lint then break them up
> into seperate pieces when cool.
> take a coffee can (open on one end and air holes cut into the sides at the
> bottom of the other end all around the can[an old beer opener works best
> here]) put one or two of your fire starters in the bottom(be sure you can
> reach them with a match thru the air holes) next place charcoal in the can
> ontop of the firestarters and lite the starters (this may produce some
> whit smoke when it first starts but will get the charcoal going nicely)
> when the coals are white dump them into your grill and your ready to go.
> Remember the can will be hot!!

Take the dryer lint, and flint and steel. Strike flint and steel onto 
dryer lint. Stand back. Watch the pretty flames. (Man that stuff goes up 
quick) Seriously, the above recommendation with lint and candle wax is 
excellent for wet fire, but lint alone for a dry fire can't be beat. I 
fired up two fires this weekend with two swipes of flint and steel on 
each fire. 
Rick
-- 
