Dead Simple Camp Fire Starter

This all may be very common knowledge, but I thought I would share anyway. I've seen lots of camp fire starting products online and in stores. Some look promising, some don't. So in true Instructables fashion I figured I would just make my own. This idea works off of the old trick of starting a fire with fine steel wool and an 9 volt battery. Read on.

Step 1 Gather Your Materials

Three simple and common items are needed:

Steel Wool
Cotton Balls
9 Volt battery

Steel wool comes in several grades. You will need a fine (thin) grade for this to work. I have chosen grade 000. Other grades may work as well. I found my steel wool in the painting section of my local Miejer store for three dollars. I'm sure you could also find this at places like Wal-Mart, K-Mart or any hardware store.

The cotton balls can be found almost every where, I paid one dollar for a giant bag at my local dollar store.

The 9 volt battery can be found most anywhere as well. I paid three dollars for mine. 

Comments

[lucyneil]

This sounds great and I will certainly try it. I have my own totally waterproof fire starters that float so they are very handy on the trail. You take abour 4 sheets of newspaper and keeping them together cut into 11/2 inch strips. Take 4 strips at a time and roll them into a tight roll. Tie a twist tie around them leaving some sticking out which will serve as a handle. In a double boiler melt any kind of wax and then soak the rolls for 10 or 14 minutes. Take them out, and allow them to harden. I generally leave the twist ties on to hold for easy lighting but you don't have to. Put them in your car, your pocket, your backpack. When you wan't to light it start to unfray the end and it will catch on fire on the windiest, wettest days.

[calskin]

cool :) Thanks.

[mcpguru]

Anyone try this with lower voltage? (like cell phone battery?)

Sorry, I should have started with "thanks, and very cool," since it is.

[bushcraftnewbie]

if you soak the cotton in petrolium jelly (vasoline) it'll burn for longer with a more sustained flame. i use these kind of fire starters all of the time!

[tdem]

Very nice! I'd never heard of this one.