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easy longlasting firestarter

This fire starter is so easy and last a long time. Great for camping.

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Step 1Tools

You will need steel wool and a 9volt battery That it.

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35 comments

Jan 21, 2012. 11:24 AMbattle says:

how long does it take for the steel wool to light

Dec 9, 2008. 8:40 PMcomputerfaker3 says:

wow quote DANGEROUS! IT COULD START A FIRE ha ha nice

Jan 20, 2012. 3:09 PMbattle says:

good joke

Jun 27, 2008. 5:44 AMheyzuphowsitgoin says:

DANGEROUS! IT COULD START A FIRE :D nice job i never woulda thought steel wool would heat up from a 9 volt battery!

Jul 1, 2008. 8:35 AMDerin says:

thats what this thing is for-starting fires!

Jul 1, 2008. 9:31 AMheyzuphowsitgoin says:

yes i no i was joking

Jan 20, 2012. 3:08 PMbattle says:

you usd the wrong type of no. its know

Jul 1, 2008. 9:43 AMDerin says:

oh ok

Jul 17, 2008. 11:56 AMDerin says:

here is the bottom line :P

Apr 30, 2009. 6:21 AMRebelchief says:

just in case someone doesn't know....the steel wool is causing a direct short on the battery terminals. this causes sparks, starting a fire. while this won't cause a "shock" to the user, it will cause burns to the fingers/hands.

Jul 13, 2011. 2:55 AMcornflaker says:

... I did this many times when i was younger and never burnt myself, it just takes a little common sense (e.g. don't touch the steel wool when its hot. I mean you don't go holding your fingers in the flame of your lighter while your trying to start a fire do you?)

Jun 23, 2011. 3:05 PM

Electronics Man says:

I definatly agree with bajablue A blowtorch is always best but I have used this method to start fires and it works great

Jun 18, 2011. 1:47 PM

bajablue says:

Sorry... the easiest, BEST way to start a fire is by using a handheld propane blow torch...( just sayin'.) but this is truly GREAT!

Jun 18, 2011. 1:44 PM

bajablue says:

Wow! This is like watching a McGuyver rerun. LOVE IT!!!!!!

Feb 21, 2011. 4:06 AM.Hexx. says:

Isn't this a dangerous procedure?

Mar 3, 2011. 7:13 PMSchpool says:

Only in the fact that when steel wool burns it poduces a poisonous gas that is harmful when inhaled. so as a precaution it is best to try to avoid the smoke that rises off of it.

Sep 17, 2010. 7:51 PMArcticLiz says:

Is it necessary to blow on it??

Dec 10, 2008. 2:06 PMcomputerfaker3 says:

what else can a 9volt battery start on fire?

Apr 16, 2010. 3:45 PMadam 101 says:

it will start a pencil on fire. sharpen both ends of a wood pencil and wire the graphite (pencil lead) to the battery. It may take a little while but it will get very hot!

Aug 20, 2008. 9:02 AMbustedit says:

does the 9v have to be new/fully charged? and how many times can the battery be used? thanks for the tip!

Aug 20, 2008. 2:35 PMpoiu12340 (author) says:

I think it works with old batteries It depends how old it is. it should work about I have done 5 times with 1 battery but it should work more than that. another thing is that it works better on some types of steel wool.

Apr 10, 2010. 5:49 PMclemsonguy1125 says:

ive used one about 20 and it is still working

Oct 6, 2008. 10:38 AMhenrywfstone says:

the newer the battery the better... it heats up the steel wool and it can set dry grass or other tinder alight. not great for camping as it doesn't work well when wet.

Dec 11, 2008. 11:58 PMcornflaker says:

But it does still work. Normal matches, and using friction methods won't work when wet, and it also doesn't need the sun like a magnifying glass or reflector.

Jul 12, 2011. 10:41 PMFaquad says:

you can also ignite it with a "metal match" method (google Metal Match if you want more info)

Jan 6, 2009. 9:11 AMjoe999999 says:

How long does the starter last? Does it depend on the amount of steel wool and/or the volts of the battery. And thanks for your post. I will no longer need to ask my husband to pleaassee start a fire!!

Jan 6, 2009. 3:57 PMpoiu12340 (author) says:

It depends on the amount of steel wool not because of volt. But you need 9 volt battery because it is easy to start it with that. only fine steel wool will work. most will work but sometimes you will find some that doesn't work.

Aug 4, 2008. 5:34 PMalfpwns says:

where u get steel woll?

Dec 29, 2008. 9:05 AMThelonelysandwitch says:

everywhere, Brillo pads will also work, the finer the better.

Aug 5, 2008. 6:14 AMpoiu12340 (author) says:

You can get it at target, homedepot, Ace hardware

Nov 4, 2008. 5:35 AMfinnster says:

2 D cells will actually catch it on fire (big bubba's dad showed me)

Oct 30, 2008. 6:23 AMwiebevandomburg.hotmail.com says:

you can use any battery above 4.5 v and it lasts more then 20 times , i used it to light fireworks , after 20 pieces we had to stop , not because the battery died , but there were no more fireworks