5 best FIRE STARTERS you can make at Home!

Рет қаралды 127,446

Күн бұрын

Knowing how to start a fire in foul weather could save your life. This week I’ll show you 5 of the best fire starters you can make at home. Having a few fire starters in your pack will make it much easier to build a fire no matter the weather conditions. These are cheap and easy to make with readily available materials that you probably already have at your home. Cotton balls, Vaseline, a plastic straw, an egg crate and some shredded paper for instance.
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Пікірлер: 276

@rg3412 5 ай бұрын

This straw and cotton ball idea is pure genius

@kareander67 Жыл бұрын

As a Swede, living in scandinavia, its really nice to compare your outdoor solutions with mine in my own environment. Very simple, down to earth advice from you. Well done, keep that fire burning 👏👌

@tracycolorado Жыл бұрын

Words to the wise , take a thick rubber band , wrap it around the lighter in between the gas lever and lighter body , so when the lighter is in your pocket or pack , it doesn't accidentally get the gas lever pressed to lose all of your gas fuel , you can also use rubber band as fuel for starting a fire too

@justjonoutdoors 5 ай бұрын

I use a short piece of paracord with a jam-knot on it for the same purpose.

@RiverbendlongbowsOutdoors Жыл бұрын

Very good 👍🏻 Chapstick and a piece of my cotton t-shirt saved me back in 89. Got caught in a rain and Sleet storm fishing deep in the Gila. Closest I've been to hypothermia. Great tips 👌

@sacwriter7400 5 ай бұрын

I found a hack for those egg crate and wood shavings fire starters. Just dip a couple of wooden matches in paraffin, cut them off to about an inch, and then stick the match heads into the sawdust right after you soak it in your candle wax. You can just light the matches with your Bic, or if you crush the heads first with your Leatherman and then hit them with a firerod or a flint and steel.

@marry9894 7 ай бұрын

I’m going to make some of these straw starters with my grandson, it’s never to early to start teaching the little ones 🙏🏽thank you for an amazing great viseo!!

@src3360 Ай бұрын

Im 40 yo and can remember my granpa showing me and teaching me stuff like this when we were hunting and fishing 💖 Things ill never forget

@Terpedup925 Жыл бұрын

That straw technique is nice. Definitely going to try that one. Thanks clay

@StelznerGaming Жыл бұрын

Going to make tons of these straw things. Cheap, easy to make, and effective. Thank you Clay.

@clayhayeshunter Жыл бұрын

Absolutely

@offthearrowshelf Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing these tips with everyone. The straw tip is great and going to add this my camping gear. I’ve used a version of the egg tray method for making fire starters for scout campfires. One addition I have found that helps is using out of date old wound bandage or wound dressing form your first aid kit. Adding a layer of this before filling the egg tray , then add the wood shavings , lint from your dryer or whatever. Then another layer of dressing material before you pour the wax on top and it seeps through the top dressing. I’ve found doing this means it is easier to light as the dressing acts as a wick.

@jaimeleondelaparra3877 Жыл бұрын

I like to take a cotton ball and sandwich it in between Gorilla Tape. I'll make a few of these little packets and store them in a small Ziploc bag that I can easily stash in a pack. When needed, just tear open the taped up cotton ball to expose some fibers and hit that with a ferro rod or lighter. The cotton will catch the spark and/or flame, and the tape will be the flame extender. Great video as always. Keep up the great content, Clay.

@clayhayeshunter Жыл бұрын

Good tip

@hobofab Жыл бұрын

Simple and yet it never occurred to me. Can't wait to play with this idea. Do you treat the cotton material with anything?

@jaimeleondelaparra3877 Жыл бұрын

@Hobo Fabulous not at all, since the tape acts as the water/weatherproof sealant. I just flatten the cotton ball and make sure all sides are completely sealed around it.

@greyscout01 Жыл бұрын

I like it. The straw thing gave me trouble. Your tape solution is one of those 'duh' things. Thanks

@savetrott4193 Жыл бұрын

Brilliant Ideas, Especially the Straw, Vaseline & Cotton Wool. Thanks 👍🏻

@junrenman Жыл бұрын

Love it. Vaseline soaked cotton balls in an old pill container has been my go to for years.

@doloinc Жыл бұрын

I prefer cotton makeup applicators dipped in melted paraffin. They are significantly easier to deal with when starting fires. Last longer too, even when using a small piece

@stuffbywoody5497 10 ай бұрын

Similar to your egg carton cup, I use the cotton lint (make sure there is absolutely no synthetic material in it, cotton only) from the dryer and use the aluminium tea light candle cups as a mold and pack them with the cotton dryer lint and melt old candle wax (can be beeswax, paraffin or the soy candle wax) and poor it on to the cotton lint. A full size lint and wax disc can burn for up to 8 minutes, or cut in half can burn for about 3-4 minutes. I usually pair it up with a piece of char cloth, and sometimes when I make them I put a bit of char cloth in the top so it's already there and ready to go. I have a tin (similar to your altodes) that I keep them in.

@randmcnally6442 6 ай бұрын

I love the cotton in the straw, my go to is the cotton balls, but now that’s my new favorite.

@MakeGodSmileToday 11 ай бұрын

Thank you! I live completely off-grid in the northern woods of Maine and your tips are great!

@frankkuhnle7408 Жыл бұрын

You never stop learning thanks for showing.

@IokeweG Жыл бұрын

Can't wait to try these out this summer. Great tips!

@snowfall5038 8 ай бұрын

Thx for sharing ❤

@FARACI1 Жыл бұрын

Fantastic video really like your straws and cotton. One of the things that I’ve done with the cotton balls so that they don’t get all over the place is to put them into a pill bottle whether it’s prescription or over-the-counter make up your cotton balls Vaseline drop them in there. You could use a stick to get it out so it’s not messy, and they work really well that way and that way they won’t get all over everything as your pack heats up well the weather does. And if you’re worried about it, you can always put the bottle into a Ziploc storage baggie.

@joeyware1678 10 ай бұрын

Enjoy your videos! Your knowledge is second to none and great communication. My go to DIY fire starter is a jumbo cotton ball half dipped in wax. They are easy and cheap to make, way cleaner than petroleum jelly, and great burn time.

@adammetzner Жыл бұрын

We used to make the egg crate version and use dryer lint in them. Works great.

@caseysmith544 Жыл бұрын

We did the same thing putting dryer lint into a bag, though somebody I think my dad pit cat hair in there as well just becuse he can smell a stink with the dryer lint that few if anybody else can smell.

@caseysmith544 Жыл бұрын

we did the same thing saving dryer lint in a bag though my dad he put some gray cat hair from some now no longer living cats in there because he can smell a smell that is off with the regular dryer lint that few if anybody can smell.

@8626John 5 ай бұрын

@@caseysmith544And he'd rather smell burning cat hair? Lol

@journeyman7189 Жыл бұрын

All solid tips. I carry a pill container filled with vasilene cotton balls. Doesn't degrade like the ziplock bags. The straw ones as good. I'll have to make some of those. Thanks Nate

@peyotephoenix5882 10 ай бұрын

Bicycle inner tubes always live in my bob. They have so many uses as well as being great fire starters/extenders and are light to carry 👍🏾

@bbicon29 Жыл бұрын

All great tips, thanks for sharing!

@joycedimaggio3816 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tips!

@tomalophicon Жыл бұрын

Used bicycle innertube is the best firestarter. Plus it has myriad other uses around the home and in the bush.

@timrogers2638 3 ай бұрын

Fatwood/pineknot was a revelation to me as a Boy Scout. We were on a campout where it rained the whole time. Our Scoutmaster took us Patrol Leaders on a foraging trip to gather pine knot from fallen pine trees. We were warm and dry in short order after that.

@farstrider79 Жыл бұрын

Good stuff! I've never made the egg carton ones, but I've always got Vaseline soaked cotton balls in my pack, and like searching for fatwood. I do keep meaning to put some tape around my lighters, always forget though.

@barneyslate6916 Жыл бұрын

Great vid! Thanks!

@edelmoescalona9206 8 ай бұрын

Best fire starter video on KZfaq!!!!! ... the strow container was a huge tip !!! Thanks

@clshady3051 Жыл бұрын

The petroleum jelly cotton balls in the straws thing is amazing, thanks. 👍

@technicalhandHJ Жыл бұрын

In Indian villages we always use pine wood for start fire at tradisional kitchen from centuries

@rockod8880 3 ай бұрын

Great video thank u

@sandycove777 10 ай бұрын

Thanks for the ideas! I'm trying the egg carton dyi today. I used bits of the carton for the filler, a wad of dryer lint on top of that, melted old candle wax. I used tha smallest amount that I could of wax. Left some of the lint dry and fluffy so a spark can light it. We are going to fire up the lump charcoal and do some grilling, Cheers!

@mem7048 Жыл бұрын

I use those cotton rounds that are for removing makeup and put one half in melted beeswax and coat the other half with Vaseline. I store them in used Grizzly cans with a strip of electrical tape around the can to secure the top on. Burns over 5 minutes each, ans works in all weather.

@clayhayeshunter Жыл бұрын

Nice

@hobofab Жыл бұрын

Great idea!

@guadalupeskitchen3734 Жыл бұрын

Another great video! I'm saving this one to my library.

@goplayoutside47 Жыл бұрын

Good video Clay. Thanks!

@deirdredear 4 ай бұрын

excellent thank you

@bienyamientoefy1923 Жыл бұрын

Exellent advice.i will follow this advices.thanks alot❤

@albertomagdua7109 10 ай бұрын

Wow that's awesome

@Matto_Harvo Жыл бұрын

Excellent content. Thanks

@brontosa5351 Жыл бұрын

This video is golden, thank you

@philiph554 Жыл бұрын

I made and used the cotton pads/discs, soaked in wax, but pressed out the excess, they are very easy to light and last quite a while

@MCOult 5 ай бұрын

Empty pellet or shoe polish tins make excellent cases for the petroleum jelly-soaked cotton balls; both are nearly water/air-proof. I have firestarters I made this way more than 15 years ago that work perfectly. You can also use the tins for charcloth: one tin for making it, one for storing/carrying it. BTW, for those of us who save sawdust from our table/miter saws, it's excellent for use with the egg carton fire starters: burns longer than wood shavings. Thanks for an excellent video!

@AR9ify Жыл бұрын

Great summary 👍

@KnifeCrazzzzy Жыл бұрын

That straw trick is genius! Thanks for sharing 🤙🏻

@andrewfitzpatrick9799 6 ай бұрын

My dad taught me to make the egg carton ones. We use dryer lint in stead of paper. Soaks up tons of wax and burns forever. Plus there’s always dryer lint. Pocket lint works as great kindling also if all else fails. I generally keep some in my pocket.

@adamavra7869 Жыл бұрын

About to be doing a lot of camping in north AR. Thanks for the tips!

@mab0852 Жыл бұрын

I trade out the Vaseline for Obenauf's. It's much more multi-purpose because I use it on my boots, knife sheath, gloves, as a rust inhibitor on my knife, and even as lip balm. It even works good on cuts, scrapes, or dry cracked hands. Yeah it's more expensive, but the versatility is terrific. I like to think of it as back woods Ballistol as well. Really good at stopping squeaky gear or lubing a fussy zipper.

@clayhayeshunter Жыл бұрын

Yeah, that stuff is great

@caseysmith544 Жыл бұрын

@@clayhayeshunter I do the same thing but would swap out the Vaseline for Aquaphor or similar generic, this stuff is something I use for chaffing as it dose the same as Vaseline but no sting and can be an emergency chafed lip thing and hands so if I were out in the woods this is what I would use. A cheap lip balm/Chapstick would work as a fire starter too if it is the Petroleum type and most of the cheaper stuff is a byproduct that the Oil industry can't really use for much.

@JustinBilyj Жыл бұрын

Great stuff - the straw idea is smart! When I like to cheat making fires, I just throw a matchlight charcoal briquet in a bag and it'll usually light with a lighter pretty quickly.

@SurvivalDoctors Жыл бұрын

Nice, gonna try using bubble tea straws 😂

@pnyarrow Жыл бұрын

Hi Clay.. Thanks for 5 more for the tool box. Stay safe. ATB. Nigel

@DeutscherJagdblog Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the Video

@lanecountybigfooters5716 Жыл бұрын

I'm in Oregon and anything that starts a fire in our climate is awesome! Great video.

@jasperjenkins6349 5 ай бұрын

I'm in Klamath. Fornax has been a game changer for me here. :)

@K94Life Жыл бұрын

Best Bushcraft content. Appreciate your knowledge man.

@clayhayeshunter Жыл бұрын

You bet

@georgelauchland7512 Жыл бұрын

I use dryer lint for starting the wood stove works so awesome

@1320420 6 ай бұрын

The best storage method I found for the Vaseline cotton balls is old pill bottles.

@omargavarrete1078 Жыл бұрын

Great video bro thanks

@robinconkel-hannan6629 Ай бұрын

I use straws for salt, pepper, garlic needles, and small fishhooks but definitely gonna try them as firestarters.. I like to dip cotton balls or cosmetic pads in wax.. They can be carried in plastic or foil without messing anything up..

@8626John 5 ай бұрын

I like to use dryer lint in the egg carton cups. I do like the straws and cotton balls idea!

@SuperPangloss 6 ай бұрын

All good tips. Here in the northeast woods we have birch trees. Birch bark is always our go-to when trying to get a fire going, especially in damp, cold conditions. Never fails and I always try to keep a chunk or two in my pockets when out and about.

@hobofab Жыл бұрын

Im down South from you in Central Florida and love seeing things conducive to our climate and environment! I first came across those diy straw and cotton waterproof fire starters watching Alan Keys and thought how cool they were. I almost always have my little Esbit pocket stove and a couple cubes because it's my favorite but I also have so many fire redundancies on me or in my vehicle that if I die because I can't make a fire then I deserve to die lol Great video

@KimA67. Жыл бұрын

Toronto Canada ... THANK YOU BRILLIANT IDEAS!!

@CraftwithHeart Жыл бұрын

Brilliant 😊

@davefabian2942 6 ай бұрын

Some old hunting buddies use to always be on the lookout for what they called rich pine old hemlock or pine logs in northern Pennsylvania, they would carry this stuff for miles back to camp, always made a quick hot! Fire 🔥

@cozmoos Жыл бұрын

This was useful.

@j.m.1389 Жыл бұрын

I love your tips, thank you!

@clayhayeshunter Жыл бұрын

Glad you like them!

@jamescooper2618 Жыл бұрын

Glad to see you doing more black powder videos Clay!

@clayhayeshunter Жыл бұрын

And more to come

@bow_hunter0871 Жыл бұрын

awesome content clay, good info!

@stephaniesmith7317 8 ай бұрын

DUDE! The straw seal is killer! Thanx😊

@clayhayeshunter 8 ай бұрын

😉

@elund408 Жыл бұрын

my go to for years is the egg cartons filled with dryer lint. then covered in beeswax and paraffin wax they will burn for 15 minutes. but the straw idea is great and would likely easier take a spark from a ferro rod, Ill have to add some of those.

@user-f5xt2op9t Жыл бұрын

etroleum Jelly and Cotton Ball is my personal fav because it is the cheapest, fastest, long burn time, and packs down to nothin. Plus Petroleum Jelly is good for first aid so it has double duty in your pack. Take the travel sized containers, hollow it out a bit, and store half a dozen cotton balls in there. Make them to order. Truthfully, 1 cotton ball can be broken up into several starters.

@seventhson27 9 ай бұрын

My favorite is a 1 inch piece of candle-stick candle. Also dryer lint makes good stuffing for the egg-crate starters.

@SaneAsylum Жыл бұрын

If you're ever in Southeast, Alaska without fire-starter Devil's Club pith is the best tinder for our extremely wet conditions.

@clayhayeshunter Жыл бұрын

Good tip

@tucker2074 Жыл бұрын

Thankyou

@Nathaniel-Heavyfoot 7 ай бұрын

You're the man! The cotton ball straw is awesome ! 🧠 🥇

@Island_Drifter Жыл бұрын

Great work keep the videos rolling! All the best Island Drifter

@windyloweryking1826 Жыл бұрын

I thought for sure you were going to call it Lighter Knot. Aww, the pure joy of lighting things on fire!

@clayhayeshunter Жыл бұрын

I’ve referred to it that way in other vids.

@ericpeterson5269 6 ай бұрын

Ive never seen that straw technique great way to keep it dry

@BrosephRussell Жыл бұрын

Some great fire starters 🔥

@claudemaggard7162 Жыл бұрын

That was sone good stuff right there

@marlind.odermatt8108 10 ай бұрын

Great video! Possible solution for carrying small amounts of any of thos fire starters is a chew can. I buy my chew in bulk so I have lots of clean cans and they work for anything small like fire plugs or fishing tackle.

@jasonmunday9056 Жыл бұрын

using the straw is brilliant!

@oodawg Жыл бұрын

Good video. I have used the straw trick for neosporin before. The soaked cotton ball straw is a great idea never seen that before. You could also rub it on a cut or burn. Thanks for the idea.

@akbychoice 9 ай бұрын

You can put salt, pepper and other seasonings in straws.

@taurbaby 10 ай бұрын

Really good video...subscribed!!

@colleenvarlow8764 Жыл бұрын

Hi. thanks.

@Drew-Abbott Жыл бұрын

I make fire lighters from wood shavings and wax. I put them in vape tubes. Most of the ones in the UK are steel tubes. Perfect for filling with wax and once you have two the ends can be closes by the little rubber end caps on either end

@pyeitme508 Жыл бұрын

WOW

@hughesoutdoors5017 Ай бұрын

I just tried your straw tip but instead of Vaseline I used charcoal lighter. Got a couple minutes of burn out of that. Thanks for the tips!!

@OdeeOz Жыл бұрын

2:58 Put the Cotton Balls in a Tin Cigar Tube, or other pocket sized metal container, and you are golden for no Vaseline eating the plastic bag, and leaking into your pack. 😉💯👍

@jamessanders4310 Жыл бұрын

My starter is hardwood noodles dipped in melted beeswax and a little lamp oil. Dip, drain, and hand press together in a small pancake. Works great, but I haven't tried it in the rain.

@WinterSoldier7207 Жыл бұрын

One easy fire starter I was taught about using is dryer lint, which is great if you can do the laundry at your house, especially if you like reducing waste. Simple to use and store in compact containers, lights up with one spark, and isn't messy.

@caseysmith544 Жыл бұрын

Ponderosa Pine is the one out here on the plains though harder to find, I have taken the inner part of a Eastern Red Cedar/Juniper and chipped it when it was wet out with good success for a fire starter.

@chuengjen55660 11 ай бұрын

Im live in asia and i often use rubber to make a fire with some little wood, easy to cook

@richroc7 Ай бұрын

I have one thing to add Clay and no disrespect. I buy the gulf wax 1lb block and I mix it with 1/3 cup of liquid paraffin lamp oil to get up to 28 minutes burn time out of one fire starter. I also use the paper condiment cups but that doesn’t matter. 👍🏼

@samwillard4739 5 ай бұрын

Dryer lint soaked in candle wax works great

@I_suck_at_sim_racing 5 ай бұрын

I use the cotton disks soaked in lighter fluid and candle wax. But a good practice is to keep a bit of everything in your fire kit. So in mine i have the cotton disks, fat wood, char cloth, fat wood a bic with duct tape and my ferro rod.

@ringtonetemu1906 Жыл бұрын

Thank you. I came looking for a thing that came in my hike pack. And found lots more. Not a camper but great information because I will be hiking in Belize in August

@clayhayeshunter Жыл бұрын

Have fun

@shalwaleslie4777 11 ай бұрын

I'm a beekeeper from Belize! Came on to find better ways of lighting my smoker. Happy hiking.