Camp Fire Starters

[Snivek]

I rember when I was younger I collected twigs and witches hair (that dark green fuzzy stuff on pine trees) and used one match that was my goal. Then the next morning my goal was always to get the fire going with out and matches just the hot coals from the fire before. Now that I am older I am going to try the candle wax and egg carton.

[tmmar]

I use fire starters that I bought a case of in BJ's. That, along with some news paper and hopefully the wood being used wasn't left out in the rain!!!

[riwdfw]

I always carry the egg cartons of wax, also have used the lint with wax. Another thing that works great that the grandkids like is if I have any left over cheese doodles that are stale. They also work great

[MotocrossCamper]

Buy a couple bundles of wood door shims from Home Depot! Break them in half and you will have a blazing fire in no time. You don't need newspaper or anything else. They are so dry that you can throw a handful in below your other wood, light one up and you won't have to touch the fire again.

[ayotte]

I have been using a small amount of citronella lamp oil on small kindling. Works great, doesn't flare up, smells good, helps chase the bugs away.

[Herk7769]

I keep a bundle of cedar shakes for kindling.
Normally, though, I use the "Camp Fire in a Can" and just turn on the valve and hit it with a match

Campfire In A Can | Portable fire pits | Propane fire pits | Portable camp grill - The Gas Can™ by Campfire In A Can®

[mm12348]

I found the perfect fire starter after my work shop burned it gave me the perfect idea. (had a Porter Cable circular saw ignite while plugged in, made from magnesuim). The firemen had a hell of a time to put it out then click idea, called my buddy up to get me magnesium chips from work, now I'll start a fire now in the rain.

[trudinator]

We use a propane torch to light most of our fires. Kerosene, gas, etc. (we commonly refer to it as girl scout water) is for sissies!! If you can't get a fire started from twigs and a torch (or a match, etc.) then you have to go back to boy scouts or girl scouts. LOL. I take great pride in being able to start a fire with a bit of paper, some matches and kindling. We often cook on our open fire, so that is one of the main reasons (and safety, of course!) we don't like to use any type of accelerant on our fires. Let's face it, most of us are camping in the woods, near trees, underbrush, etc. Imagine the horror if your fire got out of control. If we're dealing with wet wood, rain, etc., then we'll use a homemade fire starter. We make ours from old candles, paper egg cartons and sawdust. My husband is a woodworker, so we have a never-ending supply of the stuff. Egg cartons come "free" with the eggs, and we keep a supply of "mostly used up" candles for just this reason. I don't consider it a "real" camping trip without a fire. Glad we don't live in an area that has frequent restrictions.

[Captain Ron]

In a pinch a paper towel soaked with cooking oil works very well.

[mike06081969]

The best fire starter I've found is presoaked charcoal. You can pick it up at DG or Wal Mart in the store brands dirt cheap and it works really well.

[rockwood06]

I started this thread back in 2008, and so far no one can do it cheaper then I.

It seems like most people have to buy something to make Fire starters. Just this week end i gave a bag full a way to a camping friend that gave me some old candles and some cardboard egg cartons. Over the winter i have collected more candles, egg cartons and saw dust and i will take them to the campground and make some more over an open fire on the fire ring.

For the amount of time since i have been making them, i have found on negative drawback, they are water proof, safe to store anywhere, smell good and never go bad and safer then using additives like fuels to material.

I ask people if they have any old candles and if they buy eggs in cardboard cartones, if so then i will take them off of there hands for free.

[Triguy]

We use to make them your way when I was kid - 40 some years ago. Except instead of candles my dad used to sneak from my mom's supply of paraffin wax that she kept for canning.

[Johnny9r]

I did this just a couple of weeks ago and the only thing I had to buy was the wood chips. I ended up buying a big bag of wood chips for guinea pig bedding for 5.00. Best part was my daughter and I had a blast making these and she really felt like she helped make camping better, she's 3 so it was a big deal

[campnqueen]

Gas? Diesel? C-4? Man am I glad I don;t camp near any of your guys !
Just rub two girls scouts together! works great!

[old guys]

Oh yea but be careful cause they really get hot if you rub them the wrong way.
Old Guys

[rockwood06]

Originally Posted by Johnny9r

I did this just a couple of weeks ago and the only thing I had to buy was the wood chips. I ended up buying a big bag of wood chips for guinea pig bedding for 5.00. Best part was my daughter and I had a blast making these and she really felt like she helped make camping better, she's 3 so it was a big deal

I have a Wal-Mart bag full of saw dust that i have had for two years now, so if you cut wood or know of anyone that is cutting wood ask them for the dust and put it into a bag for the next time.

So your daughter is 3 and already making camp fire starters......that's great, what will she be doing at the age of 4?

[Rugged Brown]

I rub 2 sticks together. Works everytime.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by Rugged Brown

I rub 2 sticks together. Works everytime.

As long as one of them is a "Strike Anywhere" Match.

[Rugged Brown]

Originally Posted by herk7769

As long as one of them is a "Strike Anywhere" Match.

nobody can fool you herk.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by Rugged Brown

nobody can fool you herk.

Actually anyone can be fooled.
It is the second time that counts.