If you want to make your own fire starters, you can use 100% cotton balls coated with petroleum jelly. Yah it's old news but I just tried them and they bunt for several minutes each. They light up with just one spark from a firesteel. I made a bunch and am storing them I this round candy tin. Jus thought I'd bring up an old method of making your own firestarters.

very cool info, never hear that one.  Have you ever stored them?  if so, how well do they store?

My guess, being that they are petroleum based, is that they'd store very well.

Nofwitme, have any experience with other types of firestarters? Kindling, steel wool, etc..?

i have some "fatwood" which is very resinous pine. It lights really easily and burns really hot!!! the cotton balls store for a long time. I have them in a round candy tin. Yah steel wool is good too. 0000 steel wool of course with a battery but it also burns with just a regular match or lighter too.

If you want to fool around try making a small woodgas stove.

Out of experience (remember I'm from Alaska)

The cotton balls work well. Store em in an altoids tin.

The cardboard tubes from tp filled with layers of sawdust and wax burn great too.

Worst case 00/000 steel wool and a 9v battery. (other batteries work too, this is just the easiest)

Yeah I hear some guys use empty egg cartons and fill each compartment with wax and sawdust or wax and shredded paper. Then cut them into pieces

In my boy scout days we made some fire starters. One in particular that I really liked was newspaper, cut into strips and rolled into thick pieces. Tie it w/ string, and dip them / soak them in melted parafin wax. The parafin makes them somewhat water resistant, and they stay lit for a very, very long time. Never dawned on me to have them on hand again until this last tsunami. Got to get the ball rolling w/ them though.

In my boy scout days we made some fire starters. One in particular that I really liked was newspaper, cut into strips and rolled into thick pieces. Tie it w/ string, and dip them / soak them in melted parafin wax. The parafin makes them somewhat water resistant, and they stay lit for a very, very long time. Never dawned on me to have them on hand again until this last tsunami. Got to get the ball rolling w/ them though.

another good idea!  So you just light the top of the roll? or do you put a string inside?


Anyone know where I can get bulk parafin wax for cheap?

Anyone know where I can get bulk parafin wax for cheap?

Might try looking at the craft store, like Ben Franklin. Ill take a look next time my wife needs me to take her.

speaking of boy scouts, remember the candle? the one where you get the tuna can , roll up a strip of cardboard and fill it with wax?

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Anyone know where I can get bulk parafin wax for cheap?

Might try looking at the craft store, like Ben Franklin. Ill take a look next time my wife needs me to take her.

Ben Franklin is a bit overpriced...unless you're a member of the craft club thing that gets a discount, just go to Walmart. You can find it in the small appliance/kitchenwares area. It's used for canning so they usually have 1lb boxes by the mason jars. 

Personally I prefer keeping it simple. A 9 volt and some extra fine steel wool in a ziplock is good enough.

You guys are committed to starting fire.

I applaud you 

( I joke, I joke, I kid, I kid  )

got to work on my fire starters today. used left over wax from candles.  instead of cotton balls, i used the cotton swabs women use for cleaning make up off their face. it's easier to handle when trying to get the jelly on them, as the cotton balls would stretch and fall apart. my husband suggested making a wick, so i cut one into pieces and tried that. we'll see how the works out.

i did half the tp roll because it fits into a smaller container that i had.

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I hear the anti-gunners ears are plentiful with wax.

I bought a while bunch of wax blocks from longs  not long ago, on clearance $0.97. BOught about 10lbs

Here is something I've been playing with: Kitchen waste fat. May or may not be useful in a shtf situation.

When I cook meat with lots of fat, chicken, pork, hamburger etc. I save the fat and keep it in a container in the frig.
When I go camping or have a bbq at home, I put a few spoonfuls in newspapers or cardboard egg carton cups and light it up.
For campfires it will usually burn vigorously and long enough to light up even stubborn kindling.
This works great for starting bbq's too because you totally avoid using lighter fluid so no chance of getting any residual smell or taste.
It is natural fuel and free. You also avoid sending it down your drain to clog pipes.
I am still experimenting with different techniques, but you get the idea.

Good idea!

Oldfart, you just made this thread. Great idea!

Here is something I've been playing with: Kitchen waste fat. May or may not be useful in a shtf situation.

When I cook meat with lots of fat, chicken, pork, hamburger etc. I save the fat and keep it in a container in the frig.
When I go camping or have a bbq at home, I put a few spoonfuls in newspapers or cardboard egg carton cups and light it up.
For campfires it will usually burn vigorously and long enough to light up even stubborn kindling.
This works great for starting bbq's too because you totally avoid using lighter fluid so no chance of getting any residual smell or taste.
It is natural fuel and free. You also avoid sending it down your drain to clog pipes.
I am still experimenting with different techniques, but you get the idea.

how long do you keep the fat in the frig? does it smell? get rotten? the other half is concerned with bacteria, etc. thanks

Maybe keep in freezer?