Fire Starting Kit: Tinder Alternatives

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[@jamesparker6383]

A small bottle of gelled hand sanitizer will work well also.

[@timothyorendorff7642]

Agree, the gel makes it not just run off the tinder.

[@prophotos365]

I prefer the cotton rounds soaked in wax. Crack them in half and have a clean candle. But all of your ideas will work.

[@ericwalker3459]

Thank you sir, first time I’ve heard of chapstick. And had never even thought of the alcohol wipes. Thanks,two more things in my toolbox

[@mikelgeren149]

I use the round make-up pads with Vaseline . Keep Vaseline in straw tubes , mix when needed . Pad makes a good shotgun patch , and Vaseline has others uses as well . I like your technique for alcohol pads . 👍

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

Thank you! I too prefer the petroleum jelly, but I was surprised how many viewers will not mess with it. Wanted to give them other options.

[@Mike-ox3bv]

I do the same with the rounds I also dip half of one in wax and then you have about a two minute burn.

[@Swish82]

Hey Dan. I like the cotton disks. I actually did a project where I melted down petroleum jelly and gulf wax. I dipped the cotton disks in the jelly and then the wax. Let them harden. The burn time for the Tinder was just over 9 minutes. I did a video on it. Thanks for your videos. Always good to watch

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

Checked out your video. Great idea and burn time!

[@Swish82]

@@ochocobushcraft1742 thank you.

[@ManInTheWoods76]

My go-to is the make up rounds pre saturated in any available wax. Add a touch of vegetable oil during the melt. Just as good as Vaseline but no mess in your kit. 💯 Waterproof and no need to put them in a plastic bag

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

Very nice!

[@timothyorendorff7642]

I like to carry ZIP firestarters (compressed sawdust and wax cubes) not heavy and start quickly with ferro rod. I usually cut them in half for easy carry. Others mentioned gel hand sanitizer and I agree. Believe in multiple options within reason and also carry shaved fat wood.

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

More good ideas! Thank you!

[@Lou.B]

Great ideas! Thanks!

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

Thank you for watching!

[@overweighthikerwannabe901]

I've heard it said that not all alcohol prep pads are created equal when it comes to firestarting and so if that is your choice make sure your particular make and model of alcohol prep pad is a good firestarter before you are counting on it to start a fire to insure your continued good health.

[@grant6245]

Loving your videos. Keep these coming please!

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

Thank you! I'll do my best.

[@mannihh5274]

Chap sticks are a good alternative, but wax is cleaner and gives even more burn time - just melt some candle left-overs and dip the pads, not soaking them. Let them cool in the fridge and completely submerge them in a second run. If you break them up, you still get some fluff on the inside, but the outside wax cover makes them waterproof and gives a really long burn time. Any oil or grease will work fine too, wether it's gun-oil, cooking-oil, lamp-oil, bike-grease etc. Best small storage for liquids are vials, they come in many sizes 2/5/10/20 ml.

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

More good ideas, thanks!

[@Robertssurvivalsystems]

Good Tips I just did one on hand sanitizer , I think if you add some of that with the rounds would make a good fire extender.

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

Im going to have to do some experimenting with the hand sanitizer. I'm curious as to what it will work well with.

[@bushcraftbasics2036]

Thanks

[@jasonaffeldt7838]

Thanks for sharing Dan 👍. Hope you have a great day my friend. 🇺🇲🔪🌲🔥

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

Thank you! You as well!

[@RomeoDelta-gw7dd]

Cotton ball and Vaseline can’t be beat as far as man made tinder goes. Yea they’re gross to handle but their benefits outweigh the negatives in my opinion.

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

Agreed!

[@evenhand7743]

👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@woollymammothinspace]

I use dryer lint for firestarter. It ignites instantly. Only thing is, it burns fast. I wonder if lint with wax or chapstick soaked into it would work?

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

Yes, works very well

[@larrykoroush6995]

Do you know if these would start using a magnifying glass. Also, petroleum jelly would probably work nice in a small syringe.

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

I recently tried a cotton ball with a magnifying glass, and it didn't catch. I'll have to try it again in the summer sun.

[@johnjentzer1863]

Cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly, stored in a short length of a 4 mm plastic straw with the ends melted shut. Lasts for months, weigh nothing and easy to carry.

[@ManInTheWoods76]

That would probably last for years actually👍

[@spectermad9180]

TINDER TABS dont last long at all

[@ochocobushcraft1742]

Without adding something, very true. PET balls are my favorite to carry.