I use a bushbuddy as my primary stove right now. I have no problem finding dry wood and starting a fire with a bic lighter. I've been lucky because I have always had dry wood.
On the off chance that I would not be able to find dry wood, what do you use as a firestarter?
I've read about using cottonballs, but do you soak them in alcohol?
What are your suggestions?

regarding cottonballs, i've seen people suggesting to use them soaked with petroleum jelly. never tried it myself, but supposedly it works really well.

Small wide-mouth nalgene containers stuffed full of dryer lint and then filled with alcohol.

Hi Dave,

Denatured alcohol?

Thanks,

Doug

Cottonballs with a dab of petrolium jelly catch a spark really well and burn long enough to get your fire going. You can store it in a little pill bottle or seal it in a length of a plastic soda straw by melting the ends shut.

You need to be careful with dryer lint. The lint that works is from cotton clothes, such as jeans or towels. lint from synthetics does not burn well. Also, if you have a dog or cat, your fire will have that wonderful smell of burning hair!

Yes, a little dab'll do ya. I believe the cotton balls or similar need a little bit, and then smeared throughout the ball. If it's very heavy the balls won't light as easily. I personally bring cardboard egg cartons that were filled with wood shavings, oily typed leaves etc and then had melted wax poured over them and left to cool. They burn for a long time. I've started cutting mine in half they burn so well, even sinking in the snow. Regards. CV

Edited by chuckwagon on 08/31/2009 02:47:37 MDT.

I too use cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly. This works very well. The best way to make those, get an empty can and put the petroleum jelly in it. Then fill a pot with water about half way and boil the water. Then place the can in middle of the pot of boiling water. Should take a couple of seconds and the Petroleum jelly will be completely melted. You can then drop the cotton balls in and they will be completely saturated with the jelly. This is a lot less messy than trying to rub it in by hand and also makes the cotton balls burn even longer.

-Sid

Cottonballs with 91% rubbing alcohol works good...can be used as an antiseptic wipe also. PJ and cottonballs are too messy/sticky, for me anyways, to make and use.

bg

Yes, denatured alcohol, though I reckon Everclear would get the job done.

I use a small piece of bicycle tube. Light it with a Bic and it stays lit for awhile, depending on how big of a piece you use. Don't have to worry If it gets wet, and no mess. The only down side is the smell of burning rubber, but if you are at this point, I'd assume that the least of your worries.

Mark

The ultimate in dual use firestarters has to be the dorito chip. They light with a match and burn with a steady flame for about a minute. Like a cotton ball they are a fiber matrix impregnated with a flamable oil. They taste great too!

(edit) the only risk is there might not be any left when you need them. :)

Edited by theronr on 08/31/2009 10:03:08 MDT.

You can also use pieces of twine (jute). 100% Petroleum jelly is known as vaseline. Use 100% cotton cotton balls. The cotton will burn alone, but the vaseline makes them burn longer. Put the vaseline in the middle and pull out the fibers of the cotton ball away from the center so they can more easily ignite from a spark.

Edited by rambler on 08/31/2009 11:30:01 MDT.

"Yes, denatured alcohol, though I reckon Everclear would get the job done."

You bet. And it also has the advantage of being (ahem) a multi-use item. Not only will it disinfect a wound but as an alcohol-stove fuel, sleep inducer and pain killer, it has no immediate parallel. It's worth the extra few bucks, IMO.

Stargazer