If you will be spending time outdoors – a survival situation, for instance, knowing how to make fire is vital. The reason is that you need fire for warmth, food, and even as a light source in the dark. Therefore, as a backpacker or camper, this article on how to start a fire: an excellent guide for survival enthusiasts will be useful for you.
As you learn the different ways how to make this possible, you should also look out for the materials you will need. With everything available, you are all set to start a fire for your survival outdoors.
How to Start a Fire With Materials?
The entire purpose of this article is to learn how to start a fire with lighter or matches. Here, you make do with the materials accessible to you to provide what you want.
Tinder
First on the list of ways to start a fire without matches is using a Tinder Kit. This kit contains a different series of materials – dry ones that are quite easy to use. Also, making fire out of these materials isn’t a significant problem at all.
In case you don’t find a tinder kit around you, making one for yourself shouldn’t be an issue. For instance, you could start using cotton balls and then soaking them in Vaseline. It is indeed the basis on which other methods are formed.
Other forms of Tinder include dry bark or leaves, wood shavings, wax, cardboard strips, etc..
Glass Lens
At a point growing up, you must have had a little experiment to test the theory of Magnifying lenses over a surface for a long time. However, using a Classic Magnifying Glass could have taken more time than usual, which is why Rotating Magnifying Glass is advised.
It is another way of starting a fire without matches. What you depend on in this case is the Sun. The process seems a lot easy, as long as you have all the materials available.
As you lay the Tinder out, use the Glass Lens to focus the Sun’s beam on it until you start seeing smoke. Overall, you only have to use this method in the presence of sunlight.
Flint and Steel
If you have been introduced to different difficult starting fire methods, Flint and Steel are the easiest you are yet to encounter. It is indeed one of the most useful survival methods, as it does not require matches.
Steps
In 3 steps, you will be making a fire that you need for all kinds of purposes
- Creating a Spark
- Harnessing the Spark
- Turning the Spark into Fire.
By using a charcloth against a Flint, you could create a spark with a metal striker. As you strike the flint appropriately, you can further harness the spark and make contact with a Tinder nest. With the consistent blowing of air into the nest, the spark would turn into a fire for use.
Steel Wool and Batteries
Another more advanced way to make fire is the use of Steel Wool and Batteries. What you need to do is
- Get steel wool up to 6-inch long and ½-inch wide.
- As you lay it out, rub 9V batteries against them, holding each in both hands.
- Over time, the wool starts glowing until it burns out when you rub the sides of the battery against it.
- Transfer the flame into a Tinder nest and have your fire ready for use.
Mirror or Water Balloon
What if you are not with glass lenses – only balloons and mirrors? You could still make fire out of them. They are great alternatives that help in focusing sun rays on Tinder.
All you got to do is fill a balloon with water and keep spherical. On the other hand, you could use the same glass lens process with a mirror to make a fire. Beer bottles can also serve in place of regular mirrors.
Rocks
One of the oldest techniques of starting a fire is friction. It means two surfaces are coming together to form a reaction a spark in this case. With a small piece of broken Quartz rocks and a Carbon Steel Knife, it is possible to create fire.
What you need is
- the sharp edge of the rock against the knife’s edges – as you create friction, a spark is formed.
- Next, harness the spark to a small tinder piece until it starts to burn.
Sometimes, it comes easy; other times, it takes a while.
Ice
Another incredible way of starting a fire is with the use of ice. It is an advisable method during winter since that is the only time to find ice in the environment. The process uses the concept of a glass lens; thus, sunlight is also involved.
- Get clear ice using a container.
- With a knife, cut the ice into the shape of a lens.
- Polish the lens and make sure it is placed under sunlight.
- Finally, focus the beam of sunlight via the ice lens on a Tinder nest and wait until you start to see smoke.
Wood Logs
Peradventure you came with matches or lighter, using wood logs is an ideal way to start a fire. It is an effective way of keeping a burning fire for a longer time. Fuelwood is a perfect choice, as long as the sizes vary.
Find out how you can use fire to your advantage HERE.
What are the Types of Outdoor Fire?
As you explore the various methods of starting a fire without matches, you should know that there are two outdoor fire types.
1. Log Cabin Fire
The log cabin fire is an excellent choice if you want to keep burning fire for a longer time in the wilderness. It is perfect for cold nights.
2. Teepee Fire
This type of outdoor fire is suitable for making meals and boiling water due to its shape.
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Conclusion
This article on how to start a fire: an excellent guide for survival enthusiasts gives you more insights on survival in the wilderness. As it provides you with different means of making a fire, it also tells you the different scenarios where you need one.
Therefore, get the materials you need and try out new ways to start a fire.
Learn more about survival tips, tricks, and more HERE.
