How to start a fire in the rain

[RockAndSage]

You can make a good fire starter by mixing smokeless powder with clear nail polish in a container with a popsicle stick that doubles as the wick. We made them in film cannisters back when those were around everywhere. Slit the cannister lid and slide it over the stick and onto the cannister with your mix in there. They burned for a very long time.

This is the first genuinely new fire-starter setup I've heard of in a long time, and it sounds pretty cool - about how long did they burn, and how hot was the flame? Was it more candle-like, or road-flare like? Do you remember what the mixture proportions were?

 

[BBob]

BS They have never failed me, even in the coldest of cold. Had a wise ass old fart challenge me when he threw it in a bucket of water. I had it going in 5 seconds.

 

[MountainTracker]

BS They have never failed me, even in the coldest of cold. Had a wise ass old fart challenge me when he threw it in a bucket of water. I had it going in 5 seconds.

I pop off the safety clip thing, makes getting them going a little easier.

I have not personally made these but they look effective. Time consuming auto make also.

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[mt terry d]

BS They have never failed me, even in the coldest of cold. Had a wise ass old fart challenge me when he threw it in a bucket of water. I had it going in 5 seconds.

Minus 30. Dry.
Propane heaters don't work either.
But, hey, go ahead, bet your life on it.

 

[MarlinMark]

This is the first genuinely new fire-starter setup I've heard of in a long time, and it sounds pretty cool - about how long did they burn, and how hot was the flame? Was it more candle-like, or road-flare like? Do you remember what the mixture proportions were?

It burned hot for at least 20 mins. but the fire consumed it so it is hard to tell. They burn like a big candle. The film canister is plastic so there is that negativity. But, one could make them in whatever container they like. It hardens up pretty good and you want to stir it up well. I poured the nail polish in the canister and then added rifle powder until it was "pretty darn thick" (scientific term) and then left the popsicle stick in it. Cut a slit in the lid and put the lid on the canister.

 

[MarlinMark]

I didn't ever do a stand alone burn test. Just put it in the base of where my fire was going to be and lit the stick/wick. Then built up a "teepee" of wood and away it went. Works well.

 

[Miflatlander91]

Trioxane tabs have worked for me. Yesterday a storm rolled in while we were waiting for a bull to fire off below us I was wet and cold and noticed a buddy in pretty bad shape piled up some dead standing wood on top of the tab and we were in business! I think the biggest thing is have a system that you can rely on and keep it with you.


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[RockAndSage]

It burned hot for at least 20 mins. but the fire consumed it so it is hard to tell. They burn like a big candle. The film canister is plastic so there is that negativity. But, one could make them in whatever container they like. It hardens up pretty good and you want to stir it up well. I poured the nail polish in the canister and then added rifle powder until it was "pretty darn thick" (scientific term) and then left the popsicle stick in it. Cut a slit in the lid and put the lid on the canister.

Great stuff, thank you. Now I'm wondering if it would work with part of a half-pound of powder I've had forever that finally went bad...

 

[MarlinMark]

If you make a little pile of that powder on the ground and strike a match or ferro rod and it burns rapidly then it will work fine. Smokeless powder doesn't explode. It burns very rapidly. So, it's safe to test as such in small portions.

 

[RockAndSage]

If you make a little pile of that powder on the ground and strike a match or ferro rod and it burns rapidly then it will work fine. Smokeless powder doesn't explode. It burns very rapidly. So, it's safe to test as such in small portions.

Lol, tell me you had an unsupervised Gen X childhood, without saying it...

 

[MarlinMark]

Indeed.

 

[Dan Carey]

Now that we know how to start a fire, when should we start one. Hopefully not when we are lost and soaking wet and cold.