5 best FIRE STARTERS you can make at Home!

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  • Опубліковано 6 чер 2024
  • Knowing how to start a fire in foul weather could save your life. This week I’ll show you 5 of the best fire starters you can make at home. Having a few fire starters in your pack will make it much easier to build a fire no matter the weather conditions. These are cheap and easy to make with readily available materials that you probably already have at your home. Cotton balls, Vaseline, a plastic straw, an egg crate and some shredded paper for instance.
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 269

  • @rg3412
    @rg3412 4 місяці тому +13

    This straw and cotton ball idea is pure genius

  • @kareander67
    @kareander67 Рік тому +29

    As a Swede, living in scandinavia, its really nice to compare your outdoor solutions with mine in my own environment.
    Very simple, down to earth advice from you.
    Well done, keep that fire burning 👏👌

  • @sacwriter7400
    @sacwriter7400 3 місяці тому +2

    I found a hack for those egg crate and wood shavings fire starters. Just dip a couple of wooden matches in paraffin, cut them off to about an inch, and then stick the match heads into the sawdust right after you soak it in your candle wax. You can just light the matches with your Bic, or if you crush the heads first with your Leatherman and then hit them with a firerod or a flint and steel.

  • @RiverbendlongbowsOutdoors
    @RiverbendlongbowsOutdoors Рік тому +15

    Very good 👍🏻
    Chapstick and a piece of my cotton t-shirt saved me back in 89. Got caught in a rain and Sleet storm fishing deep in the Gila. Closest I've been to hypothermia.
    Great tips 👌

  • @marry9894
    @marry9894 6 місяців тому +6

    I’m going to make some of these straw starters with my grandson, it’s never to early to start teaching the little ones 🙏🏽thank you for an amazing great viseo!!

  • @tracycolorado
    @tracycolorado Рік тому +50

    Words to the wise , take a thick rubber band , wrap it around the lighter in between the gas lever and lighter body , so when the lighter is in your pocket or pack , it doesn't accidentally get the gas lever pressed to lose all of your gas fuel , you can also use rubber band as fuel for starting a fire too

    • @justjonoutdoors
      @justjonoutdoors 3 місяці тому

      I use a short piece of paracord with a jam-knot on it for the same purpose.

  • @jaimeleondelaparra3877
    @jaimeleondelaparra3877 Рік тому +22

    I like to take a cotton ball and sandwich it in between Gorilla Tape. I'll make a few of these little packets and store them in a small Ziploc bag that I can easily stash in a pack. When needed, just tear open the taped up cotton ball to expose some fibers and hit that with a ferro rod or lighter. The cotton will catch the spark and/or flame, and the tape will be the flame extender. Great video as always. Keep up the great content, Clay.

    • @clayhayeshunter
      @clayhayeshunter  Рік тому +3

      Good tip

    • @hobofab
      @hobofab Рік тому +2

      Simple and yet it never occurred to me. Can't wait to play with this idea. Do you treat the cotton material with anything?

    • @jaimeleondelaparra3877
      @jaimeleondelaparra3877 Рік тому +2

      @Hobo Fabulous not at all, since the tape acts as the water/weatherproof sealant. I just flatten the cotton ball and make sure all sides are completely sealed around it.

    • @greyscout01
      @greyscout01 11 місяців тому +1

      I like it. The straw thing gave me trouble. Your tape solution is one of those 'duh' things. Thanks

  • @junrenman
    @junrenman Рік тому +10

    Love it. Vaseline soaked cotton balls in an old pill container has been my go to for years.

    • @doloinc
      @doloinc Рік тому +1

      I prefer cotton makeup applicators dipped in melted paraffin. They are significantly easier to deal with when starting fires. Last longer too, even when using a small piece

  • @offthearrowshelf
    @offthearrowshelf Рік тому +12

    Thanks for sharing these tips with everyone. The straw tip is great and going to add this my camping gear.
    I’ve used a version of the egg tray method for making fire starters for scout campfires. One addition I have found that helps is using out of date old wound bandage or wound dressing form your first aid kit. Adding a layer of this before filling the egg tray , then add the wood shavings , lint from your dryer or whatever. Then another layer of dressing material before you pour the wax on top and it seeps through the top dressing. I’ve found doing this means it is easier to light as the dressing acts as a wick.

  • @stuffbywoody5497
    @stuffbywoody5497 8 місяців тому +3

    Similar to your egg carton cup, I use the cotton lint (make sure there is absolutely no synthetic material in it, cotton only) from the dryer and use the aluminium tea light candle cups as a mold and pack them with the cotton dryer lint and melt old candle wax (can be beeswax, paraffin or the soy candle wax) and poor it on to the cotton lint. A full size lint and wax disc can burn for up to 8 minutes, or cut in half can burn for about 3-4 minutes. I usually pair it up with a piece of char cloth, and sometimes when I make them I put a bit of char cloth in the top so it's already there and ready to go. I have a tin (similar to your altodes) that I keep them in.

  • @Terpedup925
    @Terpedup925 Рік тому +6

    That straw technique is nice. Definitely going to try that one. Thanks clay

  • @ballygra
    @ballygra 9 місяців тому

    Thank you! I live completely off-grid in the northern woods of Maine and your tips are great!

  • @IokeweG
    @IokeweG Рік тому +1

    Can't wait to try these out this summer. Great tips!

  • @frankkuhnle7408
    @frankkuhnle7408 Рік тому +2

    You never stop learning thanks for showing.

  • @randmcnally6442
    @randmcnally6442 4 місяці тому +1

    I love the cotton in the straw, my go to is the cotton balls, but now that’s my new favorite.

  • @farstrider79
    @farstrider79 Рік тому +3

    Good stuff! I've never made the egg carton ones, but I've always got Vaseline soaked cotton balls in my pack, and like searching for fatwood. I do keep meaning to put some tape around my lighters, always forget though.

  • @StelznerGaming
    @StelznerGaming Рік тому +12

    Going to make tons of these straw things. Cheap, easy to make, and effective. Thank you Clay.

  • @journeyman7189
    @journeyman7189 Рік тому

    All solid tips. I carry a pill container filled with vasilene cotton balls. Doesn't degrade like the ziplock bags. The straw ones as good. I'll have to make some of those.
    Thanks
    Nate

  • @savetrott4193
    @savetrott4193 Рік тому +1

    Brilliant Ideas, Especially the Straw, Vaseline & Cotton Wool. Thanks 👍🏻

  • @peyotephoenix5882
    @peyotephoenix5882 8 місяців тому +2

    Bicycle inner tubes always live in my bob. They have so many uses as well as being great fire starters/extenders and are light to carry 👍🏾

  • @edelmoescalona9206
    @edelmoescalona9206 6 місяців тому +1

    Best fire starter video on UA-cam!!!!! ... the strow container was a huge tip !!! Thanks

  • @joycedimaggio3816
    @joycedimaggio3816 Рік тому

    Thanks for the tips!

  • @joeyware1678
    @joeyware1678 8 місяців тому +2

    Enjoy your videos! Your knowledge is second to none and great communication. My go to DIY fire starter is a jumbo cotton ball half dipped in wax. They are easy and cheap to make, way cleaner than petroleum jelly, and great burn time.

  • @clshady3051
    @clshady3051 Рік тому

    The petroleum jelly cotton balls in the straws thing is amazing, thanks. 👍

  • @bbicon29
    @bbicon29 Рік тому

    All great tips, thanks for sharing!

  • @FARACI1
    @FARACI1 Рік тому +3

    Fantastic video really like your straws and cotton. One of the things that I’ve done with the cotton balls so that they don’t get all over the place is to put them into a pill bottle whether it’s prescription or over-the-counter make up your cotton balls Vaseline drop them in there. You could use a stick to get it out so it’s not messy, and they work really well that way and that way they won’t get all over everything as your pack heats up well the weather does. And if you’re worried about it, you can always put the bottle into a Ziploc storage baggie.

  • @sandycove777
    @sandycove777 8 місяців тому +1

    Thanks for the ideas! I'm trying the egg carton dyi today. I used bits of the carton for the filler, a wad of dryer lint on top of that, melted old candle wax. I used tha smallest amount that I could of wax. Left some of the lint dry and fluffy so a spark can light it. We are going to fire up the lump charcoal and do some grilling, Cheers!

  • @philiph554
    @philiph554 Рік тому +3

    I made and used the cotton pads/discs, soaked in wax, but pressed out the excess, they are very easy to light and last quite a while

  • @barneyslate6916
    @barneyslate6916 Рік тому

    Great vid! Thanks!

  • @snowfall5038
    @snowfall5038 7 місяців тому

    Thx for sharing ❤

  • @KnifeCrazzzzy
    @KnifeCrazzzzy Рік тому

    That straw trick is genius! Thanks for sharing 🤙🏻

  • @guadalupeskitchen3734
    @guadalupeskitchen3734 Рік тому

    Another great video! I'm saving this one to my library.

  • @adamavra7869
    @adamavra7869 Рік тому

    About to be doing a lot of camping in north AR. Thanks for the tips!

  • @JustinBilyj
    @JustinBilyj 11 місяців тому +1

    Great stuff - the straw idea is smart! When I like to cheat making fires, I just throw a matchlight charcoal briquet in a bag and it'll usually light with a lighter pretty quickly.

  • @SuperPangloss
    @SuperPangloss 4 місяці тому

    All good tips. Here in the northeast woods we have birch trees. Birch bark is always our go-to when trying to get a fire going, especially in damp, cold conditions. Never fails and I always try to keep a chunk or two in my pockets when out and about.

  • @goplayoutside47
    @goplayoutside47 Рік тому

    Good video Clay. Thanks!

  • @bienyamientoefy1923
    @bienyamientoefy1923 Рік тому

    Exellent advice.i will follow this advices.thanks alot❤

  • @rockod8880
    @rockod8880 Місяць тому

    Great video thank u

  • @georgelauchland7512
    @georgelauchland7512 Рік тому

    I use dryer lint for starting the wood stove works so awesome

  • @tomalophicon
    @tomalophicon Рік тому +3

    Used bicycle innertube is the best firestarter. Plus it has myriad other uses around the home and in the bush.

  • @DeutscherJagdblog
    @DeutscherJagdblog Рік тому

    Thanks for the Video

  • @timrogers2638
    @timrogers2638 Місяць тому

    Fatwood/pineknot was a revelation to me as a Boy Scout. We were on a campout where it rained the whole time. Our Scoutmaster took us Patrol Leaders on a foraging trip to gather pine knot from fallen pine trees. We were warm and dry in short order after that.

  • @albertomagdua7109
    @albertomagdua7109 9 місяців тому

    Wow that's awesome

  • @Matto_Harvo
    @Matto_Harvo Рік тому

    Excellent content. Thanks

  • @AR9ify
    @AR9ify Рік тому

    Great summary 👍

  • @brontosa5351
    @brontosa5351 Рік тому

    This video is golden, thank you

  • @adammetzner
    @adammetzner Рік тому +16

    We used to make the egg crate version and use dryer lint in them. Works great.

    • @caseysmith544
      @caseysmith544 Рік тому +2

      We did the same thing putting dryer lint into a bag, though somebody I think my dad pit cat hair in there as well just becuse he can smell a stink with the dryer lint that few if anybody else can smell.

    • @caseysmith544
      @caseysmith544 Рік тому

      we did the same thing saving dryer lint in a bag though my dad he put some gray cat hair from some now no longer living cats in there because he can smell a smell that is off with the regular dryer lint that few if anybody can smell.

    • @8626John
      @8626John 3 місяці тому

      ​@@caseysmith544And he'd rather smell burning cat hair? Lol

  • @8626John
    @8626John 3 місяці тому

    I like to use dryer lint in the egg carton cups. I do like the straws and cotton balls idea!

  • @deirdredear
    @deirdredear 2 місяці тому

    excellent thank you

  • @hobofab
    @hobofab Рік тому +8

    Im down South from you in Central Florida and love seeing things conducive to our climate and environment! I first came across those diy straw and cotton waterproof fire starters watching Alan Keys and thought how cool they were. I almost always have my little Esbit pocket stove and a couple cubes because it's my favorite but I also have so many fire redundancies on me or in my vehicle that if I die because I can't make a fire then I deserve to die lol Great video

  • @seventhson27
    @seventhson27 7 місяців тому

    My favorite is a 1 inch piece of candle-stick candle. Also dryer lint makes good stuffing for the egg-crate starters.

  • @pnyarrow
    @pnyarrow Рік тому

    Hi Clay.. Thanks for 5 more for the tool box. Stay safe. ATB. Nigel

  • @andrewfitzpatrick9799
    @andrewfitzpatrick9799 5 місяців тому +1

    My dad taught me to make the egg carton ones. We use dryer lint in stead of paper. Soaks up tons of wax and burns forever. Plus there’s always dryer lint.
    Pocket lint works as great kindling also if all else fails. I generally keep some in my pocket.

  • @lanecountybigfooters5716
    @lanecountybigfooters5716 Рік тому

    I'm in Oregon and anything that starts a fire in our climate is awesome! Great video.

    • @jasperjenkins6349
      @jasperjenkins6349 4 місяці тому

      I'm in Klamath. Fornax has been a game changer for me here. :)

  • @omargavarrete1078
    @omargavarrete1078 Рік тому

    Great video bro thanks

  • @K94Life
    @K94Life 10 місяців тому +1

    Best Bushcraft content.
    Appreciate your knowledge man.

  • @bow_hunter0871
    @bow_hunter0871 Рік тому

    awesome content clay, good info!

  • @mab0852
    @mab0852 Рік тому +13

    I trade out the Vaseline for Obenauf's. It's much more multi-purpose because I use it on my boots, knife sheath, gloves, as a rust inhibitor on my knife, and even as lip balm. It even works good on cuts, scrapes, or dry cracked hands. Yeah it's more expensive, but the versatility is terrific. I like to think of it as back woods Ballistol as well. Really good at stopping squeaky gear or lubing a fussy zipper.

    • @clayhayeshunter
      @clayhayeshunter  Рік тому +5

      Yeah, that stuff is great

    • @caseysmith544
      @caseysmith544 Рік тому +3

      @@clayhayeshunter I do the same thing but would swap out the Vaseline for Aquaphor or similar generic, this stuff is something I use for chaffing as it dose the same as Vaseline but no sting and can be an emergency chafed lip thing and hands so if I were out in the woods this is what I would use. A cheap lip balm/Chapstick would work as a fire starter too if it is the Petroleum type and most of the cheaper stuff is a byproduct that the Oil industry can't really use for much.

  • @elund408
    @elund408 Рік тому +1

    my go to for years is the egg cartons filled with dryer lint. then covered in beeswax and paraffin wax they will burn for 15 minutes. but the straw idea is great and would likely easier take a spark from a ferro rod, Ill have to add some of those.

  • @taurbaby
    @taurbaby 8 місяців тому

    Really good video...subscribed!!

  • @user-f5xt2op9t
    @user-f5xt2op9t Рік тому +1

    etroleum Jelly and Cotton Ball is my personal fav because it is the cheapest, fastest, long burn time, and packs down to nothin. Plus Petroleum Jelly is good for first aid so it has double duty in your pack.
    Take the travel sized containers, hollow it out a bit, and store half a dozen cotton balls in there. Make them to order. Truthfully, 1 cotton ball can be broken up into several starters.

  • @CraftwithHeart
    @CraftwithHeart 11 місяців тому

    Brilliant 😊

  • @mem7048
    @mem7048 Рік тому +10

    I use those cotton rounds that are for removing makeup and put one half in melted beeswax and coat the other half with Vaseline. I store them in used Grizzly cans with a strip of electrical tape around the can to secure the top on. Burns over 5 minutes each, ans works in all weather.

  • @jamescooper2618
    @jamescooper2618 Рік тому +1

    Glad to see you doing more black powder videos Clay!

  • @Mshannon75
    @Mshannon75 6 місяців тому +1

    I soak cotton rounds in melted Vaseline. Once it’s cooled and semi-dried, I dip them in melted wax. No mess and very packable.

  • @Nathaniel-Heavyfoot
    @Nathaniel-Heavyfoot 5 місяців тому

    You're the man! The cotton ball straw is awesome ! 🧠 🥇

  • @technicalhandHJ
    @technicalhandHJ Рік тому +2

    In Indian villages we always use pine wood for start fire at tradisional kitchen from centuries

  • @cozmoos
    @cozmoos Рік тому

    This was useful.

  • @Drew-Abbott
    @Drew-Abbott Рік тому +1

    I make fire lighters from wood shavings and wax. I put them in vape tubes. Most of the ones in the UK are steel tubes. Perfect for filling with wax and once you have two the ends can be closes by the little rubber end caps on either end

  • @oodawg
    @oodawg 11 місяців тому +3

    Good video. I have used the straw trick for neosporin before. The soaked cotton ball straw is a great idea never seen that before. You could also rub it on a cut or burn. Thanks for the idea.

    • @akbychoice
      @akbychoice 8 місяців тому +2

      You can put salt, pepper and other seasonings in straws.

  • @MCOult
    @MCOult 4 місяці тому

    Empty pellet or shoe polish tins make excellent cases for the petroleum jelly-soaked cotton balls; both are nearly water/air-proof. I have firestarters I made this way more than 15 years ago that work perfectly. You can also use the tins for charcloth: one tin for making it, one for storing/carrying it.
    BTW, for those of us who save sawdust from our table/miter saws, it's excellent for use with the egg carton fire starters: burns longer than wood shavings.
    Thanks for an excellent video!

  • @stephaniesmith7317
    @stephaniesmith7317 6 місяців тому

    DUDE! The straw seal is killer! Thanx😊

  • @KimA67.
    @KimA67. Рік тому

    Toronto Canada ... THANK YOU BRILLIANT IDEAS!!

  • @j.m.1389
    @j.m.1389 11 місяців тому

    I love your tips, thank you!

  • @Island_Drifter
    @Island_Drifter Рік тому

    Great work keep the videos rolling! All the best Island Drifter

  • @marlind.odermatt8108
    @marlind.odermatt8108 8 місяців тому

    Great video! Possible solution for carrying small amounts of any of thos fire starters is a chew can. I buy my chew in bulk so I have lots of clean cans and they work for anything small like fire plugs or fishing tackle.

  • @BrosephRussell
    @BrosephRussell Рік тому

    Some great fire starters 🔥

  • @jasonmunday9056
    @jasonmunday9056 11 місяців тому

    using the straw is brilliant!

  • @davefabian2942
    @davefabian2942 5 місяців тому

    Some old hunting buddies use to always be on the lookout for what they called rich pine old hemlock or pine logs in northern Pennsylvania, they would carry this stuff for miles back to camp, always made a quick hot! Fire 🔥

  • @claudemaggard7162
    @claudemaggard7162 Рік тому

    That was sone good stuff right there

  • @caseysmith544
    @caseysmith544 Рік тому

    Ponderosa Pine is the one out here on the plains though harder to find, I have taken the inner part of a Eastern Red Cedar/Juniper and chipped it when it was wet out with good success for a fire starter.

  • @WinterSoldier7207
    @WinterSoldier7207 Рік тому

    One easy fire starter I was taught about using is dryer lint, which is great if you can do the laundry at your house, especially if you like reducing waste.
    Simple to use and store in compact containers, lights up with one spark, and isn't messy.

  • @windyloweryking1826
    @windyloweryking1826 Рік тому +1

    I thought for sure you were going to call it Lighter Knot.
    Aww, the pure joy of lighting things on fire!

  • @ringtonetemu1906
    @ringtonetemu1906 11 місяців тому

    Thank you. I came looking for a thing that came in my hike pack. And found lots more. Not a camper but great information because I will be hiking in Belize in August

    • @clayhayeshunter
      @clayhayeshunter  11 місяців тому

      Have fun

    • @shalwaleslie4777
      @shalwaleslie4777 10 місяців тому

      I'm a beekeeper from Belize! Came on to find better ways of lighting my smoker. Happy hiking.

  • @tucker2074
    @tucker2074 Рік тому

    Thankyou

  • @1320420
    @1320420 4 місяці тому

    The best storage method I found for the Vaseline cotton balls is old pill bottles.

  • @jamessanders4310
    @jamessanders4310 Рік тому

    My starter is hardwood noodles dipped in melted beeswax and a little lamp oil. Dip, drain, and hand press together in a small pancake. Works great, but I haven't tried it in the rain.

  • @SaneAsylum
    @SaneAsylum Рік тому +2

    If you're ever in Southeast, Alaska without fire-starter Devil's Club pith is the best tinder for our extremely wet conditions.

  • @tcbink
    @tcbink 3 місяці тому

    Thanks! I’ve been saying this since survival videos started. RIP Ron Hood. If you go anywhere without a bic you are not thinking.

  • @rodrigocappato4207
    @rodrigocappato4207 Рік тому

    Nice tips! I have the same principle when it comes to edc, I just carry my SAK Camper equipped with a Fire Ant fire starter and its tinder. Greetings from the woods in Sweden 🇸🇪

  • @ericpeterson5269
    @ericpeterson5269 5 місяців тому

    Ive never seen that straw technique great way to keep it dry

  • @colleenvarlow8764
    @colleenvarlow8764 Рік тому

    Hi. thanks.

  • @Bobby-hm4dz
    @Bobby-hm4dz 8 місяців тому

    Thank you, liked and subscribed...

  • @McDonaldRocketryHTX
    @McDonaldRocketryHTX 7 місяців тому

    I like the straw idea. I would even buy some of the larger boba/milkshake straws for this to fit more cotton in.

  • @pyeitme508
    @pyeitme508 Рік тому

    WOW

  • @lifeoftraveling8330
    @lifeoftraveling8330 Рік тому +1

    On the egg crate ones you can add a cotton ball after pouring on the wax makes it easy to start with faro rod just press it in to the wax as the wax is half dry to make it stick

  • @WinterSoldier7207
    @WinterSoldier7207 Рік тому +2

    I suppose with the vaseline cotton balls, it would be just as easy to keep both items stored separately, only mixing the two as needed. That way, you can also use the cotton balls and vaseline for other purposes as well.

  • @jacttackle57
    @jacttackle57 Рік тому

    Dryer lint in petroleum jelly is my favorite

  • @SurvivalDoctors
    @SurvivalDoctors Рік тому

    Nice, gonna try using bubble tea straws 😂

  • @Wblair8772
    @Wblair8772 Рік тому

    Sealing the cotton balls in a straw section is genius. I usually just kept them in a zip lock bag but they were a greasy mess. The straw would prevent all that.
    Thanks