I went and bought a couple of packs of 2 9V batteries and a pack of steel wool just the other week after coming across this idea recently while researching survival skills.. Seeing you actually create a fire so easily using them was great. Thank you from a beginner prepper.
This also works with a 6V flashlight battery. If you bring SOS pads on your camping trip you have a dry source of soap for pots and pans in addition to steel wool. But you may need to rinse the soap out of SOS pads to use them as fire starters. I'm not sure what the minimum voltage requirement is to make this work. It does make sense that finer steel wool will work best.
this is why circuit breakers were invented. touching a 9v to a wire wool demonstrates what happens when the wire is too small for the electric load traveling through said wires.
you do not need that much steel wool to start a fire. I understand that it was just for demonstrating purposes, but in a situation where you are relying on it for fire starting you need to use the minimal amount so you can conserve it. Also a really good fire starting material is regular dryer lint, it is extremely flammable (also why you should clean the lint from your dryer vent) and will start easily with ferro rod.
but dryer lint (though a great fires tarter if dry) when damp will not burn... hence the video about steel wool. I always have very fine steel wool in my bug out pack... light as a feather and burns like crazy... will start with a flint and steel or any other spark just as easily. Always carry this and dollar store hand sanitizer 90% alcohol...
It's a really REALLY good idea to put a piece of electrical tape over the tops of the 9-volt battery, when not in use. As you can see here, it is quite a fire hazard if not treated properly...
Yes, you can use any type of battery. The physics is simple: v=ir, where i is the current and r is the resistance. When the current is very high, the electrons move so quickly that they cause the metal to become hot (as the battery's energy is released). This is how light bulbs work; the filament in the light-bulb is the resistor. In the case of the steel wool, the thin steel conducts the electricity but also provides nearly 0 resistance. The equation above can be re-written as i = v/r. Showing us that as the resistance gets closer to zero, the current becomes very high. In fact most mathematicians would say this limit goes to infinity. In reality there is a maximum current. That becomes a critical point where the material cannot withstand the heat released and the energy is released in fire. So it really doesn't matter whether you use 9v or 1.5v, since the resistance is near zero the steel wool will cause a short and it should combust. This should also caution us from throwing away batteries with the leads exposed, but that's another topic I'm sure.
@Jens Videbaek what does the U stand for? I've seen voltage expressed as "V" for voltage, "E" for electromotive force, and "dφ" for difference in electric potential, but I'm not familiar with using the letter "U" for voltage.
I thought it was the opposite, that the wool had such high resistance for the battery and that's why it overheats. Was very confused, Googled it and found the answer: "And a thin wire will have greater resistance than a thick wire. And the longer the wire, the greater the resistance. The wire in steel wool is really thin and really long." and "(...) greater resistance and more heat generated."
This is something that needs to be in your BOB or camping gear. Who knew that I have 9V batteries that I can run an LED light off of and then light a fire with it too. Score! Thanks for the video.
That is very cool and very good to have since it only took seconds to ignite the bundle. This has to be one of the best ways to start a fire without matches.
So, the takeaway from this is, always carry a small packet of steel wool and a 9v battery. No, really. I'm going to put this stuff in our RV. And our ATV's.
MrTommy001 Yeah it's good stuff to have on hand. What I especially like about the steel wool & 9V battery combo is that they are especially good to have in soggy weather.
Here’s an easier way to build a campfire: 1) Make a small collection of burnables-twigs, paper, etc. 2) Lay some fine grade steel wool under the pile. 3) Touch the connector end of a 9V battery to the steel wool. Sparks and fire ignite instantly. Just remember to ALWAYS cover the connector end of your 9V batteries with electrical tape and store them separately from anything flammable, especially away from steel wool.
Thank you so much for your excellent tips 🙏🌼 I just subscribed to your channel as I think you can learn me a lot of good tips that might get important to know in time of crisis!
I don't see this knowledge so much as useful for hiking as it's good to know for disaster situations, such as in a blizzard when say someone gets stranded, and finds themselves having to start a fire in say a closed/abandoned building that has smoke alarms with batteries and maybe a stray pad of steel wool laying around, which is a believable scenario.
Course steel wool works well with one of the square six volt lantern batteries. It glows like a cars cigarette lighter, so you don't actually consume the steel wool while making your fire.
Can you you a ferro rod and knife to ignite the 0000 grade steel wool or does it have to be a 9 volt??? If a spark from a ferro rod ignites it , then you have the ultimate survival fire making kit ! The ferro rods work wet or dry and no safety precautions needed unlike a 9 volt battery with open top terminals! A knife, ferro rod and the 0000 grade wool can all be packed up nicely in a quart size ziplock and placed in backpack or tackle box or day hiking bag !
Keep steel wool nearby too, just not near the battery. If shit really hit the fan, you can touch the 9V battery to the steel wool and it’ll catch fire just long enough for you to spread the flame to leaves and twigs and stuff
how many uses could one battery be used for in a survival situation? does the "tinder" have to be steel wool? would one be limited by the battery's charge or the amount of steel wool they are carrying? what other substitutes for steel wool are there for the Duracell survivalist?
I get how it works, well...I think, the negative and positive current makes a spark on that steel wool, and its so thin, and its part wool that it will light up, that's pretty cool.
There’s more of a chance you will have a match or lighter than steel wool in a survival situation. I can’t even remember ever seeing steel wool laying around anywhere
There's hydro power out in nature if you know where to look. Just find some natural magnets and make a generator. Then all you need is a small amount of native copper and hammer it into thin wire. Now you're all set to start a fire!
if you have heavy mist or rain, or even fog, your zip lock will not stop your dryer lint from getting damp... you obviously are a fair weather camper... shut up and let people learn.
My dad showed me how to do this when I was like 10 to keep me busy and out of his hair.... 90’s was a different time 😂. Thanks dad!
Yep. I remember doing things like pouring a Dixie cup full of gasoline on an old Styrofoam cooler and pretending it was Xenomorph blood on metal 😅
I went and bought a couple of packs of 2 9V batteries and a pack of steel wool just the other week after coming across this idea recently while researching survival skills.. Seeing you actually create a fire so easily using them was great. Thank you from a beginner prepper.
Marvelous idea! Huh I wouldn't have thought of that in a million years?
This also works with a 6V flashlight battery. If you bring SOS pads on your camping trip you have a dry source of soap for pots and pans in addition to steel wool. But you may need to rinse the soap out of SOS pads to use them as fire starters.
I'm not sure what the minimum voltage requirement is to make this work. It does make sense that finer steel wool will work best.
this is why circuit breakers were invented. touching a 9v to a wire wool demonstrates what happens when the wire is too small for the electric load traveling through said wires.
you do not need that much steel wool to start a fire. I understand that it was just for demonstrating purposes, but in a situation where you are relying on it for fire starting you need to use the minimal amount so you can conserve it. Also a really good fire starting material is regular dryer lint, it is extremely flammable (also why you should clean the lint from your dryer vent) and will start easily with ferro rod.
but dryer lint (though a great fires tarter if dry) when damp will not burn... hence the video about steel wool. I always have very fine steel wool in my bug out pack... light as a feather and burns like crazy... will start with a flint and steel or any other spark just as easily. Always carry this and dollar store hand sanitizer 90% alcohol...
Go away you clown,he was just showing what wirewool can do.havent you got to go and clean your bedroom or something????
Is this why the twin towers went down so fast? I feel safer in a brick building now.
@@XOXO-mb2vh brick shatters under impact, and prone to quakes.
Rocks are the best, big huge roman/greek slabs
dryer lint has not metal fibers and is not water/wind proof when burning.
Found my way here after viewing a housefire video where the 9v batteries in a bag for recycling caught the house on fire! This however is very cool.
It's a really REALLY good idea to put a piece of electrical tape over the tops of the 9-volt battery, when not in use. As you can see here, it is quite a fire hazard if not treated properly...
Yes, you can use any type of battery. The physics is simple: v=ir, where i is the current and r is the resistance. When the current is very high, the electrons move so quickly that they cause the metal to become hot (as the battery's energy is released). This is how light bulbs work; the filament in the light-bulb is the resistor. In the case of the steel wool, the thin steel conducts the electricity but also provides nearly 0 resistance. The equation above can be re-written as i = v/r. Showing us that as the resistance gets closer to zero, the current becomes very high. In fact most mathematicians would say this limit goes to infinity. In reality there is a maximum current. That becomes a critical point where the material cannot withstand the heat released and the energy is released in fire. So it really doesn't matter whether you use 9v or 1.5v, since the resistance is near zero the steel wool will cause a short and it should combust. This should also caution us from throwing away batteries with the leads exposed, but that's another topic I'm sure.
@Jens Videbaek what does the U stand for? I've seen voltage expressed as "V" for voltage, "E" for electromotive force, and "dφ" for difference in electric potential, but I'm not familiar with using the letter "U" for voltage.
I am not so sure about the electrons moving quickly argument
I thought it was the opposite, that the wool had such high resistance for the battery and that's why it overheats. Was very confused, Googled it and found the answer: "And a thin wire will have greater resistance than a thick wire. And the longer the wire, the greater the resistance. The wire in steel wool is really thin and really long." and "(...) greater resistance and more heat generated."
@@slaveNo-4028 thanks your explanation was really helpful.
This is something that needs to be in your BOB or camping gear. Who knew that I have 9V batteries that I can run an LED light off of and then light a fire with it too. Score! Thanks for the video.
THAT.......is freaking awesome! Excellent bit of knowledge ought there! Thanks so much.
Your method really surprises me and it is awesome.
Wow! I need to be super careful I had both of these things in the same drawer and now I don’t. Sheesh! Be careful everyone! :}
That is very cool and very good to have since it only took seconds to ignite the bundle.
This has to be one of the best ways to start a fire without matches.
The smoke from the steel wool is caused by the oil coating that helps prevent oxidation.
mtncharlie1968 That's what I've heard. The combination of thin steel fibers along with the light coating of oil makes one heck of a fire starter.
So, the takeaway from this is, always carry a small packet of steel wool and a 9v battery. No, really. I'm going to put this stuff in our RV. And our ATV's.
MrTommy001 Yeah it's good stuff to have on hand. What I especially like about the steel wool & 9V battery combo is that they are especially good to have in soggy weather.
Just don't pack 'em in the same baggie. XD
@@samaritan_sys I did that once, except it was in my pocket, I wouldn't recommend it unless you like the smell of medium rare flesh
How many innocent Palestinian civilians did you murder with cold blood
Or just a pack of matches
I Did it inside and my house caught on fire
lmao
He probably tried it with 230 V AC
oof
tough
Philip Kilpatrick Wow
Benjamin Gordon and pass the doobie
That should be in every survival kit!! Good Job!!!
Thanks Cory. It truly is an awesome fire starting technique.
Just don't store them together 😅
Totaly awesome was looking for a way to make fire even on weather problems like rain..
thanks
Hmm I did like today's Episode 🤔
Thank you for your information sir, this will help campers and survivalist to improvise.
I'm going to have a go at this and impress my son's with the knowledge of lighting a fire easily 😂
Here’s an easier way to build a campfire: 1) Make a small collection of burnables-twigs, paper, etc. 2) Lay some fine grade steel wool under the pile. 3) Touch the connector end of a 9V battery to the steel wool. Sparks and fire ignite instantly. Just remember to ALWAYS cover the connector end of your 9V batteries with electrical tape and store them separately from anything flammable, especially away from steel wool.
Heard about this technique back in my days as an Air Cadet
Thank you so much for your excellent tips 🙏🌼 I just subscribed to your channel as I think you can learn me a lot of good tips that might get important to know in time of crisis!
great vid... we use to use steel wool back in scouts...
That's really neat! I'm good friends with an older gentleman who was a scout master for many years. I love hearing his stories.
Very well done video. Thanks.
I don't see this knowledge so much as useful for hiking as it's good to know for disaster situations, such as in a blizzard when say someone gets stranded, and finds themselves having to start a fire in say a closed/abandoned building that has smoke alarms with batteries and maybe a stray pad of steel wool laying around, which is a believable scenario.
Word word, nice and simple and to the chase. I learned about this first from a damn near 10 minute video a while back
In my bug out bag I have steel wool and brand new 9 V batteries taped over so they don’t accidentally start a fire.
This is pretty cool. Thanks. 😎
I learned something new today. thanks
Course steel wool works well with one of the square six volt lantern batteries. It glows like a cars cigarette lighter, so you don't actually consume the steel wool while making your fire.
very nice , thank you . great urban survival tech .
For the amount of weight this adds to anybodys survival pack...just kidding. It's now an absolute staple.
Can you you a ferro rod and knife to ignite the 0000 grade steel wool or does it have to be a 9 volt???
If a spark from a ferro rod ignites it , then you have the ultimate survival fire making kit ! The ferro rods work wet or dry and no safety precautions needed unlike a 9 volt battery with open top terminals! A knife, ferro rod and the 0000 grade wool can all be packed up nicely in a quart size ziplock and placed in backpack or tackle box or day hiking bag !
Keep steel wool nearby too, just not near the battery. If shit really hit the fan, you can touch the 9V battery to the steel wool and it’ll catch fire just long enough for you to spread the flame to leaves and twigs and stuff
hi, You are the most smart guy .:-D
Unbelievable ❤
Keep you dryer lint... during the winter for summer camping, during the summer for the nesting birds...
Great job 👏
how many uses could one battery be used for in a survival situation? does the "tinder" have to be steel wool? would one be limited by the battery's charge or the amount of steel wool they are carrying? what other substitutes for steel wool are there for the Duracell survivalist?
Dang...i could have used this last week in Texas been my arse was freezin' off.
Cool!
That was so helpful because I have a wilderness survival merit badge and we have to do that
Guess it has to be a new 🔋 ? My 9 volt didn't work, must've been dead 😣
Doubt it. Try 0000 Grade Wool and spread it a part very thinly.
hey like this will use that to light my picnic grill much easier (Y)
If you use the spring from a pen instead of steel wool, you end up building a nice electric heater :)
congratulations my friend.
i'm go used here in Brazil.
That was freakin' cool! :o)
Awesome!!!
Cool thanks.
I mean it's cool af.... But you could swap out the wool and battery while you're in line for another survivalist tool.......... A bic lighter.
i have some little pieces of steel wool from school so i want to try this. i love fire :P
That's is so handy and cool
How does Steel Wool Catch Fire so easily just by using a 9v Battery?
I love today's episode. That was great. It's something I never knew was possible.
Amazin' Blazin' !
I had heard about this method but didn't know how it worked. Now I do! Thanks for sharing.
Awesome! Thanks Stan.
Thank you
Wow, awesome trick!
You can bring this on a plane. Keep em separate and always on you
Imagine marking shirt out of this and gifting to an electrician
This is a really great!
How many fires can u touch with it before the battery's dead?
Cool way to invent the fire
I love the intro
Thanks! It's on all my videos.
Nice 1
NICE IDEA IF YOU HAVE IT WITH YOU.
BUT MOST FORESTS DON'T GROW STEEL WOOL OR BATTERIES.
Really cool!
I get how it works, well...I think, the negative and positive current makes a spark on that steel wool, and its so thin, and its part wool that it will light up, that's pretty cool.
There is no wool in steel wool.
@@madisonfoster9290 Yeah, I don't know what I was thinking four years ago.
There’s more of a chance you will have a match or lighter than steel wool in a survival situation. I can’t even remember ever seeing steel wool laying around anywhere
This might be a dumb questions, but can I use rechargeable 9v's so that one 9v battery is all I need?
+King Kreepy Yes, and a common fire starting flint struck into the steel wool is great, too.
Anything with a positive and negative electrode will do so if you have that then your'e set.
I've seen it done with a foil gum wrapper back in the day, but the problem is they don't make foil gum wrappers anymore.
it works great
Yea it does
When most electric gear run on batteries from a store that was an obvious thing to do.
I'm totally trying this.
So you wet the steel wool and then put the battery end to it, and it starts?
I was looking for 0000 steel wool on that really popular online store and saw this use listed on the Rhodes American brand.
Do you really need that much steel wool? I wonder, would this work touching the two sides of AAA battery?
carry some dryer lint too (seperately)
Common Sense tells us not to carry the wool with the battery in the same pocket !! LOL
You also use the foil out of cigarette packs.
Awesome tip!
Thx.
Thats good for day 1. But I guess you better have a Costco supply of steel wool on hand if you are going to be down and out a week or so.. ;)
Holy sh*t. Awesome!
great video man thanks
thank you
Nice Vid, bud ;)
Good idea for sure. Now imagine you are in situation where you have none of that but still need fire
There's hydro power out in nature if you know where to look. Just find some natural magnets and make a generator. Then all you need is a small amount of native copper and hammer it into thin wire. Now you're all set to start a fire!
just one question what did u put the steel wool in, a glass of water, or paraffin.
great video.
+john whelan I stuck the steel wool in water to show that it can still ignite, even when wet.
OK thank you,good show
thank youuu. I'm not the only one!
dryer lint and a match works just as well
well then.....you use lint and a match then dude.geeesh.some of these comments.
And what if lint gets wet? This would work with wet wool. It's not hard to come across.
that's one of the reasons we have zip lock baggies, to keep things dry
if you have heavy mist or rain, or even fog, your zip lock will not stop your dryer lint from getting damp... you obviously are a fair weather camper... shut up and let people learn.
Pretty awesome
Im here cuz I put something with aluminium foil in the microwave and I think you can imagine what happened
Great info - Thanks!
Thanks for commenting Hannah!
Thank you go the broadcast ots going to be in my bug out bag separately of course!
Fantastic
Do you have to wet the steel wool first as shown or can it also be dry? Thx 4 posting...
In what solution did you dip the steel
lwool..???
Sooo good