Fire is one of the most important assets when you’re in the outdoors. It keeps you warm, scares away predators and it can offer huge psychological value when you’re alone. Starting a fire should really be second nature.
The key to starting any good fire is beginning with good quality tinder. This is the first material to catch a spark or flame. Having good tinder means the fire will start easier and faster. Tinder material is something you can either bring with you or discover in the field. Here we take a look at five effective tinder materials that you can use on your next camping trip.
5 Tinder Options
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Pencil filings
Using thinly sliced pencil scrapings are a great tinder option and it’s easy to carry in your pack. Just bring along a pencil and manual sharpener. You can start a fire and always have a sharp pencil.
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Tree bark
When the ground is wet and you can’t seem to find any dry tinder, check the underside of a piece of bark. You can usually scrape enough fibers off with a knife in order to make a bundle that can catch a spark.
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Cotton balls and vasoline
While cotton balls by themselves can be used as tinder, mashing them in some vasoline or petroleum jelly makes them burn longer. Simply spoon the cotton ball through a bowl of vasoline and then store the cotton balls in a plastic bag or small container for use in the woods.
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Drier lint
Every time you clean out that lint catch on your drier, you have access to a great source of tinder. This lint is actually made of fine strands of your clothing slowly disintegrating over time. But to catch a spark, drier lint works great. If you’re really in a pinch, try digging a little lint out of your belly button. I bet you got some.
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Frito Lays
Virtually any corn chip laden with fat can be used as tinder as it burns long and slow. But one chip in particular as the “granddaddy” of fat content works best and that’s Frito-Lays.
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