The best ones that I've ever found: melt some wax in a container and then just keep stuffing cotton balls into it until all of the wax is absorbed. Take them out and let them cool separately. Once the wax is melted, you can do an entire bag of cotton balls in 10 or 15 minutes. You end up with cotton ball sized chunks of wax/cotton that you can split open and fire up. They are completely waterproof and burn for about 15 minutes. Much faster and a lot less messy than the straw method.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Sounds great, thanks for the feedback 😁
@spuddy4845
Жыл бұрын
@@wildnessoutdoors packet of crisps is the best, irish fire starters we call them in the uk, any flavour light corner of pack and up it goes
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
I'd be too tempted to eat them lol
@MV-bo1gv
Жыл бұрын
Too much work!!!! Put de cotton balls with petroleum jelly into the zip lock bag and BOOOMMM!!! that's it!!!!
@theterrestrial3267
Жыл бұрын
And cleaning your dryer vent and filter is a good thing besides helping prevent fires the lint is also a great material to throw in also
@alph8654
Жыл бұрын
A guy by the name of Gene Ward, who is dead now would saturate the cotton ball in the vaseline and wrap it in aluminum foil. Then take his knife and split it open and take some tweezers and pull up on the cotton ball and make a little wick out of it. He would then light it. He said they could burn up to 1 hr. They are actually sold on his website run by his wife and some friends. They say it will burn for 30-60 minutes. I am going to make my own. The straw looked like it worked well also. Thanks for the video.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
That's interesting, might have to play around with that idea.
@alph8654
Жыл бұрын
@@wildnessoutdoors I just saw his video a few days ago and have not tried it yet, but I am going to. He was a survival instructor in the Air Force. He traveled a lot and held seminars about survival. He actually walked across the U.S. continent one time.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Yeah I was just looking at his website there. Firestarter Nuggets are what he called them.
@JugglesGrenades
Жыл бұрын
That is how I do mine, little squares of aluminum foil. Take your knife, cut an "X" then use the tip of the knife to pull out a little bit. Don't really need a match or lighter. Just throw some sparks from a ferro rod.... Instant fire.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Defo gonna try these!
@peterheinrichs7634
Жыл бұрын
Nice one! I'd like to add a warning: burning plastics isn't healthy at all! Don't inhale it!!! For an emergency situation or for prepping: no one cares. It just doesn't matter. But, for having fun in the yard or in the woods, for making these things or for training, you should beware of it. Stay healthy and have some fun!
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Completely agree!
@markcocks5295
Жыл бұрын
Yes, I was thinking the same thing too, especially as it is used for food...
@peterheinrichs7634
Жыл бұрын
@@markcocks5295 I have less concerns about food then about breathing... See... The tinder doesn't burn as long. For cooking you need a hot flame in the first place. This flame will eat your tinder pretty fast. When your fire got big enough to cook, the tinder should be gone. Imho, the risk is in having your face pretty close to the tinder while starting the fire. That's the moment, you inhale the burning plastics. PS: on a scd thought for clearification - The tinder is supposed to burn a long time. And it WILL burn for a pretty long time. But, just as long, until you got a hot flame. Then it will burn fast, due to the hot fire all around your tinder.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
The whole firelighter is completely incinerated long before any food goes near the fire.
@6ELV9
8 ай бұрын
Yh I was thinking the same... all you need and it's quicker is a small jar of Vaseline and a small bag of cotton wool balls, wipe it and then light it.. I would also make my own Vaseline that contains no Petroleum, cos it makes them better for your health...
@tonyv8925
Жыл бұрын
I have been using plastic straws to store many different items for my backpack survival kit for years. Coffee, cream, sugar, salt, spices, spaghetti, rice, matches with striker, dried soups, powdered milk, mashed potato flakes, just to name a few. Take up very little room in the back pack and they are waterproof and float too. Thanks for sharing this video.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for feedback. Yeah they're a great option, you can just keep thinking of more and more things to keep in them!
@ARCSTREAMS
Жыл бұрын
that's crazy the amount of time and mess it takes you to fill and seal many up specially if you need a good amount of something, why not just use small food saver bags and vacuum seal what you need
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Each to their own 😁
@akbychoice
Жыл бұрын
@@ARCSTREAMSindividually waterproof. Medicine bottles work and are resealable.
@ARCSTREAMS
Жыл бұрын
@@akbychoice what are you on about?
@jamescanjuggle
Жыл бұрын
best thing about these videos is everyone has their own way of making fire in the comments thanks a mill for the video lad 👌👌
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Yeah I'm loving the ideas. Outdoor people are the best! Thanks for watching 😁
@mendyviola
Жыл бұрын
As a woman, I always carry tampons and a small jar of Vaseline in my hygiene/first aid kit. Tampons come sealed, but I store them in a zip lock bag for extra water protection. Don’t waste the Vaseline on your trousers, moisturize your hands/face/arms!
@TalRohan
Жыл бұрын
good point protecting lips and cheeks is really important in severe weather
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Ugh hate vaseline on my face, I'm weird lol thanks for watching 😁
@billsheehan4244
Жыл бұрын
Ironic that you need 🔥 fire to make the Firestarter. Great idea though.
@patricecohen6605
Жыл бұрын
@@billsheehan4244 only spark with ferrorod
@BaseDeltaZero1972
Жыл бұрын
Tampons and condoms - Essential parts of many old old school survival tins/kits. There are better solutions to water carrying and firelighting these days, but the older solutions worked well enough back in the day.
@guitchess
Жыл бұрын
Pretty good container for easy packing and damp conditions. However, you're wasting one of the best traits of the cotton ball/Vaseline starter by massaging the jelly fully into the ball. A dry cotton ball will ignite easy with the spark from an empty Bic, but not if the jelly hinders it. Also, if you put jelly in one end of the straw, then press most of the ball into it you will get the best of both. To light, I snip the end off of the dry end, fluff some ball to catch spark, then you're set with almost guaranteed fire in all but the worst conditions.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Yes I know exactly what you mean. It does make it a bit harder to ignite with loads of jelly. I've done something similar to what you suggest by putting a little dry cotton in the middle to catch a spark more readily. I've not found it to be a major issue though. Thanks for comment!
@ianwebb6182
Жыл бұрын
Recently found some of these stored away in a sealable tube in a box of my old things. Made them about 5 years ago. Still worked perfectly
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Yeah I stash them everywhere and find them years later lol 😆
@awatt
Жыл бұрын
We used to use sawdust soaked in a little paraffin. Just enough to make a firm paste. Lit easily and burned with a hot flame that resisted the wind quite well.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Never tried this but if it works, it works :) thanks for watching!
@samTollefson
Жыл бұрын
This is what I do, in a 1-gallon paint can I melt 1/4 to 1/3-gallon wax then quickly fill and mix in sawdust (avoid PT sawdust) I then roll it out on my Formica shop table to a thickness of about 1/2" then cut it into 1 1/2" squares. They make a nice large flame for a long time, great for starting your BBQ charcoal or any tinder. Hint: to make them light faster, I cut cotton balls in half, dip the end in molten wax and stick it to the side of a sawdust cube, also try to avoid using scented candles you will have to smell that every time you light one, ask me how I know.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
That's some badass firelighting capabilities right there 👊
@samTollefson
Жыл бұрын
@@wildnessoutdoors Thanks, One other thing I just recalled against using scented candles for this, I had raccoons steal the bag of firestarters thinking they are getting people food, they don,t eat them, just take them to the edge of the wood and tear up the bag.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
😯😯 thankfully we've no racoons over here. Foxes can be a pain in the ass though lol
@redpillnibbler4423
Жыл бұрын
I sometimes use a slightly longer piece of straw and put cotton wool with Vaseline at one end and just cotton wool at the other end with a match or two and tiny striker in,so you have an all in one mini fire starter.These are great for survival kits or mini pocket tins.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Nice!
@melgillham462
Жыл бұрын
For extended stays in the outdoors, you could actually leave the straw whole, pack it with a chop stick, seal either end then cut and reseal it as you need. Very cool idea. 👍🤝
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Yeah true! Thanks for watching!
@Oldsparkey
Жыл бұрын
Watching him I was thinking Chop Sticks.
@gordonlawrence1448
Жыл бұрын
Cotton wool and petrolium jelly are two items I always put in any survival kit along with tea lights. Definitely making some of these for my tinder pouch.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching 🙂 good luck!
@joesmith6199
Жыл бұрын
great idea! I have also used birchbark (common in northern and central Minnesota) and wooden splints soaked in a mixture of kerosene and wax.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Birch bark is my number one natural resource. Loads of it available in my area 😁 Thanks for watching 👀
@knot4man
Жыл бұрын
I use paraffin- dipped cardboard that I get free at the grocery store. It's used to ship some vegetables. Talk to the greengrocer. These boxes are not recycled with regular cardboard because of the paraffin. For easiest lighting, peel up a bit at a corner.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Nice! Thanks for posting 😁
@rjostusa4274
Жыл бұрын
I look forward to the reveal of the entire kit. The minimalist kit is well developed and tested, by all appearance. Thus far, I am impressed by the videos and the presentation. Press forward!
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Thanks!! I'll get the full kit documented at some stage, I'm still learning the fine art of KZitem content creation!!
@khakicampbell6640
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the great tip and straw sealing demo. 👍 Also by the way, this comment section is amazing! I read 15 comments and each had their own fire starter recipe, learned a ton. ;) Cheers!
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
I know right!? Outdoor people are the best people! Thanks for watching 😁
@DamienNeverwinter
4 ай бұрын
Great video! These old timers in France were stacking tealight candles in a plastic tube and using one of them to start their fires. That and their old zippos and they were good to go for starting a fire. One of them swore by a little jar about 2/3 times the height of the tealight and he could hold twigs over the top to get them lighted. He said it works a dream in wind and rain.
@wildnessoutdoors
4 ай бұрын
Never question an old timer... voices of experience!!
@DamienNeverwinter
4 ай бұрын
@@wildnessoutdoors I'm surprised Sir, because I cant think of seeing a bushcrafter on youtube with a candle, but I think it must be a really good idea. Being wax, candles are waterproof. Plus if you get a big fat candle and you only light them long enough to get tinder going (2 mins) they could surely last for 100's of fires? edit: Just googled it, a large thick candle can last 40-60 hours, a very big one (too big for backpacking probably) can last up to 100 hours! That must make for a LOT of campfires
@wildnessoutdoors
4 ай бұрын
@DamienNeverwinter I keep a few tealight candles in my kit but never really use them tbh
@markm8188
Жыл бұрын
I like it. And as you said, the idea of sealing straw pieces can be used for storing other things. 👍
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Defo! Thanks for watching 😁
@IMDARKFIRE007
Жыл бұрын
THAT is a great method for everything from fire starters to food and coffee. Waterproof, light, and would float if dropped in water. WELL done.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Thanks 😊
@phoenixrising4073
Жыл бұрын
I really like the idea of using the straws to store other things as well; soap, spices, oil, etc. Neat and versatile. Thanks for the upload, cheers!
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Yeah loads of uses! Thanks for watching.
@johnwilliams8654
Жыл бұрын
Great idea! I keep cotton balls w/ Vaseline in a Ziplock, but I like to give them a light dusting of magnesium just to be sure they will start and generate some good heat!
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
I've considered adding some magnesium powder to mine for extra oomph, maybe the next batch lol thanks for watching!!
@markm8188
Жыл бұрын
Where do you obtain that?
@redpillnibbler4423
Жыл бұрын
I find gunpowder works a treat 💥
@krishoogstraat6866
Жыл бұрын
Well done. I like the way you explained the process and showed us. You “Savage” . 😂
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Haha thanks, keep it savage lol
@Poppageno
Жыл бұрын
Good idea! I make my firestarter out of round cotton pads and soak them in wax. No mess, easy light and burn long and hot.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Yeah that works great too! Thanks for watching 😁
@tonyv8925
Жыл бұрын
You can also use Q-tips with a little vaseline on them.
@mattbrown5511
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for sharing this. I will be making a pile of these for storage and usage.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Nice one, thanks for watching!
@fredalbrecht986
Жыл бұрын
I do a similar thing. Only I use triple antibiotic ointment in place of Patroleum jelly. Makes them multi-purpose. In my mind that's what it's all about.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Excellent idea!
@redpillnibbler4423
Жыл бұрын
On a tangent,if you blacken cotton wool with charred wood powder it will light using a fresnel lens (you need strong sunlight obviously)
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Ooo interesting idea!
@elderhiker7787
Жыл бұрын
Wow, that was incredible. I’ve never seen that before. Thanks for sharing.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching and for the kind comment 😀 😊
@redpillnibbler4423
Жыл бұрын
There’s loads of videos out there 👍
@kuzinit2374
Жыл бұрын
FYI, you can use alcohol wipes , very cheap 100 for about $7 , just unfold them and crumple them up , they burn for about 4 minutes and light with just a spark , plus you can use them to clean yourself or gear, pre-made and light&easy
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the tip 😁
@markm8188
Жыл бұрын
Where do you find alcohol wipes?
@kuzinit2374
Жыл бұрын
@@markm8188 at the drug store , individually wrapped , plus if you have any alcohol based hand cleaner , it’s like gel firestarter , put some on some tinder, poof
@redpillnibbler4423
Жыл бұрын
I find they do work well but don’t burn that long and can be unreliable as they tend to dry out over time.For that reason I wouldn’t rely on them in a survival kit.
@redpillnibbler4423
Жыл бұрын
@@kuzinit2374 Alcohol hand gel works great,very similar to Firedraggon fuel gel. I sometimes use it light my stove at home - just squeeze a bit on the kindling 👍👍
@jdsrcs8061
Жыл бұрын
Great idea. I did this over the weekend after watching. I picked up the straws from the gas station
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Nice! Thanks for watching 😁 👀
@TheGuidedSharpeningGuide
Ай бұрын
I take a cotton dental damn/plug (whatever you want to call them) and put 3 or 4 drops of paraffin lamp oil on it then dip it in paraffin wax to seal it and extend the burn time. Super low temp melted wax works best and how i achieve that is i melt my wax in a tart warmer. Great video my friend!!!!
@wildnessoutdoors
Ай бұрын
Nice! Thanks for kind words 🙏
@finfish260
Жыл бұрын
I just tried this because it looked like fun. However it's very messy. I found out that too much Vaseline on the cotton inhibits you from getting the cotton ball into the straw. Leaving both ends of the straw open when inserting the cotton makes it easier to go in. The ends will not seal if there are any cotton strands left at the end of the tube. It was kind of fun but I'm gonna stick with soaking makeup cleansing pads in Beeswax - it's not messy, they are waterproof and they work great. I used them every morning in Idaho for 5 weeks.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for feedback, whatever works best for you!
@QuantumPyrite_88.9
8 ай бұрын
I'd rather get a bit "messy" than freeze to death.
@georgeg7840
Жыл бұрын
I seal pre-threaded needles in straws with a mini paperclip (to improvise buttons) and 2 mini safety pins, I have a couple on me at all times. My straws are in color so I add a label on the outside mentioning the color of the nanocord (mini paracord ~a millimetre in diameter). I have to widen the eye of the needle with a very small flat screwdriver, cheap needles will break if you even try but the ones from fabricville (here in Canada) work fine.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Pre threading needles is a great idea 💡👌
@redpillnibbler4423
Жыл бұрын
Neat idea
@JoelSzymczyk
Жыл бұрын
learned somewhere along the way, take a plastic ziplock sandwich bag, put a handful of cotton balls in, and enough vaseline to saturate them.... close the bag and mush the vaseline into the cotton balls inside the bag. No annoying mess and you can make enough at one time to last a good while.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Nice! Thanks for watching 😁
@donkeybrainwhoknew933
Жыл бұрын
Good info. Keep the vids coming so us campers can review our skills and for people new to camping or prepping.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Will do!
@aaronwilcox6417
Жыл бұрын
I dislike the petro jelly option it's messy. Instead I bought an old thrift store cheap toaster oven and cookie sheet. Bought an beeswax toilet ring and a block of canning parriffin and ad boiled linseed oil to mine and heat a little in toaster oven. Drop in an sheet of paper towel with an pair of tongs and a little soak. Pull out and let dry and then fold into small tiny booklets. These are waterproof, easy to carry, not messy and easy to make and it makes an immense amount of starters. Open them, fluff them up with a blade and hit with an spark. The big deal is they aren't messy to carry.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Sounds complicated but also sounds good 😁 thanks for watching
@fernandoromero3649
Жыл бұрын
Cool idea can you make a video on it
@Tjensen999
Жыл бұрын
I’ve made these for years. Still one of my favorite ways to make and store my homemade fire starters.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Definitely agree there 👍 thanks for watching 😁
@gpozdol7912
Жыл бұрын
Brilliant Sir. I would love to get one of those lighters.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
If you mean the torch lighter, it's a Soto Micro Torch, I did a full video about it 😁 thanks for watching.
@Applecider-Poetry
6 ай бұрын
the nice thing about vaseline on your hands is that they won't burn as easily. it is protective and good for hydrating skin anyway
@wildnessoutdoors
6 ай бұрын
True! Thanks for watching 😁
@munchkin5674
Жыл бұрын
The straw method has been around for sometime and it is handy and a lot less messy to deal with. Plastic straws are, or was, I guess they still are, available in different diameters. I even found 1/2” diameter plastic straws. They can be used to create spice kits, pill holders, match holders, fishing kits, ammo, etc. You could even stash or cache cash in those larger straws and keep it moisture proof.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Agreed! Thanks for watching 👀
@tonyv8925
Жыл бұрын
I use the large diameter milkshake straws to store .22rimfire ammo for my single shot rifle..holds an average of 6 to 9 rounds depending on how long the straw is.
@Bear-Ur2ez
Жыл бұрын
I like this concept somewhat better than putting several in a tin . Do to the fact these are small . You can carry many of them at one time and they're water proof.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
My thoughts EXACTLY!!!
@edwardfletcher7790
Жыл бұрын
I keep them in a tin, in a ziplock...
@redpillnibbler4423
Жыл бұрын
Good for mini ‘survival’ tins.
@troye.1309
Жыл бұрын
This way is messy but works. I used to fill egg carton sections with dryer lint and used candle wax (melted). Let them harden and then break off each individual section...worked great😃
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Yeah definitely a good option, thanks for watching 😁
@roberttolley5055
9 ай бұрын
I use cotton flat rounds, dipped in wax, stuck to birch bark round, with Vaseline sticking all together. Being disabled had time to make a dozen. Use fat wood mini sticks over fire.
@wildnessoutdoors
9 ай бұрын
Nice!
@alanmc9152
Жыл бұрын
Loved the appearance of a Leatherman Juice. The best UK legal carry multitool.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Man I cannot believe they discontinued the Juice! Absolute best wee UK legal multitool.
@TalRohan
Жыл бұрын
Thats cool also small pieces of straw like that make really good little fishing floats too.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching 😁
@tolarpowell5069
Жыл бұрын
I use petroleum jelly, but I melt mine in a can in a pot of water. I bring the petroleum jelly to melting point, then dip cotton balls to saturate. They burn like candles. You could then put the cotton in the tube and seal, but I just fill up a medicine bottle. I highly recommend you do this outside unless you want to be homeless and then have to start campfires to live.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Sounds good, thanks for watching 😁
@untermench3502
Жыл бұрын
I use a 50/50 mixture of Beeswax and 160F melting point microcrystalline wax. I use it as a bullet lubricant and fire starter fuel.It's not very tacky to the touch and can easily be formed and manipulated. It will not render gunpowder inert and is very waterproof. Vaseline is a very low melting point form of microcrystalline wax.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Nice!! Very inventive.
@mytech6779
Жыл бұрын
Vasoline is a mixture that contains some microcrystalline wax and heavy mineral oil. Actually a fairly complex naturally formed mix of refining leftovers but basically various grades of those two main compounds.
@RUGRAF-rf8fi
7 ай бұрын
Nice work. Fantastic way to waterproof!👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
@wildnessoutdoors
7 ай бұрын
Thanks 😁
@stuartmccloud307
Жыл бұрын
I use Cotton wool vaz balls, but this idea is fantastic to keep one maybe in your wallet or somewhere just in case. Great video, cheers
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Thanks 😊 I stash them everywhere lol
@angik23
Жыл бұрын
That’s an idea I haven’t seen yet & I’m going to make some of those today! Thank you so much! 🥰Be safe & God bless! 💗✝️💗
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Excellent! Thanks for watching 😁
@ajsettlemyer3105
Жыл бұрын
I do the cotton ball Vaseline and I make up like 3-4 cotton balls and store them in an old prescription bottle. Then I just pull one out when I need it. Lighting them with a ferro rod is good to know too. Cheers.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Nice! Thanks for watching 😁
@JoeGoesOutside
Жыл бұрын
Hey same here with the pill bottle! You can stuff a whole bunch of them in there. I usually just pack mine until I can't get anymore in it and then I make some more when it's empty or close to.
@permanenceaesthetic6545
Жыл бұрын
Diabetic test strip containers work well too. Plus, you can open them one handed if need be.
@matthewbrown6163
Жыл бұрын
You may to try rolling the cotton ball like using a rolling pin by running the palm of your hand over it. I made a few of these as per your idea & found making the cotton roll out like sausages was a bit easier. But these are a brilliant idea to add to any fire kit or survival tin. Bloody Brilliant simple ideas like this are the very best. Good On You :)
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the kind words!! 😊
@hedgebetss
Жыл бұрын
Try the flat makeup cotton pads. Soak then in lighter fluid and pour melted wax on them. They harden to to cakes. I use them for lighting fires all the time
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Yeah I've friends who use them, they work great! Thanks for watching 😁
@djchinatown
8 ай бұрын
awesome tip. It keeps it nice and dry too
@wildnessoutdoors
8 ай бұрын
Yup! Thanks 😁
@julesprice5805
4 ай бұрын
Nice!!! Thank you. I dont like the fact of burning plastic but it is much easier than sealing a cotton round in wax! Easy to carry , definitely waterproof, can store many of these without using much space! God bless you! Jesus is the only way!
@wildnessoutdoors
3 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching 😁
@woodrowedwards7212
Жыл бұрын
I always use dryer lint instead of cotton balls, but I like the idea of using straws
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Either works but I don't have a dryer lol 😅
@billburr5881
Жыл бұрын
Great idea and a good demonstration! One small suggestion - maybe put them in water, shake to dry and then light to demonstrate how water proof they are!
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Yeah that would have been a good idea for the video. I'm confident of their waterproofness but it's always good to provide proof!!
@redpillnibbler4423
Жыл бұрын
As long as you sealed them properly they are completely waterproof.
@thekatt...
Жыл бұрын
Corn chips make great firestarter aswell. Also tostitos chips. 👍🎄🇨🇦
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
I've used Doritos before!!
@coyotesnipe
Жыл бұрын
I like the idea of containing the messy petroleum jelly, have to make some up,,,
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Go for it! Thanks for watching :)
@kokopelau6954
Жыл бұрын
I make mine waterproof by using wax instead. Heat up some wax using a double boiler or a woman's hot wax kit, dip the cotton in the wax, set on waxed paper to cool and dry. They also work as fuel to heat water over in a pinch if your stove breaks.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Both methods work great, thanks for watching 😁
@nagaviper1169
Жыл бұрын
I did something very similar. I bought some plain white candles and some cotton rounds at a local dollar tree. Melted up the wax dipped them in and let them cool down on some aluminum foil. Then if I ever need to use it I can just tear it up into little pieces and I have a great little fire starter. And since they are soaked in wax I never have to worry about them getting waterlogged
@mannihh5274
Жыл бұрын
@Kokopelau - if you don't seal them in, they will melt and make a mess in hot summer conditions, e.g. leaving it in a parked car. If you burn the tip before dipping it in the wax, starting it with a ferro-rod gets a lot easier.
@kokopelau6954
Жыл бұрын
@ManniH H I carry mine in a ziplock bag and I also carry them in an Altoids tin they've never melted on me, so I don't know, maybe I use a different kind of wax than you do but even candles don't melt in the hot sun as a general rule. I've left them in my car all summer at 105° plus and they haven't melted. You can burn the end but if you do they will get wet, wet cotton won't burn. I just take and break off the wax when I want to start it then I can light it with the fero rod. I also use canning wax or beeswax neither of which generally melt on me. I learned that trick from my grandfather who was born in 1885 and was a beekeeper. He also used beeswax to waterproof all of his bullets around the primer and the seat of the bullet. If you can't find wax a crayon works nicely also. I also have a one foot section of braided twine in a metal tube that I have dipped in wax as a long fire starter it will burn for hours, it has never melted in the car where I keep my emergency fire kit. That is also coated in canning wax.
@mannihh5274
Жыл бұрын
@@kokopelau6954 - I indeed use a quite soft wax from "eternity lights", used in graveyards, they already melt in your hand. Beeswax and other harder waxes get really hard and brittle in the cold and don't light well in winter, so I switched to softer wax. I'm still surprised that you never experienced melting, I once carried five firestarters waxed from ordinary candles side-to-side in a plastic bag in my ruck during a sunny fall day and they all were melted together to one solid block at the end of the day. We also had to switch to plastic LED-candle-lights for outdoors, because real wax candles with a LED-light insert always bend and looked crooked alfter a while. But however, everyone should use what works best for him. As I said, the charring of the tip has of course to be done before dipping it in wax, so it's waterproof. But igniting charred material is a lot easier - I could never get a fire started with a lens until I first charred the tinder.
@deekelley891
Жыл бұрын
I soak cotton balls in mineral oil and carry them in any container I want-and my experiment shows they last longer than Vaseline and I just pour it in, so no mess.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Interesting. I've experimented with olive oil but not mineral oil 🤔 thanks for your comment!
@nagaviper1169
Жыл бұрын
@@wildnessoutdoors I have some cotton balls soaked in Olive oil. Works very well.
@gordonlawrence1448
Жыл бұрын
Vaseline and cotton wool balls have other uses too though.
@redpillnibbler4423
Жыл бұрын
I’ll try that.I’ve read baby oil also works well.
@QuantumPyrite_88.9
8 ай бұрын
Someone needed to make a video showing this method and thanks for doing it. All the best in all future endeavors and Happy Holiday Season.
@wildnessoutdoors
8 ай бұрын
Thanks 😁 You too!!
@paulathomason1021
4 ай бұрын
I found the best straws are "milk shake" straws for making these waterproof firestarters.
@wildnessoutdoors
4 ай бұрын
I get mine from eBay or Amazon 😁
@corleyoutdoors2887
Жыл бұрын
Nice upgrade!
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Thanks my dude!!
@Jakoshdw
Жыл бұрын
Nothing beats mother nature for fire starters. Why make something when you can get fatwood/fatlighter. Resinous pine wood collected from the stump of a dead pine. All natural...waterproof... good for many fires... never goes bad. Can even be purchased on Amazon if you don't have any dead pines in your immediate area. Just get a stick of fatwood, drill a hole in one end, add a lanyard of jute rope (waxed or not). You can cut off a little jute rope to pull apart into a birds nest and then scrap a pile of fatwood shavings into the center of it. Starts with spark from a ferro rod or flame from a match or lighter. (Or ember blown to to flame from solar, flint and steel, or other primitive methods.) In the event a emergency fire is required you can even burn several fatwood sticks for a hot flame that will last for awhile.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
I use natural resources when available. Each to their own! Thanks for watching 😁
@SM_zzz
Жыл бұрын
You sound like a man who knows his way around a molotov! Jokes aside, thanks for taking the time to make the video.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
I'll take that as a compliment.... I think 🤔 😆 thanks for watching 😁
@terryashton9213
Жыл бұрын
Excellent Buddy. many ways to skin a cat so to speak. I have been packing as many as I can into a plastic 35 mm film canister, which are always free from any camera shop. And they are about as waterproof as you can get. I really do like these being individually packaged as you have done. Next time at the Dollar Store, I will have to see if I can find some larger drinking straws as you have. During a down pour, it is always possible but more difficult to find dry fire starter material. And I have always liked the fact, as you mentioned, that these can have a rather long burn time.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Yes I agree there's usually something dry in a downpour if you look hard enough, and feathersticks are always an option. But having a reliable waterproof option is always wise. Thanks for feedback.
@13noman1
Жыл бұрын
Superb hack and clear demonstration --- thanks! BTW, where'd you get that lighter?
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Thanks 😊 it's a Soto Micro Torch, really good piece of kit, defo recommended 👌
@FiglioBastardo
Жыл бұрын
That's pretty simple and genius. I like it and will use the idea!
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching and commenting 😊
@mikelastname3498
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing, will definitely be trying this.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Good luck! Thanks for watching 😊
@joeyoung3319
Жыл бұрын
Indeed, the straw idea is a winner.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching 😁
@murrayandru7527
Жыл бұрын
In todays daily life you may have some hand Sanitizer kicking around ! I buy the small $ store container of them and put some in each Vehicle , glove box , Pack and first aide kit I have . Squirt some of that on a tinder bundle and lite in up. Works every time .FYI
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Yeah gets the job done! Thanks for watching!
@KiwiChambers
Жыл бұрын
Nice demo on that mate
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Thanks mate!
@jamesthornton3339
Жыл бұрын
I also use a straw to hold a sewing needle in my repair kit. Keeps the sharp end protected.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Good thinking! Thanks for sharing 😊
@welditmick
Жыл бұрын
Put the cotton/vaseline on some duck tape twice as long as the width and fold it over. To use just cut a cross shape on one side and peel back a bit and light - Job done. They are fully waterproof and you can stash them anywhere.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Sounds great, personally I prefer the shape and size of straws. Thanks for feedback 😀
@redpillnibbler4423
Жыл бұрын
That’s clever,the duck tape also burns really well.
@user-gn5uy6lx7z
Жыл бұрын
A lot of people didn't know about using straws to hold various, small quantities of ( whatever), and they are waterproof. You can take lighter fluid, kerosene, and pretty much
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
They're very versatile. Thanks for watching 😁
@williammaurer9450
Жыл бұрын
Best fire starter, simple, cheap, no brainer.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Definitely!! Thanks for watching 😁
@MountaineerOutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Wow that's amazing and definitely making. Gained a subscriber today. I will be featuring them on my channel as well and will definitely give you full credit. Awesome idea.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Thanks!! Will check out your channel and subscribe back. To be fair, I doubt I'm the first person to think of this method.
@llemmon
8 ай бұрын
If you slightly melt the ends they close up really well
@wildnessoutdoors
8 ай бұрын
I completely melt them 😁
@welty69
7 ай бұрын
I do something similar to this But I also mix in some magnesium shavings…… Just make sure it catches and stays lit pretty good
@wildnessoutdoors
7 ай бұрын
I've been meaning to try adding magnesium actually, thanks for reminding me! 😁
@Jason-fg4jr
Жыл бұрын
Pro tip throw a bunch of cotton balls into a bag they use a spoon to scope the lube out toss that into the bag and then mix or get some rubber gloves ... I'm just being a smart-ass don't take it personally thanks for sharing stay safe frosty and free buddy
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Haha thanks!
@bmj4052
12 күн бұрын
Really well done
@wildnessoutdoors
12 күн бұрын
Appreciate the kind comment!!
@dennisleighton2812
11 ай бұрын
While this is a great idea, and will work well, I'd like to put forward a simpler alternative. What you need: one tube of cotton make-up remover pads (100), one small bottle of Covid style hand sanitiser (Gel, not liquid), ten small Zip-loc bags. Divide the pads into ten batches of 10 pads each, and put each batch into a Zip-loc bag - nice and waterproof! That's it, done! To use, merely remove a pad, or possibly two, if conditions require, and rub a blob of sanitiser gel into each. Strike sparks with your ferro-rod and insert the burning pad/pads under your pre-prepared kindling bundle to get the fire going. If it seems to be burning out, ignite another pad to continue till burning. Normally, if the kindling is nice and dry, one pad will get the fire going easily. Before every outing, restock as needed. This method reduces the prep time to almost nothing, and is quick and easy at fire-making time. Of course one can use Vaseline too, but the gel ignites a bit easier. Guaranteed 100 fires! Let me know what you think. Cheers mate.
@wildnessoutdoors
11 ай бұрын
Yeah excellent system man!! Thanks for watching 😁
@chromenewt1691
4 ай бұрын
Fantastic idea! Thank you 👍🏻👍🏻
@wildnessoutdoors
4 ай бұрын
You're welcome, thanks for watching 😁
@j.p.4541
5 ай бұрын
Thank you for the video, very informative. I learned something new today.
@wildnessoutdoors
5 ай бұрын
Glad to hear it, thanks!
@smartliketruck
Жыл бұрын
Change out the petroleum jelly for petroleum jelly based antibiotic salve like polysporin for further functionality.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Not a bad idea at all. Thanks for watching 👀
@ericwilliams3413
Жыл бұрын
I use a 50/50 mix of petroleum jelly and wax. Burns a good long while, nice big hot flame, and not as messy as just jelly
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Nice. You melt the wax and jelly together first you mean?
@jimtalor9537
Жыл бұрын
Great video hope you do more vids! Like your ideas!
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Thanks! Loads more videos planned!
@KingTesticus
Жыл бұрын
Nice. I'm totally stealing this 🌞
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Haha go for it!
@THESUPREMESUPERGOD
Жыл бұрын
Wow! A grown man alone in the woods with a jar of Vaseline😂
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Officer, I can explain everything lolol
@russell2952
6 ай бұрын
I wrap mine with wax paper and twist the ends like a hard candy. The wax paper takes a spark easily.
@wildnessoutdoors
6 ай бұрын
Nice idea!
@philjohnston7920
Жыл бұрын
I had the same idea but with isopropyl hand sanitizer. Give that a try. I just soak the cotton balls then light them
@Paleotech1
Жыл бұрын
Burns too quickly and evaporates if the seal,is compromised in any way.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Yeah I agree with Paleotech. I've tried hand sanitiser and rolls of tissue paper without great results. Never tried cotton balls though. Thanks for watching!
@rockydog523
Жыл бұрын
I like it, but not a fan of burning plastic. But it's a small amount and means that the throwaway straw won't end up in a landfill. Good job.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Won't end up in the oceans either. Thanks for watching 😁
@tcarr1
Жыл бұрын
I used cardboard with wax: cut long piece of cardboard about 1" (2.5cm) wide, large soup can. Roll up strip and lay on bottom of can. Melt wax and pour over cardboard until covered, let cool completely. You can heat bottom of can enough to release waxed coil and dump out your wax-permeated cardboardthats about the size of a roll of electrical tape. To use, peel off however much waxy cardboard you need, lights easy, burns well!
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Cool idea!
@Arcane1954
Жыл бұрын
Dryer lint and grease from cooking meat. Put the lint in a cardboard egg carton, add the grease, and cut into sections. Job done and what was waste now has use.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Great idea!
@YouTuber-mc2el
5 ай бұрын
How about using a large hypodermic syringe to inject the jelly. Than a cotton ball followed by another injection of jelly . Seal and then you could knead the tube to thoroughly combine the two. Same end product with no mess.
@wildnessoutdoors
5 ай бұрын
Could work... sounds like more effort though lol 😆 thanks for watching
@TimeSurfer206
Жыл бұрын
My favorite firestarter is a bag of plain Ruffles or Doritos. I use a few to start the fire, and have a snack. I, too, am fond of the Ferro Rod. Especially when it's in a Bic.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
I'd only end up eating them all 🤣🤣
@TimeSurfer206
Жыл бұрын
@@wildnessoutdoors That's why I do plain. Sour Cream and Chives would never last.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Lmao 🤣 🤣
@hArtyTruffle
Жыл бұрын
Never seen this before. Great tip. Thanks 👍🏼
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Thanks 😊
@deanoboland
Жыл бұрын
Great work on video mate 👍👍
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Thanks 😊
@edi9892
Жыл бұрын
You know, in the old days, before plastics were a thing, waxed paper was used to make things waterproof... That stuff could be considered tinder as well...
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Never tried it to be honest. Thanks for watching 😁
@redpillnibbler4423
Жыл бұрын
I recommend Hammaro fire lighting paper,specially made for the job,it’s brilliant stuff.
@edi9892
Жыл бұрын
@@redpillnibbler4423 Good to know. I thought that it was just a historical anecdote and potential DIY project...
@oldschool6798
Жыл бұрын
Back in the 1970’s we would place our Vaseline-saturated cotton balls in old 35mm film containers for use when we went camping ….today, you can find the film containers on EBay.
@wildnessoutdoors
Жыл бұрын
I'm old enough to remember film containers!
@dennisyoung4631
Жыл бұрын
A *possible* substitute might be the containers “blood glucose testing strips” come in. (Ask a diabetic?) They’re a bit smaller than the old screw-on-lid 35mm film canisters I recall from my childhood.
@markcocks5295
Жыл бұрын
I use small plastic vitamin bottles. The old film containers were very useful though - my earplugs are in one.
@oldschool6798
Жыл бұрын
@@markcocks5295 that’s a great idea for ear plugs on the job, thanks for the tip.
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