Outdoor survival
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Use a charcoal chimney starter with crumpled newspaper instead of lighter fluid.
It avoids the taste of lighter fluid on meat and produces red-hot charcoal.
one person who lived it
Batone a knife through wet wood to split it into quarters and expose the dry core for fire starting.
This exposes the dry interior even if the outside is wet from rain.
one person who lived it
Soak lint fire starters in Vaseline to extend their burn time.
Plain lint burns up quickly and may burn out before larger wood catches.
one person who lived it
Use marshmallows as fuel in windy conditions.
They burn hard and last long enough to allow you to add more wood.
one person who lived it
Build a 'house' structure for the fire, starting small and leaving space for air circulation.
Allowing air to get in helps the fire roar instantly.
one person who lived it
Light tissue-wrapped lint fire starters at the ends to initiate a slow burn.
The wax provides a slow burn that lasts longer than non-waxed alternatives.
one person who lived it
Soak cotton balls in Vaseline or petroleum jelly to create lightweight fire starters that burn hot and long enough to get a fire going in poor conditions.
3 people, independently
Apply nail polish to match heads to waterproof them.
It prevents accidental rubbing off and does not require scraping before striking.
one person who lived it
Save dryer lint in a watertight container like a ziplock bag or film canister for use as a campfire starter.
- Be careful with dry and flammable materials.
3 people, independently