When you're in a wilderness situation, you're going to need a fire at some point. A fire is a necessity for cooking, signaling, keeping warm, and it can boost morale. So you need to know how to make one in a pinch. Sometimes, you have to use whatever you have on hand, and fortunately, there are a lot of different ways to make a fire.
In this article, we'll discuss three of the most accessible ways to start a fire in a pinch. First, we'll start with the classic method of rubbing two sticks together and ways you can improve it. Then, we'll discuss actually having a fire starter on hand. And finally, we'll talk about using a battery and steel wool.
1
Use The Stick Rubbing Method
One of the oldest ways in history is to rub sticks together. This is a method that takes patience and effort, and it can be hard to start the fire. But it can be done. What causes the fire to start this way is found in the friction that you create by rubbing the sticks together. Get enough friction going, and it causes a spark. The kind of wood that you use matters; you can't use wood that's damp because it'll never spark. You have to use wood that's completely dry.
A couple of ways to help get a fire started this way is through the use of a fire plow, which is creating a trough in one stick and rubbing another stick rapidly back and forth in the trough. You can also use a fire bow, which is a method using a curved branch with twine or other material attached that you rub against a board or another branch.
2
Have A Fire Starter On Hand
One of the easiest methods is to have a fire starter on hand. One of the popular kinds is magnesium. These are usually lightweight bars of some type that you use with a striker to create a spark.
There are also chemical fire starters such as potassium permanganate. Keep in mind, though, that this method is combustible. Other fire starters include things like cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly. There are solar fire starters as well, which use the sun's energy to start a fire by causing sparks to erupt when focused.
3
Utilize Steel Wool And Batteries
Another easy method to use when creating a fire in a pinch, which is also a fast way, is to use a battery and some steel wool. The type of battery that you use can vary, so you can just use whatever you have on hand, including a cell phone battery if you have one that's useless for communication.
You want to flatten out the steel wool a little. Some people hold the steel wool in the palm of their hands. Make sure that you have on a sturdy pair of gloves to protect your skin if you do that. With the contact points on the battery facing down toward the steel wood, you want to rub it back and forth quickly. The steel wool will smoke, spark, and then you'll see a small flame. Immediately put the wool onto the prepared kindling.
Now, you know the three most accessible ways of fire starting. First, we talked about rubbing two sticks together and how it could be given a boost. Then, you learned about the uses of having a fire starter on hand. Lastly, we taught you how to use a battery and steel wool.
If you're going to be in the wilderness, there's a good chance that you'll need a fire eventually. It's vital for cooking, signaling, keeping warm, and even boosting morale. Now, you'll be prepared with some ways to start fires even when you weren't quite expecting it.
Tags: starting a fire; ways of fire starting; starting a fire with a battery and steel wool; fire starters
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