Handy campfire tip...maybe?

[hydman]

It just occurred to me that something I've been doing at home for quite a while might just work when I'm out camping. I use the hand sanitizer gel (60+% alcohol) to light my pellet stove. Why wouldn't it work to light campfires. It burns very nicely, burns for a couple of minutes, doesn't really flare to much when lighting, doesn't go out when my blower hits it so it should be somewhat wind resistant, and doesn't leave a bad smell on your hands. We all carry it so maybe it's worth a try.

[swanny]

If it works it's good. For me I use woodchips from a chainsaw and wax. I use a small wax cup filled about 1/2 way with wood chips.Then pour melted wax over the chips and let harden. Then fold the top of the cup closed. When needed unfold the cup light and it burned for about 15 - 20 minutes.

[junglejim]

I guess I do it the lazy way. Since I work construction I carry a 20lb. tank and a 500,000 btu torch at all times. I just throw a couple logs in and torch them on high for about a minute and there you go instant fire.

[bncinwv]

Fireplace starter blocks from Wally World here. They are small brick type waxen sawdust thingies that are about six inches long and a couple inches wide. Inflation has really hit them though, since in the last two years they have doubled in price, from 33 cents to about 70 cents now. I cut about an inch and a half off to start the fire, so I get four fires from each starter. A little over 18 cents per fire, I can live with that. Sounds like they are the commercial version of what Swanny is doing.
Bingo

[Wild Horse]

as a cabinetmaker, I have all kinds of sawdust then mix with wax..but then i found dryer lint ! same formula except i add a few drops of alcohol

[NCFischers]

When I had a wood stove, we would take pine cones and dry them a bit in the oven and then dip them in wax. Put one at the base of the logs and light it.

[PapaBeav]

I got a tip years ago from a friend that uses nothing more than cotton balls soaked in Vaseline and stored in a 35mm film container. I always carry one of these with me when I am out in the backwoods backpacking, hunting or just hiking. That and a lighter and you start a fire anywhere.

[ARJ]

Aw heck! 5 gallons of gas will do the job.

[NCFischers]

Army surplus flame thrower, Arrrrgggg.

[hydman]

And the best solution of all...let the grandkids do it.

[NCFischers]

Walt,
What are you trying to do, burn the campground down??

[Tom S.]

I love the smell of napalm in the morning...

[hydman]

I just tell the grandkids to be careful with the flame thrower, 5 gallons of gas, and the napalm. Then I go back inside to the TV. It's all cool.

[DonandJudy_12]

Doesn't anyone rub 2 sticks together anymore? Don

[Old_Marine]

OK OK---We do a lot of camping in the Washington State Parks. Down side during the summer is no camp fires, because of wild fire situation. However did find a work around cheat. Bought a propane camp fire. I know that I just made a myself into a very large target. However, we like to sit around a fire at night. A propane camp fire is a work around cheat and at the end of the night, shut it off and go to bed!

[Rondo]

Works good for me Tom! I haven't got one yet but may someday since as you say some areas you can't have the usual campfire and the propane units are a very good alternative especially if you like a campfire at night to sit around. They act the same and as long as you don't put the line throught the firering or put the tank to close to the fire, you're in good shape! I haved use several of the suggestions on fire starters however. I keep the container of vaseline(vicks works too) and cottonballs around and also have used the wax and woodchips in a paper cup idea. I haven't tried the sanitizer yet but see no reason it would not work since it is basicaly alcohol anyway!

[Bill-N-Donna]

The best thing I have found is to use wood that has been seasoned real well. Don’t ask me how I know that.

[simonsrf]

Charcoal lighter does just fine for us.

[bruiser]

I use old cedar shakes that have come off a roof. (I'm in the roofing business so I have easy access to these old shakes) They are well seasoned and dry and light up real easy. I have a box of them in my shop and take a few whenever I go camping. If you happen to be driving by a roofing crew removing a cedar roof I'm sure they will be happy to let you salvage as much as you want. This may not work in the south where wood roofs are not allowed.

[7.3Ford]

quote:Originally posted by Tom S.

I love the smell of napalm in the morning...

Napalm works really well, haven't used it since the 70's though.