So, as we probably all know, lighters and matches aren’t the only items to start a fire.
In fact, there’s a multitude of other unusual items (most of which you can probably find in your house right now) that can start a fire that you don’t even know about.
Get ready to see your ordinary household items in a brand new light (and to see your survival kit expand as a result!).
Note: Before we start, did you know magnesium is an excellent tool for starting fires? We’ve got a magnesium survival tool that our customers are raving about right here.
Unusual Ways To Start A Fire
1 – Condoms
Let’s face it – condoms have a multitude of survival uses; after all, you can use them as a water bladder, you can store survival gear (or tinder) in them when it’s raining, and you can use them as slingshots. But did you know condoms can also be used as fire starters?
For one, they make excellent tinder. If you’ve got a lighter to get the fire going, condoms will burn instantly and keep burning for minutes while you finish building your fire.
However, what if you don’t have a lighter on you (or any other ignition source for that matter)? All hope is not lost – with a condom and a stick, you can create your own thumb loop hand drill.
Here’s a video explaining the process:
2 – Cell Phone + Steel Wool
That’s right – by just using an ordinary cell phone and a bit of steel wool, you can ignite a fire in seconds.
Watch this:
3 – Gum Wrapper + Battery
You’ll want to use a gum wrapper that’s made out of foil (not paper) for this one. The trick is to have your tinder ready to go; although the fire ignites quickly, it also burns out quickly – so be prepared.
Also, you can use aluminum foil if you don’t have any gum wrappers on hand.
Here’s a visual of how it works:
4 – Brake fluid + Chlorine
This is best used when you have a lot of tinder and want to make a HUGE fire in a hurry (you’ll see why in a minute).
If you don’t have chlorine on-hand, you can always use chlorine powder (or get some tablets and grind them into a powder). Then, just combine with brake fluid, add to the tinder and stand back…
5 – Aluminum Can + Chocolate Bar
Take a soda can and rub chocolate on the bottom of it; then, wipe it off with a rag or piece of paper, buffing it as you go. Repeat this process until the bottom of the can shines and you can see your reflection in it.
Note: Don’t eat the chocolate afterward! Due to the can’s chemicals the chocolate may have become toxic.
Find a spot where you want to build your fire, and make sure it has direct sunlight shining on it.
Gather your tinder onto the site, and then reflect the sun beam off the bottom of the can and onto the tinder. You should see smoke start to appear as the fire ignites. Once you see smoke, start building your fire.
Here’s what I’m talking about:
6 – Fresnel Lens + Paper
That’s right – you can start a fire with nothing more than a fresnel lens and some dark-colored paper. Essentially, you’re going to be using the sun’s rays to bounce off the lens and onto the paper (much like the soda can method in #5).
Once the paper starts smoking, lightly puff air onto it; then, wave the paper in the air to get it circulating over the smoke. Before too long, you’ll have a fire.
Check out this video to see how it works:
7 – A Lemon + Copper Clips + Zinc Nails + Wire + Steel Wool
Here’s my favorite out of all of them; it’s the most unexpected way (in my opinion) to get the job done, and it’s likely to impress your friends.
Learn how to start a fire with a lemon here:
There you have it! 7 unusual ways to start a fire. These methods are really cool, relatively easy and are great for situations when you don’t have a lighter or matches around.
However, if you don’t have an ignition source around and don’t have the time to mess around with cans or lemons or lenses to try to start a fire (or you just don’t want the hassle), here’s one of the coolest gadgets we’ve got to get your fire burning: we call it The Survival Fire Stick .
This nifty gadget is small enough to fit in your pocket, but don’t let its tiny size fool you – inside it has the power to ignite a 3,000° fire at your fingertips.
Unlike matches, this baby will work in any weather, and its rock-hard durable plastic covering will keep it virtually indestructible for years.
Think of it – you can start campfires, cook food, keep yourself warm, and see intruders in the dark…all for the cost of one tiny compact tool.
Speaking of cost, did you know we’re having a sale on our fire starter selection? That’s right – today you can purchase this “hot” little device for 12% off.
Is it worth it? Donna T. seemed to think so – she purchased one and took the trouble to write this review of the Survival Fire Stick on our site:
Its compact, useful, crucial!! Why wouldn’t anyone want one of these.
So you can go out and buy a box of matches that won’t outlast the rain (or you can go out and buy a lemon), but when it comes to durability, strength and practicality (especially in a survival situation), this fire starter is by far your best bet.
Click here or on the pictures below to get yours:
