Open Source Fire Starter

Basics

• This page goes over the various DIY “fire starters” in an aim to make a high quality open source standardized design
• By “Fire Starter” this page means the sort of processed tinder/solid fuel used to “get a fire going”, not the lighters themselves, although Fire Starters with Integrated Ignition Mechanisms are interesting and worth noting
• Via a google search “Fire Starters” seems to be the better term, but “Firestarters” will also be used interchangeably

Existing Off The Shelf Options

Tumbleweeds

• A bit wild that these exist, but essentially peeled wood/wood shavings made into a ball
• Just make a ball of Paper Waste/ Dryer Lint or make a Fuzz Stick (Fire Starter)  !

“Fuel Bricks”

• Either cubes, bricks, or other shapes of a mix of Solid Fuel such as Sawdust , Paper Pulp , Coconut Choir etc held together by some binder
• Starch can be used, but often Paraffin Wax is used

Pure Fuel

• Either Hexamene Fuel Cubes or Jellied Alcohol

Coconut Bomb

• An expensive but cute little design stylized as a sort of mix of a coconut and old school “pirate cannon bomb shell”
• Burns well and has an integrated wick

Self Igniting

• Sone have integrated Safety Matches or Storm Matches
• One has some sort of pull cord start
  • It’s probably just an enclosed match type thing, but very goofy
  • ’’in theory’’ it’s so that you can ignite it after putting a pile of wood on top, but it still ends up being very looney tunes-esque
  • It’s a bit impractical/wasteful but some have suggested that Road Flares could be used for a similar use

Existing DIY/OS Designs

• Shove video links here but basically compact fuel powder of choice into muffin pan or similar mold, then pour in paraffin wax
  • Most use storebought “Gulf Wax” but 1kg or more via online is probably going to reduce costs a good bit (aimed at candlemaking typically)