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Fire Starters

Best Fire Starters for Emergencies

Starting a fire is an essential skill but sometimes we need just a little help to get the thing going. Fire starters help do just that. This makes them an important, if not essential, part of our emergency preparedness inventory.

With fire, having multiple ignition methods is critical. Don’t rely on any one method, especially if you were to run out of matches or lighter fuel.

Four things are needed to make a fire: spark, tinder, kindling, and of course firewood. It really comes down to the ignition source, the resulting spark that ignites the tinder, and the kindling taking over until the firewood starts to burn on its own. Each one of these steps is important to build a strong, sustaining fire.

Ignition Sources

Matches & Lighters

Stick matches are widely available and simple to use. Store matches in a Ziploc bag to keep them dry and consider waterproof options for added reliability.

Disposable lighters cost less than refillable ones, though refillable lighters are often favored for their longer-lasting performance.

Ferrocerium (Ferro) Rod

Ferro rods are popular and reliable. They work by producing sparks when a sharp edge (such as a knife) is used to scrape off tiny, flammable shavings from the rod. These sparks can ignite dry tinder, helping to start a fire.

Fresnel Lens

A Fresnel lens focuses sunlight on a small point. By placing the lens between the sun and dry tinder, you can concentrate the sunlight to quickly ignite the material—provided the sunlight is strong and the lens is properly focused.

Tinder & Kindling

Tinder

Tinder is used to ignite fire. It takes the ignition source and turns it into a flame. It’s important because it ignites much more quickly than large pieces of wood. Tinder is small and made from easily combustible material such as dry grass, leaves, or dried pine needles. Due to its fine nature, tinder is not effective for use as kindling.

Kindling

Kindling feeds off the ignited tinder and provides the fuel necessary to sustain the fire until the main source of firewood starts to burn. It tends toward thicker materials like branches or other small pieces of wood. Insta-Fire can also be used as a great source of kindling.

DIY Fire Starter

Using Pinecones

Pinecones are readily available in wooded areas and are biodegradable. You can gather your own or purchase them online. Make sure they are unvarnished before you buy them.

Kindling Boost

Dipping pinecones in melted wax is a simple way to boost their fire-starting ability. The wax acts as a fuel extender, allowing the pinecones to burn longer and hotter, which helps ignite larger logs.

Learn how to create DIY Fire Starters: Using Pinecones.

How much do I need?

Many of our emergency preps rely on our ability to start a fire. Redundancy is key—use multiple fire-starting methods to ensure you can light a fire even if you run out of matches or lighter fuel. A ferro rod and Fresnel lens, along with quality tinder and kindling, will ensure that you can start a fire when you need to.

Check these stores for availability. Amazon

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more about using fire starters to aid emergency fuel.

  • Fire starters help ignite fires quickly and reliably, which is crucial during emergencies when warmth, cooking, or signaling may be needed. Having reliable fire-starting methods ensures you're prepared even in wet or windy conditions.

  • Common and effective ignition sources include waterproof matches, disposable or refillable lighters, ferrocerium (ferro) rods, and Fresnel lenses. Each has unique benefits and should be part of a multi-method fire-starting plan.

  • Tinder is fine, easily combustible material (like dry grass or pine needles) that catches fire quickly. Kindling is slightly larger material like small sticks or twigs that sustains the flame until the firewood ignites.

  • Yes. A common DIY option is pinecones dipped in melted wax. The wax prolongs burn time, helping ignite larger fuel like logs. Be sure to use unvarnished pinecones and store them in a dry place.

  • Store enough materials to start multiple fires under different conditions. Keep a combination of ignition sources (matches, lighter, ferro rod), reliable tinder, and some kindling. Redundancy ensures you’re not caught unprepared.

  • Yes. Ferrocerium rods are very effective in wet or windy conditions, making them one of the most reliable ignition tools in emergency kits. Just ensure your tinder is dry enough to catch the spark.