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InstaFire™

InstaFire as Emergency Fuel for Cooking & Warmth

InstaFire can be used as a fire starter, but it is so much more. It is a patented, water-resistant blend of volcanic rock, wood pellets, and paraffin wax. It lights like a candle with no flare-ups and gradually grows in intensity. InstaFire lights with a match, lighter, magnesium striker, or any other heat source exceeding 425°F, the approximate minimum ignition temperature.

Use it as a fire starter or fuel source for emergency cooking and heating.

What devices can InstaFire fuel?

Indoors

InstaFire can be used in your fireplace and wood-burning stove with proper ventilation. It can also be used as a stand-alone fire source, with approximately one cup typically burning for about 30 minutes under standard conditions.

Outdoors

It can be used with any camp stove or grill (like a volcano grill) as a fire starter (for briquettes, etc.) or stand-alone fire source. It can be used inside a #10 can stove, open fire pit, or directly on the ground and even in the snow.

Product amount to burn time

  • ½ cup produces an 8-10-inch-high flame for 10-15 minutes
  • 1 cup will burn for 20–30 minutes, with occasional stirring to maintain an even burn, and can reach temperatures of nearly 1000°F; ensure proper ventilation for safe operation.
  • One cup will boil 2 cups of water in 10 minutes.
  • If you need a longer burn time, simply add more.

How much do I need?

Per person: A one 5-gallon bucket can supply enough fuel for 3 meals per day for 30 days. This works out to 1 cup of fuel per meal.

PROS
  • Safe for cooking - is designed to be used around food without producing harsh chemical fumes.
  • Used as kindling, provides a strong, steady flame to establish cooking fires - even when conditions aren’t ideal.
  • Helps dry out damp wood – its high, consistent heat output can drive moisture out of small pieces of wood and encourage a healthy draft in a firebox, chimney, or flue.
  • Non‑explosive and remains stable with proper storage conditions
  • All‑natural composition - made from volcanic rock, wood pellets, and paraffin — no harsh chemical accelerants.
  • Won’t taint food or cooking surfaces - burns cleanly and is safe to use with ceramic grills, smokers, and other cooking setups.
  • Works even when wet - the granules ignite reliably after exposure to moisture and can even float and burn on water.
LIMITATIONS
  • Needs brief wind protection during ignition - performs best when shielded from wind for the first 20–30 seconds. Once established, the flame is much more wind‑tolerant.
  • Granular texture can spill if the package tears - many users prefer to keep it in a secondary bag.
  • Bulkier than ultralight fire starters - takes up more space than compact tabs or cotton‑based tinder.
  • Not ideal for very small stoves or micro‑fire setups – the flame footprint is wider and hotter than what some tiny backpacking stoves are designed for.
  • Burn time depends on using the recommended amount - using too little can lead to shorter burn times than expected, especially in cold or damp conditions.
Use Requirements
  • Insta-Fire has no harmful chemicals and can be used both indoors and out, depending upon its use. Outdoors, it’s great for kindling both wood (wet or dry) and charcoal briquettes.
  • For indoor and outdoor use.
Storage Conditions
  • Store in a cool, dry place, ideally in an environment below 150°F (approximately 65°C) for optimal stability.
  • Note: At around 160°F (approximately 71°C), the paraffin may begin to melt, which can affect performance.
  • It can be stored safely indoors or outdoors as long as temperature guidelines are followed.
Shelf Life

Long-term storage is estimated at approximately 30 years.

InstaFire as an Emergency Fuel for Cooking & Warmth

InstaFire can be used as a fire starter, but it is so much more. It is a patented, water-resistant blend of volcanic rock, wood pellets, and paraffin wax. It lights like a candle with no flare-ups and gradually grows in intensity. InstaFire lights with a match, lighter, magnesium striker, or any other heat source exceeding 425°F, the approximate minimum ignition temperature.

Use it as a fire starter or fuel source for emergency cooking and heating.

What devices can InstaFire fuel?

Indoors

InstaFire can be used in your fireplace and wood-burning stove with proper ventilation. It can also be used as a stand-alone fire source, with approximately one cup typically burning for about 30 minutes under standard conditions.

Outdoors

It can be used with any camp stove or grill (like a volcano grill) as a fire starter (for briquettes, etc.) or stand-alone fire source. It can be used inside a #10 can stove, open fire pit, or directly on the ground and even in the snow.

Product amount to burn time

  • ½ cup produces an 8-10-inch-high flame for 10-15 minutes
  • 1 cup will burn for 20–30 minutes, with occasional stirring to maintain an even burn, and can reach temperatures of nearly 1000°F; ensure proper ventilation for safe operation.
  • One cup will boil 2 cups of water in 10 minutes.
  • If you need a longer burn time, simply add more.

How much do I need?

Per person: A one 5-gallon bucket can supply enough fuel for 3 meals per day for 30 days. This works out to 1 cup of fuel per meal.

PROS
  • Safe for cooking - is designed to be used around food.
  • Provides a strong, steady flame to establish cooking fires - even when conditions aren’t ideal.
  • Helps dry out damp wood – its high, consistent heat output can drive moisture out of small pieces of wood.
  • Non‑explosive and remains stable with proper storage conditions
  • All‑natural composition - no harsh chemical accelerants.
  • Won’t taint food or cooking surfaces - burns cleanly and is safe to use with ceramic grills, smokers, and other cooking setups.
  • Works even when wet and can even float and burn on water.
LIMITATIONS
  • Needs brief wind protection during ignition - performs best when shielded from wind for the first 20–30 seconds. Once established, the flame is much more wind‑tolerant.
  • Granular texture can spill if the package tears - many users prefer to keep it in a secondary bag.
  • Bulkier than ultralight fire starters - takes up more space than compact tabs or cotton‑based tinder.
  • Not ideal for very small stoves or micro‑fire setups – the flame footprint is wider and hotter than what some tiny backpacking stoves are designed for.
  • Burn time depends on using the recommended amount - using too little can lead to shorter burn times than expected, especially in cold or damp conditions.
Use Requirements
  • Insta-Fire has no harmful chemicals and can be used both indoors and out, depending upon its use. Outdoors, it’s great for kindling both wood (wet or dry) and charcoal briquettes.
  • For indoor and outdoor use.
Shelf Life

Long-term storage is estimated at approximately 30 years.
Storage Conditions
  • Store in a cool, dry place, ideally in an environment below 150°F (approximately 65°C) for optimal stability.
  • Note: At around 160°F (approximately 71°C), the paraffin may begin to melt, which can affect performance.
  • It can be stored safely indoors or outdoors as long as temperature guidelines are followed.
Shelf Life

Long-term storage is estimated at approximately 30 years.

Equipment That Uses InstaFire

Would you like to use Instafire™ as backup fuel? Learn more about InstaFire-compatible equipment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more about using InstaFire as emergency fuel.