Fire starters are an invaluable camping tool. These devices often come in handy when you need to make a quick fire to prepare dinner, boil drinking water, or simply keep warm. You can also rely on them to scare away potentially dangerous animals, especially when camping in remote wildlife ecosystems.
Besides their primary function of generating fires, some fire starters provide additional utility.
This article will look at the top five innovative ways to use fire starters. The post shall highlight the various ways you can use these devices to make a campfire before delving into additional functionalities that aren’t necessarily tied to fire making.
Read on and be inspired.
1. Use Fire Starters to Make Fires
Creating fires is the fundamental purpose of fire starters. However, various innovative ways exist to deploy these tools in making fires.
When shopping for fire starters, campers often have to choose between the two most popular options – flint rocks and ferro rods.
Flint rocks stand out for their ease of use. These fire starters come with a steel striker you hit to produce fire whenever required. The steel accompaniment also lasts fairly long, although it’s not as durable as ferro rods.
Ferro rod fire starters can produce thousands of sparks, enough to last several camping trips. The rods generate sparks hot enough to ignite even wet wood, reducing the need for kindling. They’re reliable when camping in damp conditions.
Besides the traditional flint rocks and ferro rods, we now have more innovative fire starters like the Pull Start Fire Starter.
True to its name, the Pull Start Fire Starter works by a pull mechanism. It comes with a red string that you yank to generate a fire.
This tool produces flames 2.5 times hotter than most fire starters. It can also burn for up to 40 minutes, long enough to ignite the dampest wood. Moreover, the fire starter can withstand windy conditions of 200+ mph.
There are plenty of other innovative ways to start a fire, including using a magnifying glass. The limit is only your imagination.
2. Use Fire Starters to Light up Your Camping Site
Camping in remote locations is undoubtedly thrilling. However, the experience isn’t without its fair share of danger.
You could be enjoying restful sleep at night when suddenly awakened by unsettling sounds. Before you know it, the camping site has been overrun by venomous serpents.
In such scenarios, survival relies heavily on one’s ability to navigate the dark. That’s where the right fire starters can come in handy.
Some fire starters are designed to burn for several minutes, illuminating otherwise dark conditions. The tools can be an invaluable ally in helping you escape to safer locations.
3. Use Fire Fighters to Signal Rescuers to Your Location
As mentioned, camping trips don’t always turn out as expected. One common pitfall is losing your bearing in the middle of nowhere. Indeed, cases abound of campers who vanished without a trace.
When you can’t pinpoint your location in the wild, your first instinct might be to light a fire using your fire starter. The smoke produced can be a reliable indicator, signaling rescuers to your present location. But that’s not all.
Some fire starters come with built-in whistles. The whistle can save the day if the conditions aren’t perfect for creating an outdoor fire. Simply blow it to reveal your location.
A compass and signal mirror are other useful navigation tools you can find in modern fire starters.
4. Use Fire Starters as a Keychain
Many fire starter manufacturers now include keychains in their products.
A keychain is an essential everyday carry (EDC) item that lets you organize your keys. The tool is particularly important when camping with multiple sets of keys, including your house and caravan keys. Knowing that you can account for all your keys anytime provides peace of mind.
Many keychains also come with additional utilities. For instance, you can use tools such as a nail clipper, pill case, lighter, bottle opener, and address book…all rolled into one.
If you prefer to pack small when camping, a fire starter with a built-in keychain is a must-have tool.
5. Use Fire Starters as a Tactical Knife
This is arguably the most innovative way to deploy a fire starter.
Certain high-end fire starters double as combat tactical knives and can significantly improve your chances of survival in the wild. Depending on the tool’s construction, you could use it to cut twigs, slice meat, and trim various camping materials.
Steel-based fire starters are a top recommendation for fire starters that function as survival knives. The metal is incredibly durable and can slice through the hardest surfaces.
Remember to proceed cautiously when deploying a fire starter as a combat knife. Experts recommend holding the tool by the handle to minimize physical injuries.
The Bottom Line
Fire starters aren’t made equal. These camping tools vary in design, technology, and range of applications. Therefore, extensive research is paramount when scouting for the right firestarter for your next camping trip.
Check if the device has additional perks besides helping you make a fire.
Investing in a fire starter that performs various other functions reduces the need to bring gear to your camping trip. Besides, a multi-functional fire starter can be cost-effective in the long run.