Cheap Fire Starters

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Starting a fire using a fire starter is one of the most practical ways to get your campfire roaring in no time. Whether you are car camping or deep in the backcountry, you can make very cheap, lightweight, and effective fire starters from stuff you probably have laying around the house.

1. Cottonballs soaked in vaseline is my personal favorite for starting fires. This is a very effective, very lightweight solution that you can carry with you anywhere, no matter how far or how ultralight you go. All you need to do is light the wad, and you have a very even, hot, long burning flame.

Cottonballs soaked in vaseline is my personal favorite for starting fires.

2. Lint from your dryer is another very lightweight firestarter. You can also dip this into some vaseline, but usually if you keep it dry, will give you a decent flame.

3. Stick matches in the ridges in a piece of cardboard, and coat the whole thing in paraffin wax. (Paraffin is also a great thing to use for waterproofing matches!)

3. Firestarters from Wal Mart or outdoor store. These work ok. I have noticed that if they are moist, sometimes don't stay burning all too well. Personally for me, not worth the couple bux they charge. A bag of cotton and tub of vaseline will last for 100s of fires.