Emergency fire, best flammable liquid?

peripatew

peripatew

Joined
Jul 31, 2007
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I was playing in the rain with my son today, when we decided to make a fire! It worked fine, but we were in a hurry to I used some denatured alcohol to give it a boost. And this worked very well, on some wet, but split dry wood. Are there other flammable liquids that would work better. Something that wouldn't evaporate, that ignites easily, and burns hot?

Just curious for an emergency fire starting method. I've used Coleman fuel as well in the past, but it (and likely most fuels?) is dangerous when below freezing since it has a low freezing point.

Thanks for the input!

L
 
Flammable liquids are kind of a double-edged sword. The better their characteristics for fire starting also make them the most dangerous. The properties you would look for would be a low flashpoint (the lowest temperature at which a flammable liquid gives off enough vapor to burn), low boiling point and high vapor pressure. Gasoline meets these criteria (flashpoint - 45F). Class 1A flammable liquids like pentane or carbon disulfide would be even better but are extremely dangerous. A point to remember is that all flammable and combustible liquids are toxic and most have vapor densities heavier than air and can create explosive atmospheres even if unconfined. They are not generally my first choice for fire starting. I don't know if that helps or not.
 
Try to find something you don't mind carrying even if you're not going to use it for fire. WD40 should work for instance.
 
Diesel.

Low backflash (that WHOOOMP that knocks you on your azz), easy starting (spark or flame) , slow evaporation rate compared to gasoline, which allows for longer burn time and more seepage into the wood. I always carry 10 liters of diesel in my truck when i'm in the woods. sometimes you just want a fast starting fire or you have nothing but soaked wood and dont have time to break out the ax to split wood. Also for rapid firestarting for emergencies, like signalling - keep wood piled up (or tires) wait for the plane to fly nearby , douse pile with diesel and light. Instant black smoke and fire.

other times i carry 100's of liters of diesel.......for getting massive slash piles going.
 
I carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer that is basically pure alcohol. Couple squirts into some tinder works great.
 
DEET mosquito repellent, 45% and higher works pretty well. Smelly, but burns of quickly enough. Cmndr and I tried the hand sanitizer and that worked pretty nicely too!
 
Diesel, kerosene, and similar materials are good choices for warm weather because they are less volatile and therefore safer, but they won't work in very cold weather. These materials are not flammable, they are combustible liquids and have high flashpoints. If you are caught outside in very cold weather, they won't readily ignite, it will be too cold for them to generate vapor....
 
seems to work fine here on the Wet Coast of BC in winter........its how we got the fires going for noon warm up and coffee after falling trees.

How cold before it does'nt work???
 
Thanks for the suggestions, I'm thinking more alone the lines of taking something with the sole purpose as an emergency firestarter. As in I dumped a canoe in freezing water and need to heat up fast!
 
When I start my pellet stove I use firestarter gel.
This stuff is...well...gel. I guess you could pour a some in a little squezze bottle and put it in your pack for emergencies. It lights very easy and burns great!!!
 
Cohglans fire paste, availiable at REI, walmart and probably other general type stores, it isn't a liquid, but it doesn't evaporate and burns like nothin else!
 
I second the Zippo fluid along with candles. I always have a handfull of candles in my pack. Good for fire starting, light when you need it, and so on. I clip and inch or so from the bottom of a candle and put the piece in with the kindling, then use the business end of the candle as a match. The portion in with the kindling melts and helps the fire along. Not especially speedy but works good.
 
talked to a guy who carries a tube of liquid nails adhesive says it burns great, i have not had time to try this out.

alex
 
peripatew said:
Thanks for the suggestions, I'm thinking more alone the lines of taking something with the sole purpose as an emergency firestarter. As in I dumped a canoe in freezing water and need to heat up fast!
Click to expand...

You mentioned cold weather. If you are carrying a stove, white gas is generally the best cold weather stove there is. I am not recommending using it straight from the bottle, because of the danger and the flash, but here is a little tip.

Carry a couple popsicle sticks in your kit. For a great fire starter, drop one in your fuel bottle for about 10 seconds. Works great, is much safer, and keeps you from carrying a more bulky or "special" item for that purpose.

Just one idea.

B
 
Neosporin.

It's basically Vaseline. If you don't feel like carrying cotton balls, I have torn a chunk of t-shirt off on the spot, worked in the neo for 15 seconds and POOF! instant firestarter. Comes in little packets called "neo-to-go" Very convenient.
 
gruntinhusaybah said:
Cohglans fire paste, availiable at REI, walmart and probably other general type stores, it isn't a liquid, but it doesn't evaporate and burns like nothin else!
Click to expand...

aahhhh... beat me to it ! :D

That or any flammable adhesive that comes in a tube, modeling cement comes to mind. Might have to protect from freezing in very cold temps though...

Hand sanitizer is one which can serve double duty and can be found in small containers for a pack or PSK.
I carry this stuff on duty all the time but sweeten it up a bit by adding some straight Isopropyl alcohol to boost the % up. Would work very well for starting a fire if needed.
 
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