Originally posted by Efraim:
I taught a class on this at our Winter FTX . If you are considering binary components (i.e. 9v and steel wool) you're alot better off with potassium permanganate and antifreeze. Makes a hell of a flame as an exothermic reaction. Plus pp can be used to make an astringent solution or purify water.
Though I have seen bonfires started in the pouring rain with a road flare. Efraim:
I use the PP and sugar for fire starting, but am wondering about the antifreeze. I have to assume that this is straight antifreeze and not the 50% diluted as used in a radiator. Is it possible that it is actually the glyserin(sp) in the antifreeze that helps ignite the PP? If so, wouldn't it be better to carry just that?
I used a road flare to start a fire during a winter campout. Temperatures dropped lower than expected. Actual temps were about -15 while the windchill was -31.
I amases me that we have all or these different methods of starting a fire. I show my scouts several different methods to start a fire, but I always come back to the best method; use a match or a lighter. Carry those with you and you shouldn't have any problems lighting a fire. Carry some tinder with you so that you have something that burns a little longer in case it's wet.
