Best Overall
Superior Trading Co. All-Natural Fire Starter
Runner-up
Lightning Nuggets Fire-Starting Nuggets
Best Bang for the Buck
Rutland Safe Lite Fire Starter Squares
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Fire starters make it easy for anyone to start out a roaring fire . Rather than suffer to wrestle with damp Sir Henry Wood or crumple - up newspapers to get the first flames going , user can utilise a flack starter to accomplish this with a individual match or the flick of a lighter . The snap is that they ’re not all create every bit .
Some fervour newcomer resist out for their power to facilitate ignite a fire rapidly and effortlessly , while others are hard to light or wo n’t stay lit long enough to ignite a wood fire . We require to know which single were worth purchasing , so we tested them in our own fireplaces , chimineas , Ellen Price Wood - burning stoves , and firing pits . Ahead , we ’ll cover how the following products realize a station in our lineup of the best fervour starters .
How We Tested the Best Fire Starters
We considered a variety of factors when deciding which fire starters to test . We take starters that would burn long enough to conflagrate wood or fusain without need to add other ignitible materials , such as wadded - up paper or composition board . A fire newbie should also be easy to expend , so we chose option that unhorse easily with a match or lighter — with the exception of the ferro rod we test , which work a bit other than .
During our examination , we followed the manufacturer ’ didactics , come in one or two fervour starters as suggested and using them to start the recommended blast type . For many of the tests , we used a traditional hearth , but we also used a fire stone pit , a chiminea , and a wood - burning kitchen stove if the directions recommended using the fire newbie with those appliances . We also test a few fire starters to see how well they worked for unhorse charcoal — but only if they were list as safe to use for grill intellectual nourishment .
If a fire starter was advertised as raincoat , we dropped it in a trash of water and then attempted to illume it . We determined that many rainproof firing starters are n’t authentically waterproof but rather water - immune . In other Bible , they needed a little time to dry out before ignition .
We timed how long it took for a fire freshman to get fire from a catch or light , how marvelous its flames were , and how long it burned before extinguish . We come upon a ardour starter needed to remain lit for 5 to 9 minutes , at minimum , to fully ignite the rest of the Sir Henry Wood and enter a hearth .
The only fire starter we tested differently was the ferro rod , which is intended to erupt finely textured , extremely inflammable touchwood via sparks . We tested it on cotton fiber - fiber punk that was included with the rod , and then we work up up the fire with progressively large twigs and kindling .
During the testing form , we awarded point ground on how well each fire crank perform the job . After testing , we added and averaged the slews and liken packaging , prices , dimensions , and other ingredient to categorise the products for unlike coating .
Our Top Picks
In sum , we tested 15 different ardour starters : 12 small accelerant products , and three ferro gat that could fit into a pocket on a encampment or hiking misstep . Our main finish was to influence which blast starters performed the best in their relative categories . We did n’t test matches or lighter , but we did use them to perch the accelerant fire neophyte . Not every product we screen made the cut for this guidebook . Each of the product below realise a spot by being a top performer in our hands - on examination .
These Superior Trading Co. fire starter are dependable , easy to use , and effective . We found that just one pod was typically all we demand to get a log fire light and burning . Made from wood shaving and food for thought - form wax , the seedcase are odorless , nontoxic , and environmentally safe , pull in them idealistic for everything from indoor hearth to camping bonfires .
It took about 4 secondment for the pod to catch fervor when we lit it with a single match . It started burning lento , but within 5 minutes , the flames were about 8 inches marvellous , and the pod keep burning for about 15 minutes , which was plenty of time for the logs to catch fire .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
The manufacturer list these fervour newbie as waterproof , so we expend a couple in a field glass of piss before testing them . We could n’t get them to light straight off , but that was understandable . Once they dry out , they light quickly and burned well . We used them in a open fireplace and a charcoal grill . We placed one Superior Trading Co. fire - starter pod under the oxford gray basketful in our grillroom and lit it . By the time the flame from the pod burned down , the charcoal was lit .
Get the Superior Trading Co. fire starters atAmazonorSuperior Trading Co.
Forget about newsprint and kindling — we were able to get a existent wood fervency go using just one small Lightning Nugget . It call for three matches to unhorse the nugget , but once lit , it burned brightly with a hot flame about 6 inches high for a small more than 10 minutes .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
The nugget are made from a blended composition of all - natural , recycled , and non-poisonous flammable materials , including pitchwood sawdust and paraffin wax . Pitchwood is a eccentric of pine that contain born rosin that are inflammable .
When burned , these nugget give off a slight pinewood smell , making them suitable for fireplaces and campfires . We were hoping for more of an fragrance , but it was pretty weak . Each box comes with 50 nuggets , and since it takes just one nugget to light most flack , one box go a foresighted path . They ’re not suited for function in grills , however , since they are sweet .
Get the Lightning Nuggets firing starters atAmazonorTractor Supply Co.
Photo: Glenda Taylor
Buyers do n’t have to spend a lot to get tone flame fledgeling . With 24 fire starter square toes in a box , this choice from Rutland is one of the more affordable fire - pop out options .
We placed a couple of Rutland fire starter squares beneath logs in our fireplace . They lit apace — within 1 or 2 bit of touching them with a get off mates . The flames rapidly engulfed the squares and carry on burning for about 8 hour , which was more than enough time to catch fire the logs in the fireplace .
The flame starter squares are made from recycled woods fries , paper fiber , and wax . Although the manufacturer claims they ’ll light when blotto , we could n’t get them to light after we dropped them in a glass of water and then took them out . After about 15 minutes , however , they were dry enough to get down .
Photo: amazon.com
These are nontoxic fire starter , and we could n’t find any olfactory property as they burned , making them worthy for set about charcoal fires for grill food for thought . It took two Rutland squares to get the charcoal grey in our grill started ; the first one burn out before the charcoal overhear , so we slipped a second one under the charcoal field goal and lit it . The briquettes catch fire a few minutes after that .
Get the Rutland flame starter motor atAmazon , Ace Hardware , orTractor Supply Co.
Best Natural
Better Wood Products Fatwood Fire Starter
Nature offers excellent fire starters , but tuck traditional materials such as birch bark , tinder fungus , or cattail frippery is not always practical . One of the good natural fervency starters , fatwood , comes from by nature rosin - saturate pinewood . These fatwood fire starter sticks from Better Wood Products view fire quickly , even when pixilated , and burn longer and hotter than manufactory - made fire starter . Our 10 - pound bundle of fatwood contained 160 stick , each measuring 8.25 inches long and about .5 inches in diam .
After submerging two marijuana cigarette in a bucket of water for 5 minute , we pulled them out , shook off the water , and withstand a illume match against them . Within 5 seconds , both stick were ablaze like jumbo matchsticks . They appeared to cauterise more intensely than typical wood shavings or contract roughage and wax fire crank . compare with those , these fatwood starters produced a larger flaming with more rut — enough that we could finger it from 3 feet away . We were also imprint by the 14 - minute burn mark time , but the downside was an excessive amount of smoke and pungent pine aroma .
Possibly the most intriguing caliber of a fatwood fire starter is its versatility . The seller recommends lighting two sticks at a time with a couple as an well-situated way to get a flame going with teetotal , seasoned firewood . We experimented with smaller amounts and oversee to start one with just half a stick . Another time , we made a nest of fine fatwood shavings and lit it with light off of the ferro rod cell . However you light it , this material just work .
Photo: amazon.com
Get the Better Wood Products flaming starter atAmazon .
Best Ferro Rod
Exotac FireRod XL Fire Starter
sire back to basic by creating a fire with detrition no longer have in mind using flint and brand ; today ’s outdoors enthusiasts swear ferrocerium metal to cater the sparks . In skilled hands , a quality ferro rod and some juiceless tinder are all it takes to progress up a roar fire in no time . We preferred the Exotac FireRod XL over competing models , not least because of the massive rain shower of sparks it produced . We also appreciated its precision - machine aluminum handgrip with a watertight tinder chamber and the fact that the rod can be unthreaded from the body and replaced with a new one if needed . It did not come with a striker , but the spine of a fixed steel or lock - back fold tongue served that role perfectly .
Before the ferro rod could make sparks , we had to scrape by some of the black surface finishing . We then leave out it in the water pail to find out if the tinder chamber was truly bulletproof . It was . Next , we dried our hired hand , opened the kindling chamber , and pull out one of the three included cotton fiber punk pieces . We loosened the fibers and placed the tinder in a packet of dry pine tree needle shaped like a bird ’s nest . The very first strike trigger into the tinder and ignite it , which then lit the pine needle nest . We built the fire up with kindling from there .
We ’ve tried small ferro pole , such asCoghlan ’s Fire - in - a - Boxand the spring - loadedUST BlastMatch . The FireRod XL ’s large rod and chunky handle made it easier to use with gloves , and it produced a larger spark shower to light the tinder . Three of the six flame we come out with the FireRod XL only take a single bang . We also prize the work up - in rainproof spunk bedchamber inside the handle , as this let it to serve as a complete fire - making outfit at all time . On the downside , the preciseness - machine aluminum hold seems to be a costly addition , as the price was multiple time more than that of a similarly sized drilled ferro perch on a lanyard .
Photo: amazon.com
Get the Exotac blast crank atAmazon , Target , orExotac .
Best For Fireplace
GreenSpark Fire Starter Squares
These all - natural fire starters blend recycled pine “ wood woolen ” ( which is a fancy elbow room of saying slivers of Ellen Price Wood cut from logs ) and stearin wax ( a wax made from plant and animal material ) with no impart chemicals . That makes GreenSpark ’s fire starters a clean and eco - friendly way to get a fire going . We tested them to part a campfire and to create a traditional log flaming in the fireplace .
To get the campfire rifle , we placed three GreenSpark fire crank second power on top of some small log and illumine them with a light . It took 3 or 4 seconds for the starters to view . Once they were cut well , we added some small patch of kindling and more logs . The GreenSpark squares broadcast up flames about 6 inch high and cut for around 8 to 9 minutes . That was plentifulness of time to conflagrate the big log we put on the fire .
The tryout in the hearth had standardised results , and we enjoyed a roaring fervidness there . These fire starter are charge as waterproofed , so we dropped them in a glass of water and then recollect them . We could n’t light them now after we took them out of the water , but as before long as the wet on the surface dissipated — which took about 10 minutes — we were able to fall them again .
Photo: amazon.com
They contain all - lifelike ingredient , so the GreenSpark squares are also suited for enjoyment in grills for cooking food .
Get the GreenSpark ardour starters atAmazon .
Best for Fire Pit
Black Beard Fire Starter Fire Sticks
Nothing filch the climate in ingroup quicker than a palmy campfire . Black Beard ’s flak starter “ ropes ” are ideal for fire pits because they can be stored indefinitely , are wholly weatherproof , and offer enough burn clock time to coax even wet firewood alight .
We try a three - pack of “ rope ” ( which is how these come packaged ) using several method acting , and while a clean and matches were the most straightforward approaching , we also had success using the ferro pole . For our timed tryout , we cut a 1 - inch section from one rope , lit an end , and stood it up like a little candle . It burned hard for 11 moment .
Next , we cut another piece of the same size , dunked it in a bucket of water for a minute , shook it off , and charge it beneath a mix of damp , veteran kindling and greenwood logs that had of late been make out . achiever . The residuary piddle sizzled on the flaming newcomer for a few moments as it began to burn . Within 5 minutes the touchwood directly above the fire starter had dry and begin to catch fire . After 10 moment , the firing was well lit , the greenwood log were beginning to char and smoke , and we had enough of a flack to progress on .
Photo: amazon.com
The resulting fire was very smoky — not because of the Black Beard fervor starter motor , but rather because of the uncured firewood . We perform this experimentation to get hold out if the fervour starter get equal heat long enough to actually dry out out damp woods in the bottom of a moist ardour pit , and it did .
Get the Black Beard flak starter atAmazon , Walmart , orBlack Beard .
Best for Charcoal Grill
Kingsford Quick Light Fire Starters
When charcoal grey chimney first became popular , newspapers were much more widely read — and sometimes , burn . Those who get their newsworthiness online and do n’t want to bulge out the barbeque with a trash blast will be glad to learn about these quick - spark fire starter from Kingsford . These dewy-eyed megabucks of woodwind shavings and paraffin wax light easily , burn for a farsighted time , and wo n’t pollute intellectual nourishment fires with confutative chemical substance .
When it come to grilling , Kingsford has been a family name for a long prison term , so we were n’t surprised that its hardwood fire starters ended up being one of the top performers . The intermediate bite time with these was an impressive 13 minutes . Even after we dunked them in water system , they lit within second and burn live once conflagrate . We only call for one fire starter to get the fire going in our charcoal chimney , but some folks who are less patient may opt to use two or three .
With an mean cost of about $ 0.31 per flack starter ( $ 9.99 for a pack of 32 ) , this was one of the most affordable options . The only complaint we had was that the packaging precipitate apart in transit while the fire starters were being embark to us , so we had to store them in our own charge plate zipper bag .
Photo: amazon.com
Get the Kingsford firing starter atAmazon , The Home Depot , orWalmart .
Best for Camping
UCO Sweetfire Strikable Biofuel Fire Starter
When it get along to fire starters for tenting , informality of utilization , atmospheric condition resistivity , and burn time are critical factors . thick packaging is also crucial . UCO ’s Sweetfire fire starters combine the prosperous rap - starting of a match with the burn time of a waxed fibre fire starter . They issue forth in boxes of 20 .
Using this fire starter was just like using a peer . We slid receptive the loge , tore off one of the fervency starter , and struck it on the side of the box . The “ catch head ” was about four time the size of a conventional catch , so it provided more than enough of a flame to get started . The individual flak freshman measure 1 inch broad at the cornerstone , 2 inches from base to lead , and .5 inch thick — relatively little compared to the challenger .
The burn time was passably good at just under 10 minute . That was more than enough clock time to start a fire under ideal conditions , and it work fine in damp , drizzly conditions as well . It also performed well in our dunk test , starting on the first strike after a 5 - second submersion . However , we suspect that the box with the built - in strikers could be a weak connection if it absorbs too much moisture . This is a great choice for camp , but be certain to pack them in a zipper bag just in example .
Photo: amazon.com
Get the UCO fire starters atAmazon , Public Lands , orGear.com .
Best for Emergencies
Pull Start Fire Pull String Fire Starter
When the unexpected happens , a small preparation can make the difference between a crude solar day and an downright disaster . Pull Start Fire was designed to start and burn for 30 min in all kinds of weather , and it can be lit without match , lighters , or other devices . Just unwrap it , remove a tab , anchor it to a log , and pull out a string . We ’ve tried it , and it really was that unproblematic .
This was by far the most expensive fire starter we prove on a per - fire cornerstone . But it was also the easiest to operate in hard conditions , such as one - handed , with hand in baseball glove , in high winds and rain , and so on . Each Pull Start Fire was sealed on an individual basis and , allot to the manufacturer , has an indefinite ledge lifespan . We held it submerged for 60 minute and the cellophane wrapper did n’t leak out . Then we opened the wrapper and be the directions to start the fire .
This fire newbie burns sharply at first , like a roadside parking brake solar flare , until the material inside the internal packaging catch fire . In our tryout , it burned for 32 minute with no extra fuel . On the second endeavor , we placed it beneath a pile of moist but middling cured 3 - inch - thick firewood logs with no kindling . As the Pull Start Fire burned , it dried the wood like a shot above it . Within 10 minutes some of the dampish logs began to burn , and after 20 bit they were well engulf . Bottom course , if we were the character in Jack London ’s storyTo ramp up a Fire , we would rather have a duo of Pull Start blast than a coterie of couple .
Photo: amazon.com
Get the Pull Start Fire fire starters atAmazon , Lowe ’s , orLehman ’s .
DIY Your Own Fire Starter
The blast starters that earned a spot in our lineup are all comparatively inexpensive , and most are made from natural ingredients . For those who want something that not only ignites and burn reliably but looks skillful , too , regard get pine cone fire starters .
Making pine cone fledgeling is fairly simple . It requires melting beeswax in the top of a double boiler and then douse the cones two or three times until they have a gracious wax bed . For sport , try rolling them in Epsom Strategic Arms Limitation Talks after the final cutpurse while they ’re still warm to lend them a frosty look . For scented pine cone attack starters , summate natural indispensable oils to the mellow out wax , such as true pine or cinnamon .
Jump to Our Top Picks
What to Consider When Choosing a Fire Starter
Aside from considering the various type of fire starters , there are other feature that shoppers will desire to consider , such as comfort of function and gismo . While any fire appetiser will make begin a flaming easier than using tinder , not all fire crank are suitable for all types of fires .
Types of Fire Starters
In world-wide , fervour starters lessen into two camp : flame / spark producers or accelerants . Shoppers already cognize about lighter and matches , but they might not be conversant with other type of flaming / spark producers , such as ferro perch .
Accelerants are ordinarily what buyers are commonly looking for when grass for fire starters , and these product are used in continuative with distinctive fire - building materials , such as veteran log . An accelerant fervidness starter motor is position beneath the other materials and then inflame with a match , lighter , ferro rod cell , or other fire / discharge producers . Here ’s the summation on all of them .
A easy consists of a metal or plastic container fill up with a inflammable liquid or tight throttle . A weak lights by simultaneously creating a glint with the Flint River wheel while releasing a controlled amount of the fuel with a button . Unlike other method acting , a light creates an real fire , make it significantly easier to start a fire .
Photo: amazon.com
match are the tried - and - true method acting of starting a fire . Like a lighter , a match creates an actual flame rather than a spark , making it an easier way to start a fire . However , many match are susceptible to piss scathe .
A ferro pole is a pencil - shaped piece of ferrocerium alloy . When a steel or carbide hitter is scraped or struck against the rod , flyspeck shavings of ferrocerium oxidize and ignite as a answer of the detrition , burning at a high temperature of more than 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit .
Flint and steel consist of a blade striker and a piece of innate Flint River . When the two are struck together , they produce heated up pieces of steel in the form of sparks that erupt a man of fabric or tinder , starting the flak .
Photo: amazon.com
A magnesium fire starter typically consists of a small block of soft magnesium with a ferro rod embedded into one edge . The magnesium , which burns at an intense 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit , is an accelerant that works with the touchwood to promptly establish a fire . With a knife or the striker that came with the outfit , kowtow a quarter - size of it nap of atomic number 12 into the tinder pile , then employ the embedded ferro pole and striker to light the touchwood . This will ignite the magnesium fragments , which will help set fire to twigs and kindling .
Accelerants are the most democratic fire - newbie products , and we examine a number of these . nugget and squares consisting of flammable oils , wax , and recycled paper and wood are the soft to use ; however , they involve a flame kindling source , such as a match or a lighter . Once fall , these fire starters typically produce tall , hot flames that light the material above them .
Size and Convenience
As handy as attack dispatcher may be , their usefulness is , to a degree , dependent on their public convenience . seem for fire starters that are lightweight and heavyset , rove from 1 to 6 inch in length . Typically sold in cases of 12 or 24 , these pocket - sizing pouches , pods , or cube can be stash away in unornamented sight or easily tuck out of sight . Small , lightweight , neatly packed products are also more portable .
Reliability in Inclement Weather
Most blast appetizer consist of wax , oil , and dense reprocess wood , which holds up well in wet conditions . Some fire starters are waterproof — drop a ferro rod in water system , for instance , and it wo n’t be impress . Just dry out it off and it will still contrive a Dame Muriel Spark that can ignite dry material . Fire starters also tend to burn at high temperatures of 800 degrees Fahrenheit or more , which allows them to well withstand windy and dampish conditions .
Burn Time
Fire starters are signify to simplify the sometimes painstaking physical process of start out a ardour by leave a persistent flame that can ignite nearby kindling . To do so , the flaming neophyte must burn long enough to constitute the fire . The longer the burn clip , the more potential user can achieve a robust blaze . Our tests determine that most cut for an average of 3 to 15 minutes .
Smell
other types of fire crank were typically infused with inflammable compounds , which gave them a chemic smell . But the best fervour starters in this day and age are nearly odourless . Many people prize the less noxious types of fervor crank . However , fervidness starters that contain natural essential oil color can impart a pleasing aroma to the product that enhances the drug user ’s experience without being toxic .
Sustainability
The best flame freshman tend to be made of environmentally friendly materials , be it wood wastefulness ( sawdust or shavings ) , lifelike non-poisonous wax , recycled composition , or waste fabric fibre . Using fire starters typically result in quick and more complete ignition , whichreduces airborne soot and skunk . Do n’t miss our DIY blast - starter option above to find out how to make eco - well-disposed fervor - starting accelerants from pine strobile and beeswax .
FAQs
A key to using a fire starter effectively is understanding how to arrange logs and punk for the ardor . Ahead , learn about how to build a fervidness correctly and use a fire starter to fall it quickly .
Q. How do I use a fire starter?
To use a fervor starter , begin by setting up your wood . If make a Sir Henry Wood fire , you ’ll involve some firing , which will ignite more rapidly than full - sizing logs . Place the ardor starter under the kindling or oxford grey , leave room so that you could reach the fire starter with a match or light . Light the fire starter and wait as it begins to burn and ignite the kindling .
Q. How do I start a fire in a fire pit?
To start a fire in a flack pit , gather woodwind , kindling , and a fire starter . pile modest pieces of kindling on top of one another , about four layers gamey , until you ’ve formed a form resemble a log cabin . post the fire starter in the middle of your logarithm cabin , pile spunk loosely in the middle , and then light the fire starter .
Q. How do I start a fire in a fireplace?
start by set a level of lighting and two or three small pieces of firewood on the fireplace grate , then place your fire starter motor in the space beneath the grate . fall the fire starter will fire up the kindling above it , which will , in turn , combust the logs . Add prominent log as needed to keep the ardour burning .
Q. Do fire starters expire?
Fire starters are made up of materials that include reuse wood fibers , newspaper , fossil oil , and wax that do not expire ; hence , most ardour starters do not have a ledge life . They may be attractive to insects , gnawer , or other pests , so it is well to store them in airtight containers . Also , since heat may put down the waxes and oil that are often used in these product , be indisputable to hive away them off from overweening oestrus .
Meet the Testers
Glenda Taylor is a product examiner and author specializing in the construction , remodeling , and tangible estate industries . She and her hubby own a oecumenical catching company , and Taylor is experienced in both residential and commercial-grade building applications . She tests a wide range of power tool as well as other home melioration , family , and lawn - and - garden product .
Mark Wolfe is a writer with an broad desktop in the green industry and an avid DIYer who lives in a 50 - year - former home . When he is n’t writing , he spends his sentence upgrading , repairing , and supercede anything and everything in his home , yard , and garden . He tests and writes review about hand tools , lawn - care and home - repair products , and outside - hold up commodity
extra research render by Tony Carrick and Donna Boyle Schwartz .
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