Make Your Own DIY Fire Starter Kit

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Making your own DIY Fire Starter Kit will allow you to start a fire in both everyday and survival situations. Added bonus, these kits are easy to make, and fit into a 72 Hour Kit!  Let’s get to work!

You know the rule about having one is like having none, and having two is like having one?  Well, this rule applies to your DIY Fire Start Kit too.  You’ll want at LEAST TWO ways of starting a fire.  And if you choose to add a couple more options, well, good for you!

Ignition Tools For A DIY Fire Starter Kit

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One beauty of creating your own kit, is that you can do it very inexpensively.

1.  Bic Lighters   Yup.  Go with a brand that you can trust to get the job done.  Often the cheaper no-name brands have a habit of leaking and not working when you need them the most.

2. (This post contains affiliate links)  Ferrocerium Rod and Striker      Hold the rod in one hand and the striker in the other, bringing the striker down the rod in  a firm manner.  This will result in sparks you can then direct towards your tender.  You’ll get a thousand fires out of just one kit.

While these are easy to use, and can be use in any weather, there is a learning curve.  Practice before the emergency, k?

3.  Stormproof Matches and Strikers   Now, you  could save a couple of bucks by purchasing strike anywhere matches and storing them in your own waterproof containers.  For me it was just easier to do it this way.

What To Use For Tinder?

1. There’s the old reliable, putting a few cotton balls in a bag with a dollop of petroleum jelly, squishing everything around and the storing everything in an old medicine bottle.

2. Did you know that jute twine makes great, although very fast burning, tinder? True story.

3. With a Magnesium Flint Fire Starter, the tinder is actually the the mag bar itself.  You scrape about a Tablespoon of magnesium off the bar, and then light that with sparks from the ferro rod.  These will also work in any weather or at any altitude.

PRO TIP:  Scrape some magnesium shavings and then store them in a empty bill bottle or plastic bag to make the process even easier!

4.  Char Cloth A quick internet search will show you how to make your own, or you can purchase a few pieces ready made.

5. Waterproof Paracord Emergency Shoelaces. Yup, you read that right. Shoelaces you can use as tinder for a life saving fire.  The beauty of this option being that you never have to worry about not having waterproof tinder handy!

What To Store Your DIY Fire Starter Kit In

As I get older, organization is becoming more important to me. I do not want to have to dig all through my Bug Out Bag to find what I need. I want to be able to reach in and grab exactly what I need when I need it.

To solve this problem, I’ve been assembling a few kits in clear make up bags. This way I can see what is in each bag. The size of bag you choose will depend on how big your kit is.

Hey!  Before you go, have you joined out Simply Preparing Deals Facebook Group yet?  We share GREAT deals on the supplies you need to get your family ready for any emergency!  What are you waiting for?