When lighting a campfire, having tinder to maintain the flame from matches, lighters, or other fire-starting techniques is important for maintaining the flame and building the fire. Many kinds of tinder can be found in nature, while others can be purchased from outdoor retailers.
Natural Tinder Includes Needles, Leaves, Grasses and Bark
Natural tinder comes in many forms, depending on the geographic region. In the eastern half of the United States, the leaves of deciduous trees can be used. In the American West, pine needles and the bark from juniper trees may be more popular. Some common forms of natural tinder include:
- Pine needles
- Leaves
- Grasses
- Bark
Do not gather material from live trees or plants to avoid creating an eyesore and impact. Besides, tinder burns better when it is dry and has no moisture content.
Creating a Nest of Tinder to Start a Fire
Once the tinder has been gathered, create a small nest or pile of the material. The nest can be as big as a pair of cupped hands holding the tinder. Form a hole in the nest to hold the flame from a match or an ember. A flame burns upward, so make sure that the tinder can catch it and burn. Once the tinder has caught a flame, one can add additional tinder, as well as smaller twigs and sticks to build up the fuel and create a fire. Have the nest as well as smaller pieces of fuel ready before igniting a flame.
Man-Made Tinder Uses Dry Paper, Cardboard, Cotton, Lint
There are different types of material that are man-made and perform the same function as natural timber. Some can be easily found around in the backpack, others can be purchased from an outdoor retailer. Some common items that can be brought from home are:
- Paper
- Cardboard
- Cotton balls
- Lint from the dryer.
- Newspaper
Keep these items in a resealable plastic bag to keep them dry.
Commercially Available Tinder
Outdoor retailers sell commercially made tinder, which often has special properties. These can include being water-resistant, having the ability to light quickly, and being portable.
One form of tinder is Coghlan’s Emergency Tinder. The pieces of tinder look like cotton balls, but according to the manufacturer, they can be lit when wet and burn for several minutes. Another product made by Coghlan’s is Fire Paste. This flammable paste can be squeezed onto burnable material, then lit with a mach or lighter. It is a good idea to apply the paste to the base of the fuel so that the flame can climb up and ignite the wood.
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