I ran across something called "Insta-Fire" today. It's a new product that seems to bridge the gap between tinder and kindling. It is a mixture of pumice, wood pellets, and paraffin. It may be a little bulky for lightweight-minded hikers, but could be quite acceptable for stowing in a car or bushplane.

I checked their homepage and while the stuff is not too terribly expensive, I wouldn't use it for run-of-the-mill firemaking. However it may be a key tool in that worst case scenario where you desperately need a good fire, fast, but everything is soaked. One of those 1.8 ounce packets could well be a godsend. However would it be any better than a fat bar of trioxane or a wad of 5 petroleum jelly cotton balls? Dunno yet. It would be a potential deal-breaker for me if it won't light with a ferro rod and requires open flame.

No affiliation, just looks like a potentially useful tool.

What do you pyromaniacs say?

You can never (well, hardly ever) have too many ways to start a fire...

I've had very good fortune with Esbit tabs and milsurp fire gel. I'm not sure if I'd want to try anything bulkier.

You can get small packets from them on eBay. I've had it in my "watched" list for six months but haven't yet pulled the trigger. I can't decide if it adds anything over Esbit/hexamine, Wetfire, or Weber cubes.

That's sounds like good stuff, but I wouldn't replace anything until the longevity is verified. The WetFire garbage is worthless past the expiration date if it's exposed to air or if you look at it the wrong way.

Some U-tubers have been making something like this
Just search for ( homemade firestarters ) and perhaps include (egg carton)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWE--sJ4uxM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7xRq0gAwgs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UB3W93wXwc

Are you perhaps meaning WetFire? Tinder-Quik is just braided cotton, treated with something akin to parafin. They don't come sealed, or at least I haven't found 'em that way. WetFire really does go bad quickly if not stored properly (and sometimes even if it is).

Yeah, I've always been amazed that WetFire has survived at all on the market. How could anyone trust something so fragile for such an important task?

It should be noted the issue in the original post is bridging the gap between tinder and fuel. That's fine, but always the most important issue for me is bridging the gap between zero and tinder, in other words, getting the fire started in the first place... an important distinction I think.



You're right. I meant WetFire is finicky. Tinder-Quik is just a waste of money, when cotton balls w/ PJ is better, has more uses, and is about 100 times less expensive.

I must admit that I love the stuff! I purchased a 100 ct bag on eBay for $20 or so shipped, not a bad price. It's treated someone and will light easily when wet. It burns for a good 2-3 minutes vs 5-10 seconds for untreated cotton. It's a lot more compact than cotton, too. Don't get me wrong, treated cotton balls are great tinder (PJ and wax are both great, and I've got some Gel-Wax that should rock, just haven't had a chance to try it out.

I'll certainly never try to convince anyone to use the stuff but I really find it useful.