Yes, you're right Sue, but I'm always thinking of the need for flintsteel methods, not that I always use them, but I try to practice with them whenever possible (usually without the homemade tinderquicks). With a lighter or matches, as long as the tinder is dry and the weather accomodating, I'll just use dry tinder. But, as you said, if you have a lighter and still use the wax-paper cotton balls, they fire right up through the paper, like you said with the paper acting as the tinder.

Here's a couple other improvements to consider:

Melt the PJ with a little wax and use that to wet the cotton balls. It will set up a little firmer. (I believe this is actually what Couglan's Tinder Quicks are made from)

Tie a small piece of floss or thread around each of the balls, then stuff them into the container keeping the end of the threads draped over the lip of the container and oriented so you know which thread to pull out first. Close the lid on the threads and this will make it much easier and less mess to deal with in the field.

Wow, a new way to mess up the kitchen. Now I have to go searching for some pitch (which shouldn't be all that hard, since I am gonna be assisting with using a monster wood chipper tomorrow)...

CARRY PJ AND COTTON BALL'S SEPARATELY COMBINE AS NEEDED NO MESS

Guess I live a tough life, cuz if all you have to worry about is the mess a dab of petroleum jelly and a cotton ball makes.......???????


Take a dab of petroleum jelly and massage into a cotton ball. Stuff in a 35mm film canister. Repeat until can is filled. Wipe hands on paper towel.

Aloha Mike,

What's the secret? I tried to duplicate your idea and I can't get mine to even stay lit very long, much less 30 minutes. It also blows out easiliy in a breeze. I must be making it wrong somehow.

Does the PJ have to be melted first? I only smeared it and kinda squoooshed it around in a zip lock bag. I appreciate your advice.

What i use is ladys flat circular Makeup Removers, made of cotton
they are all ready compressed flat, i put a dab of PJ on the top, add another MR and more PJ and other MR and more PJ
Works great
if you cut the circles down abit they fit in a film container
works great in the tinfoil package as well

Yukon

Bag Balm is great stuff!
But it is rather obscure...
I was amazed when I found out that a girl I knew used it all the time... For her hands, for all the dirty minded guys out there...

I use the square version of those. I always have one or two in my wallet, but without the PJ since I usually have some chapstick in another pocket so I can smear on as I need it.

I think I am going to try rolling one of the cotton squares up with PJ in it and wrapping it with duct tape. Maybe it will work like a long burning candle. I'll post again after I try.

Turn the ziplock bag inside out, put your hand inside of it, scoop out your pj, then with your hand that is inside the bag, grab it, and turn it rightside out. You've just gotten a bunch of pj without getting ANY on your hands. Put in the appropriate amount of cotton balls, seal it, and knead. Done.