"Fire Paste"

[Mercian-Steve]

I'm new to this forum, so I thought I'd just share a quick little idea that I often use when fire lighting conditions are not ideal... "Fire Paste"

Fire Paste is a little concoction I learnt how to make from an old SF friend of mine, and can be made using ingredients that you will more than likely have sitting in your bathroom and under the kitchen sink. It a paste, roughly the consistency of tooth paste, that only requires a tiny amount to get a fire going in any weather condition, including (very) heavy rain.

It's basically made from grinding up or shaving a bar of soap until it is nothing more than flakes, no bigger than a finger nail, and leaving it to soak in an airtight container overnight with lighter fluid (petrol can be used, but I've found that lighter fluid is more that potent enough to get it going). By morning your container, assuming that it was truly airtight, will be filled with a white paste. BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL with this, as it is extremely flammable.

I find my best use for it is to simply dip a small twig into the pot, reseal, then either drop a spark onto, or use a lighter, to ignite the dipped end of the twig. It will burn very violently and for a very long time, no matter what the weather conditions. You can even use a damp/wet twig. Then simply place it under your kindling to get a red hot fire going in no time. Kind of like making your own matches whilst out in the field.

It's a pretty novel idea, and well worth experimenting with. It's so cheap to make, that it makes no sense not to at least give it a try.

[Silverback]

Welcome to the forum Steve and thanks for sharing...judging by the 'handle' would it be safe to assume you're/were an infanteer ?

[Mercian-Steve]

Hi, and thanks for the Welcome. Yeah, I was reserves but I've had discharge due to medical reasons. Hopefully in the future I'll be fit enough to return, or maybe even go regular. Cheers.

[jus_young]

Hi Steve and welcome to Natural Bushcraft.

Interesting tip, it is certainly something I am going to give a go. It might even save a few embarrassing moments in front of my Scouts.

Make yourself known within the community and introduce yourself here http://www.naturalbushcraft.co.uk/forum/forumdisplay.php?37-Introduce-Yourself-amp-Welcome-to-the-Community!

[jbrown14]

Hi Steve,

Very interesting idea. I've seen fire pastes commercially sold in pouches, but never heard of this easy method to make your own. Really cool! I'll have to try it when I get a chance.

(Incidentally, I mis-read your forum name as "Merican-Steve" and thought for a short time that you were from the US like me...) :D Hee hee...oops!

Thanks for sharing!

Josh

[snowleopard]

Hello and :welcome:

Joel

PS great idea! :camping:

[Sar-ian]

T^ will have to give it a go, might try re-filling a lip balm tube, cheers Ian....

[fish]

thats a way the yanks used to make napalm in the field but with diesel and soap.

[Silverback]

thats a way the yanks used to make napalm in the field but with diesel and soap.


Napalm being illegal to manufacture and use as a weapon of course........Its against the Geneva Convention

[Ehecatl]

Great idea - I'll give that a go. Welcome to the forum Steve.

M@

[David_JAFO]

hello,
:welcome: to the NBC. I was reading this with interest. Tried & tested many years ago with a certain product similar to your 'cook book' recipe. Something you don't really want to mess with especially our younger NBC members, as this can cause very nasty burns. As Fish very kindly replied,"that's a way the yanks used to make napalm in the field but with diesel and soap." :eek:
Regards
David

[David_JAFO]

hello,
We're not in Geneva :wink:
Regards
David


Napalm being illegal to manufacture and use as a weapon of course........
Its against the Geneva Convention

[Silverback]

hello,
We're not in Geneva :wink:
Regards
David



I know, and its actually the LOAC these days as you are no doubt aware...

My point being the legality of manufacture.... It would certainly be a thing our younger members would only want to try using under direct adult supervision and not bother making at all

[Ehecatl]

It's basically made from grinding up or shaving a bar of soap until it is nothing more than flakes, no bigger than a finger nail,

Do you think using a cheese grater would be about right?

M@

[Stamp]

Sounds dangerous if you ask me, I would advise not trying this or at least doing outside were possible fires will have less to damage?

In my experience this type of fire lighting is just not required to make a small campfire in the woods.

[Silverback]

In my experience this type of fire lighting is just not required to make a small campfire in the woods.

It's more a survival, SHTF method...as Steve said he got it from and i quote "one of his SF mates".

[Stamp]

It's more a survival, SHTF method...as Steve said he got it from and i quote "one of his SF mates".

I assume SHTF is something sticky hitting a fan? In which case it will never get used by us living in a civilised world as most of us who have not served for our country will never know the meaning of survival. I have a huge respect for our armed forces but this sort of thing is not something to be used in day to day life. It should kept for the armed forces who are trained in this type of chemical fire. I'm sure our ex-forces members will have all sorts of tricks that are not for use in everyday camping.

If any of you are going to make this stuff, please be extremely careful, who knows what could happen if you mess up with what sounds like a very hazardous chemical mix.

Good luck and be safe!

[Thumbcrusher]

whats the best ratio of soap flakes to lighter fluid?

[Silverback]

I assume SHTF is something sticky hitting a fan? In which case it will never get used by us living in a civilised world as most of us who have not served for our country will never know the meaning of survival. I have a huge respect for our armed forces but this sort of thing is not something to be used in day to day life. It should kept for the armed forces who are trained in this type of chemical fire. I'm sure our ex-forces members will have all sorts of tricks that are not for use in everyday camping.

If any of you are going to make this stuff, please be extremely careful, who knows what could happen if you mess up with what sounds like a very hazardous chemical mix.

Good luck and be safe!


We do have a forum section specifically for SHTF / TEOTWAWKI / Prepper discussion so this kind of thread has an 'appropriateness'.

And in the case of ex forces posters 'yes we do'...

Several warnings have been posted by mods and members alike particularly to our younger members.

Adults are free to make their own decisions, if a forum member wishes to take this info, which is incidentally freely available on the internet, and at one time was in print in a certain book..(which is illegal now AFAIK) and use it then so be it....

As this thread topic is more in keeping with TEOTAWKI/ SHTF/ SURVIVAL it has been moved to this area of the forum

[David_JAFO]

hello,
Well said Sappper :wink:
T^
Regards
David

[Ehecatl]

hello,
Well said Sappper :wink:
T^
Regards
David

+1

I would also add, that nothing is without risk. I've had two seal failures on two different models of stoves. One was ignited and one wasn't. On another occasion I've seen a tent go up in flames (fortunately no one was hurt) - I suspect that this was due to cooking in the tent. I have also seen a stove go up in flames in the New forest badly burning its owners.

With this sort of hobby it very easy to burn yourself or cut yourself. Younger forum members could easily cut themselves when attempting to carve a spoon (I hope this does not happen).

As Sapper says, adults can make their own decisions and I feel should also be very very responsible when minors can be influenced.

Am I going to try this? Yes. Will I do it outside with space to run away in every direction? Yes. I know that it is not without risk and neither is crossing the road (in London) when the pedestrian lights are green.

I think that the challenge is, if something is mysterious, youngsters may experiment in an unsafe manner. Over confidence can also have a detrimental effect. It is down to the responsible adults to find the right balance.

On a lighter note, I often wake up on an over-nighter feeling dehydrated and with a slight headache. Strangely though, I am always happy with that risk the night before!

M@

[Silverback]

+1

I would also add, that nothing is without risk.


.....spend a lot of my spare time clearing up the aftermath from risk.....I'm sure the cyclist never thought he was going to crash and land in a river 25ft below...the walker turn an ankle on a little bit of rock, the hang glider that lost lift...

or then there was the risk sending my son to school last week which has resulted in us all contacting gastroenteritis......

[Ehecatl]

...or then there was the risk sending my son to school last week which has resulted in us all contacting gastroenteritis......

Yuck. Hope you are all on the mend now.

M@

[Silverback]

Yuck. Hope you are all on the mend now.

M@

Junior Sapper and I are, Mrs Sapper started with it today......

[Ehecatl]

I wish Mrs Sapper a speedy recovery. Glad to hear the men are better.

M@

[fish]

home school the kids,less bio-hazards brought into the home! lol

[jus_young]

There is always something with kids!

[Ferrell freddy]

Good post! As for the whole survival thing, I'm sure we all learn how to survive should SHTF regardless of what situation we may find ourselves in day to day. I'm sure anyone who has been in a real life survival situation didn't wake up and think "ooh it's get into a life threatening situation week next week, best learn some skills in prep!"

Am I right to assume two of the most common known factors in survival are knowledge and equipment? I'd rather be confident if required I can make something to keep me alive should I need to.

Yes CHILDREN SHOULD BE SUPERVISED but just as I desire to know I can sustain myself I will definitely impart that knowledge to my offspring. Do Inuit children have rubber Ulu's? No, they have razor sharp metal ones that could cut off their nose. Correctly supervised and trained it is merely a tool. It is the responsibility of the experienced to ensure safety is observed.

[Silverback]

Yes CHILDREN SHOULD BE SUPERVISED but just as I desire to know I can sustain myself I will definitely impart that knowledge to my offspring.

A couple of my 'relatives' expressed disdain when i started to show my son how to light fire & build shelter...then in 2007 it rained - and filled their houses ! They were even more concerned when I also showed him how to safely use a knife and now shoot various firearms.

They are all tools in his tool kit he does not regard them with envy, he does not desire them for power, he respects them as tools which do a job....a tool which he can now use safely IMHO

Not everyone is as responsible as most folks on here, and sadly public perception often differs massively from ours - which is why it became prudent to make numerous references to supervision and safety - Im sure folks understand.

[Ferrell freddy]

A couple of my 'relatives' expressed disdain when i started to show my son how to light fire & build shelter...then in 2007 it rained - and filled their houses ! They were even more concerned when I also showed him how to safely use a knife and now shoot various firearms.

They are all tools in his tool kit he does not regard them with envy, he does not desire them for power, he respects them as tools which do a job....a tool which he can now use safely IMHO

Not everyone is as responsible as most folks on here, and sadly public perception often differs massively from ours - which is why it became prudent to make numerous references to supervision and safety - Im sure folks understand.

T^

[rawfish111]

:welcome: T^

[jbrown14]

Not to nudge things back to the original post or anything...but in thinking about this recipe in regard to SHTF: it all depends on how big the "S" and the "F" are.

I was thinking of this purely in terms of quick, down-and-dirty fire-lighter that may come especially useful on one of those 40 degree (F) days when you've fallen in a river or pond, or it's been chucking down buckets all day, and your poncho got whipped away by an errant gust from your cramping hands...who knows? Another tool in the box of fire-kit is probably a GREAT idea for your SHTF days.

(Oh, and Geneva? No, my mother's name is spelled "Genevieve." It means "white wave" and it's as lovely as she is. :D )

All the best!

Josh

[rawfish111]

Just had chance to read the rest of this thread and some wise words.spoken. so we are saying the 5gals I've got brewing between the oven and my spare calorgas may not be the best idea?......

[Peaks]

Probably be ok as long as you don't check to see how its doing with a lighted match cos its dark between the oven + the calor gas...............:jumping-joy:.

[Thumbcrusher]

Just had chance to read the rest of this thread and some wise words.spoken. so we are saying the 5gals I've got brewing between the oven and my spare calorgas may not be the best idea?......

Now that really made me chuckle!:happy-clapping:

[butchthedog]

just had chance to read the rest of this thread and some wise words.spoken. So we are saying the 5gals i've got brewing between the oven and my spare calorgas may not be the best idea?......

lol T^

[Silverback]

Just had chance to read the rest of this thread and some wise words.spoken. so we are saying the 5gals I've got brewing between the oven and my spare calorgas may not be the best idea?......

planning on being the 7th lion ?

[Thumbcrusher]

Well i finely grated my bar of soap and added two cans of lighter fluid. Sealed the top of the jar with clingfilm and then put the lid on good and tight. Gave it a good shake and left it overnight.
Went down to the garage tonight and gingerly removed the jar outside, careful not to knock it or drop it just in case! Had a quick peek and sure enough it had turned miraculously into a thick gooey paste. Excitedly i donned my welding mask and gauntlets and delicately removed a good teaspoon full of the concoction and went to place it onto the concrete drive. At this point my six year old screamed, "dad what you doing" which made me throw the spoon into the air. Everything suddenly went into slow motion... do i try to catch it and risk missing it or do i throw myself over my child using my body to shield the little chap from the impending blast as the volatile mix hit the floor? My paternal instinct kicked in and i dived onto my bewildered son who now resembles an angry pancake but at least i had saved him. PHEW!
I ushered him into the house as i could risk any more danger to him and i was about to ignite the C4 lookalike mixture with a swan vesta match! Trust me to buy a faulty batch of matches! Eighteen matches or so into the experiment i realised my error as they were clearly burning well below the ignition temperature of something very combustable. I threw caution to the wind and added another large dollop of mixture before applying my jetflame lighter to it:shocked:
BOOM ... the lighter lit, (it's quite a noisy lighter) followed closely by a massive..... bout of disappointment as the stuff couldn't barelyhave been lit with a flame thrower!:confused2:
It stank of lighter fluid but it didn't want to burn. Eventually frustration led me to take my calor powered flame gun to it and wooohooooo of it went. Boy it burnt like... well....er.... soap actually! Now i have a large tub of white flameproof goo, an oily patch on the drive, a well dented ego and a son who is at this very moment phoning childline telling them i jumped on him!
OH WELL! Back to the drawing board!

[Silverback]

must have been the Lux good for your skin not combustible soap........

Caution still stands...chemical reactions, matches, naked flames and children....nowt wrong with a little bit of fear it heightens the senses, makes you more careful

[Thumbcrusher]

nowt wrong with a little bit of fear it heightens the senses, makes you more careful But has a propensity to ruin your underwear as well!:ashamed:

[Silverback]

But has a propensity to ruin your underwear as well!:ashamed:

Never said it wouldnt....adrenaline is known to be brown and runny ;)

[admo919]

i think the initial poster got soap mixed up with maybe good old candle wax ;)

it was fun reading the 40 posts thereinafter though.

as always, play safe guys.

Adam.

i seem to remember fish posting a firelighting option using old cardboard being dipped in a solution!... i will try and find it and post a link. i have tried it and they work brill in the gilly or honey, and you can always use a cone for a candle soaked in the gunk.

[admo919]

here we go.

try these for fire lighters.

http://s102.photobucket.com/user/fishfish_01/media/Bushcraft/MyMovie10.mp4.html

[Ehecatl]

T^

[rawfish111]

Never said it wouldnt....adrenaline is known to be brown and runny ;)

T^

[Mercian-Steve]

Well i finely grated my bar of soap and added two cans of lighter fluid. Sealed the top of the jar with clingfilm and then put the lid on good and tight. Gave it a good shake and left it overnight.
Went down to the garage tonight and gingerly removed the jar outside, careful not to knock it or drop it just in case! Had a quick peek and sure enough it had turned miraculously into a thick gooey paste. Excitedly i donned my welding mask and gauntlets and delicately removed a good teaspoon full of the concoction and went to place it onto the concrete drive. At this point my six year old screamed, "dad what you doing" which made me throw the spoon into the air. Everything suddenly went into slow motion... do i try to catch it and risk missing it or do i throw myself over my child using my body to shield the little chap from the impending blast as the volatile mix hit the floor? My paternal instinct kicked in and i dived onto my bewildered son who now resembles an angry pancake but at least i had saved him. PHEW!
I ushered him into the house as i could risk any more danger to him and i was about to ignite the C4 lookalike mixture with a swan vesta match! Trust me to buy a faulty batch of matches! Eighteen matches or so into the experiment i realised my error as they were clearly burning well below the ignition temperature of something very combustable. I threw caution to the wind and added another large dollop of mixture before applying my jetflame lighter to it:shocked:
BOOM ... the lighter lit, (it's quite a noisy lighter) followed closely by a massive..... bout of disappointment as the stuff couldn't barelyhave been lit with a flame thrower!:confused2:
It stank of lighter fluid but it didn't want to burn. Eventually frustration led me to take my calor powered flame gun to it and wooohooooo of it went. Boy it burnt like... well....er.... soap actually! Now i have a large tub of white flameproof goo, an oily patch on the drive, a well dented ego and a son who is at this very moment phoning childline telling them i jumped on him!
OH WELL! Back to the drawing board!

Now, I really can't understand that...? I mixed mine in an old waterproof match container. Literally filled it to the top with shavings of soap, then topped the bugger up with lighter fluid. Next morning mine will easily light from a match, or better still a small spark. I don't know if it will make any difference, but the soap I used was "Dove", and the lighter fluid was, well, lighter fluid. Maybe your mixture had too much time for the fluid to evaporate before you put a light to it...? I don't know, but I can assure you this works incredibly well.

On another note, thanks to everyone for their warm welcomes to the forum, and thank you for moving my thread to the appropriate section. I would also like to thank everyone that added in their "words of warning". I naively overlooked the fact that there may be younger members of this forum that might need a little reminder of safety... I'll be sure to consider that on any future posts.

[Mercian-Steve]

Not the best video ever, but it clearly shows that the paste works... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9jdzaUWu7s

To think, I created a Youtube account just to upload this... I have far too much free time :/

[dave budd]

i think the initial poster got soap mixed up with maybe good old candle wax ;)

it was fun reading the 40 posts thereinafter though.

as always, play safe guys.

Adam.

i seem to remember fish posting a firelighting option using old cardboard being dipped in a solution!... i will try and find it and post a link. i have tried it and they work brill in the gilly or honey, and you can always use a cone for a candle soaked in the gunk.


nope, soap is right. wax burns, but the soap has glycerine in it that will aid in starting the fire to begin with. Just think about the classic potassium permangenate and glycerine fire lighting mixture ;)


I've been meaning to play with some fire lighting mixtures myself, maybe this thread will be the catalyst for me to start burning stuff! :evilgrin:

[Thumbcrusher]

Hi Steve,

Thinking about it i may have overdone it with the soap lol! I did use dove soap too but went a bit "industrial" and i used the whole bar:eek: Maybe that meant even the fairly large amount of lighter fluid wasnt enough!

I'll have another go but with smaller amounts!! (I blame my over enthusiasm on this occasion on living near ICI);)

[Silverback]

I'll have another go but with smaller amounts!! (I blame my over enthusiasm on this occasion on living near ICI);)

I live quite near an ICI plant too :)

[Chubbs]

I tried it yesterday with a bar of grated cheap soap and a tin of lighter petrol. It did light straight away but was very easy to blow out.

[Mercian-Steve]

nope, soap is right. wax burns, but the soap has glycerine in it that will aid in starting the fire to begin with. Just think about the classic potassium permangenate and glycerine fire lighting mixture ;)


I've been meaning to play with some fire lighting mixtures myself, maybe this thread will be the catalyst for me to start burning stuff! :evilgrin:

T^