Emergency Heater and Cotton Ball Fire Starter

Emergency Heater http://www.youtube.comlwatch?v=OPABQW9gN2Q
Materials:

         Empty quart paint can ($3 at Lowes)

·        Isopropyl Alcohol

·        Roll of toilet paper

·        Lighter

·        Paint can key

Step 1: Remove cardboard roll from center of toilet paper (do this by pinching and twisting out cardboard roll)
Step 2: Compress toilet paper and insert into can (if needed, remove layers of toilet paper for it to fit)

Step 3: Slowly pour in alcohol until paper is saturated and submerged

Step 4: Tape key and lighter to side of can for future use

How To Use: Remove can lid with key and light toilet paper on fire. This heater does not produce a significant amount of
Carbon-monoxide but will burn oxygen, so use in a ventilated area. When finished using, extinguish fire by putting lid on.

         

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Cotton Ball Fire Starter www.youtube.comlwatch?v=BF4WDVVDTpO
Materials:

·        Cotton balls

·        Petroleum Jelly

·        Container to keep cotton balls in (ie: empty pill bottle)

·        Spoon and bowl

·        Lighter

Step 1: Using BACK of spoon, scoop out petroleum jelly about 1/3 the size of the cotton ball.

Step 2: In the bowl, "knead" petroleum jelly into the cotton ball with the back of the spoon until saturated. Make several
and store in container

How To Use: When needed to start a fire, remove 1 cotton ball and light on fire. Cotton ball will burn for an extended
period of time allowing you to get kindling started.

The Bickhams sent over these recipes, and I was excited to see that I've actually used them! A couple years ago while camping with my family, my dad brought out all the materials for the emergency heater and had us all make our own. It was fun to do together, and now I have an emergency heater in the trunk of my car, in case the need ever arises. It works really well, and it's super easy to put together. And cheap.

The cotton ball fire starter I also know from my dad.  I lived with them not too long ago, and so was around to help him make them when he heard about them.  The only thing he did differently was he melted the petroleum jelly in a pan on the stove first, to make it easier to coat the cotton ball with it. He tried it a few times, and came to the conclusion that you really shouldn't saturate it. Less is better. He uses them at home all the time to start fires in his fireplace.