Step 4 of 14 · Build a Campfire That Lights First Try
Cotton ball + petroleum jelly backup
Cotton ball + petroleum jelly backup — step 4 of 14 in Build a Campfire That Lights First Try. Take a cotton ball and work a pea-sized blob of petroleum jelly into the fibres — not a soaked glob, just enough to make the cotton…
Free outdoor skills tip: Cotton ball + petroleum jelly backup (step 4 of 14 from "Build a Campfire That Lights First Try").
Take a cotton ball and work a pea-sized blob of petroleum jelly into the fibres — not a soaked glob, just enough to make the cotton slightly translucent. Pull the ball apart to expose dry fibres on the surface. It lights from a spark, burns for 2–3 minutes with a steady flame, and survives light rain once lit.
Carry 6–8 prepared balls in a zip-lock. They weigh nothing and guarantee you have reliable tinder even when the forest is damp. Place one in the centre of your natural tinder bundle as insurance.
Pro tip: Prepare these at home. A bag of 20 costs pennies and lasts a full camping season.
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