Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Chemistry => Topic started by: thedoc on 07/08/2012 22:30:01

Title: How can I start a fire with household things?
Post by: thedoc on 07/08/2012 22:30:01
Christopher Mogie  asked the Naked Scientists:
   
How can I make a firestarter from easy-to-obtain stuff that everybody could get their hands on?

What do you think?
Title: Re: How can I start a fire with household things?
Post by: Kryptid on 08/08/2012 00:30:55
Matches. Or a really strong magnifying glass. There you go.
Title: Re: How can I start a fire with household things?
Post by: Lmnre on 08/08/2012 00:43:15
There's always the ubiquitous clothes dryer lint (http://www.instructables.com/id/Waterproof-Dryer-Lint-Fire-Starter/?ALLSTEPS). There's also the less obvious (but more scientific?) method of a battery plus some steel wool (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eT-buIKUpY) (aka "wire wool" in Britain).

As with anything that's potentially dangerous, adult supervision is required.
Title: Re: How can I start a fire with household things?
Post by: William McCormick on 09/08/2012 03:42:07
Christopher Mogie  asked the Naked Scientists:
   
How can I make a firestarter from easy-to-obtain stuff that everybody could get their hands on?

What do you think?

Linseed Oil on cotton balls.
Motor oil on certain Chlorine pool tablets.
Sometimes a few drops of water into a tub of pool chlorine tablets will start a fire.
Cane Sugar and Sulfuric Acid (Car battery acid)

I am sure there are more, I just cannot think of them at the moment.



                      Sincerely,

                            William McCormick

Title: Re: How can I start a fire with household things?
Post by: Bored chemist on 09/08/2012 19:21:52



Cane Sugar and Sulfuric Acid (Car battery acid)



                      Sincerely,

                            William McCormick



You seem to have forgotten the weedkiller.
Title: Re: How can I start a fire with household things?
Post by: William McCormick on 09/08/2012 23:59:42

You seem to have forgotten the weedkiller.

To use the Prometon to burn?

I am not up on Prometon, does it mix with something violently and ignite?


                      Sincerely,

                            William McCormick
Title: Re: How can I start a fire with household things?
Post by: Bored chemist on 11/08/2012 14:15:48
There's more than one weedkiller.
Title: Re: How can I start a fire with household things?
Post by: Lab Rat on 13/12/2012 20:58:34
If you can find flint or pyrite (also known as fool's gold) somewhere, backyard, etc., these can be struck with steel and iron, respectively, to create sparks.  I may be back to this topic soon, when I think of more.
Title: Re: How can I start a fire with household things?
Post by: Mazurka on 17/12/2012 10:08:16
BC if you are referring to sodium chlorate and sugar - it is increasingly difficult to get sodium chlorate in the EU since the ban on sale in 2009. Isn't it typically more explosive than fire starting?
Title: Re: How can I start a fire with household things?
Post by: Bored chemist on 17/12/2012 10:45:02
True, but I was making the point about W McC's "Cane Sugar and Sulfuric Acid (Car battery acid)" suggestion.