Charcloth?

I don't use it anymore, BUT, when I did, I tried a bunch of different things.
I use skitogan, or chaga now.
Enough that it absolutely pissed my wife off making it in the house. It took 2/two times before I started doing it outside.

JUST MY OPINION, AND EXPERIANCE.
Had real good luck with cheap cotton wash rags, had a lot of crevices to catch sparks.

I used cotton balls, and cotton gauze too, that worked pretty well.

I did use T-shirts too, worked pretty well.

BEST, for me, cheap cotton wash rag. (the first one I used was a new one, that may have added to the pissed off wife)
Ended up using old ones allocated to dust rags.
 
I usually buy a bag of t-shirt rags from the hardware store and use those. They're 100% cotton, cut up real nicely, and are great for using as gun cleaning supplies as well. As far as cooking it, I usually use my BBQ as it has a side burner that cooks the cotton up quick and complete. If it's your first time making some, just remember to let the container cook until there is no more smoke coming out and, I can't stress this enough, let it cool down completely before you open it. If you don't let it cool, you'll have a little cotton fire on your hands and you'll end up starting over.
 
Thanks fellas, very grateful for the advice. I am using a small 'blank' never-used paint can I got from Big Box Hardware Store. Drilled a small hole in the top, etc.
 
The best char cloth material that I have found useful is braided cotton kerosene lamp wick. After it is made into char cloth in a tin can with a hole punched in the lid, it can be rolled up. I find other materials too thin. You just tear off an inch or so of char. It catches the spark well and holds it for a longer period of time. This give more heat to light the tinder even if things are a little damp. You can also throw in a piece of charcoal from your last fire to create a glowing nugget to help with a difficult tinder bundle. You can also char a new cotton mop head strings. The towel also works well. I will usually wash to get any soap out of it.
 
I have a BIG bag of 100% cotton large rifle patches that make great charcloth. Been working on this bag for years..and they are pre-cut to boot....
 
Cotton flannel works great. The looser the weave the better. I got hold of some hand woven drapery backing (all cotton flannel) from the 1800's. They were throwing the things out and I stripped the backing off the silk. I got about 20 pieces about 5'X10' that were dirty but very solid. I also use it for underlayments in my tent. It washes well, can be used as a very comfortable sleeping bag liner and when a piece goes to scrap it goes into my char cloth can. I also use the kids old Pajamas when they give them up.
 
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