Cottonball and Vaseline (Alt)

threatx3

threatx3

Joined
Dec 30, 2010
Messages
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What do you guys think about mixing lint with vaseline? I tested it out with my firesteel and it seem to catch faster than the cotton.

Just wondered if anyone has ever tried it out.
 
I already think cottonballs catch pretty easily with firesteel...Anything to help aid even that is overkill. (in my opinion)
 
threatx3 said:
What do you guys think about mixing lint with vaseline? I tested it out with my firesteel and it seem to catch faster than the cotton.

Just wondered if anyone has ever tried it out.
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If it works for you better, then use it.
 
I use it everytime with vaseline.
Gives you plenty of time to build the fire. I put the cotton ball in silver foil so i can take him with me.
But be carefull with this on Airports ;)
 
I've read of quite a few guys that use dryer lint as a fire starter.
-Your stock gets replenished every time you do laundry.
-It's free, cotton balls aren't.
-No need for messy Vaseline (which also costs money), and is therefore easier to store without risk of Vaseline messing up the rest of your kit.
 
Drier lints flammability will vary depending on what you've washed. It's a great starter, but I've found it more susceptible to dampness and moisture than cotton balls. I actually use makeup removal pads. Denser, and seems to burn longer. Haven't done any real testing on that.
 
The Vaseline increases burn time by about ten fold. The only down side is that it is messy. They are not free like lint, but i really like the "tinder quik" tabs.
 
Depends on the source of the lint - lint from denim or cotton shirts & socks works great - lint from polyester or other man-made (plastic derived) is not so good, nor is wool. If you have pets, pet hair degrades the quality of the burn as well.

If you're just smearing the vaseline on the cotton balls, try this to superpower your vaseline-infused cotton balls, melt the vaseline over a low heat and then give the cotton balls a swim... take them out and let them dry on wax paper, then pack them into a container... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjP-eTfJwMA (that's not me in the video!) :-)
 
Also, fabric softeners and dryer sheets and leave a waxy plastic feel to the lint that can make it not want to burn as well.

I bag of 250 cotton balls was $2 I think at my local dollar store. 100% cotton. That makes a lot of PJ cotton balls. Like 250 or something. :D Well worth the small expense IMO.
 
For me it comes down to consistency. The dryer lint approach works and is "free", but I find I always will have a mix of synthetic material in the mix.

Triple Size Cotton balls can be had for a little more than a penny each.

Getting the Vaseline into the cotton is messy indeed, but I tried this with some success.

Put a small glob of P-Jelly in a shot glass and "microwave it until it is a liquid (20-30 sec). Dip cotton ball 3/4 of the way into P-Jelly and it will absorb it all. Drop the PJ-ball onto a piece of foil to cool and minimize the mess.
 
I tried making PJ Cotton discs a few days ago. Tried iginting them, after fluffing them a bit it takes a spark so easy. 1, sometimes 2 strikes from th GG rod.
Just got some PJ and worked it in the discs. Sticky job. Gonna try melting it next time.
 
Dryer sheets really kill the flammability of lint. Haven't had much trouble when using liquid fabric softener though.

The good thing about cotton balls covered in goop is that they're very waterproof.
 
Cotton balls smeared with vaseline inside a small water tight Nalgene container always works for me. Takes up no more room than a pool ball , gives me about a dozen balls and never messes up the gear bag. Alternatively you could carry just the cotton balls and a small tube of jelly and make them as you need them. Polysporin from the FAK works also or even Lip balm like Carmex.
 
Try putting a couple of teaspoons/tablespoons of petroleum jelly into a ziplock bag and drop a handful of cotton balls into there and squish them around. Roll up the bag with the cotton balls in it and store it in your BOB. Ready to go, without all the messiness.:thumbup:
 
These work really good, cut off small pieces, and a box goes a long way.
It takes fire quickly and burns for quite a while...
IMAG0397.jpg
 
Sounds an idea that would work, albeit as others have said may not produce consistent results. [also you can always save up quite a lot, and mix them together, that way, you may get the best bunch, but you can also use the not so great as filler and still burn. Hence leaving you with more material to use]

Perhaps whenever you get them, take a tiny piece off and try each batch to see how it works. - quality control :p -

But like others said cotton balls have been proven to work, and work with consistency, and plus they aren't that expensive for a bag. Albeit you are paying for Vaseline though.

Oh and for a container, I have used my old prescription bottles as containers for the Vaseline impregnated cotton balls. They work really great, compact, a screw on cap that protects the contents [not sure if its water/air tight though]. And the plastic most use are fairly tough so it can take a beating.
 
ditto what others said regarding mixed quality of dryer lint. i'll also add that there are synthetic cotton balls as well so i make sure to buy 100% natural cotton balls for my pjcb.
 
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