The versatile Brazil Nut (fire starting)

I love Brazil nuts, and as a result tend to eat them first. I guess I will have to force myself to leave them alone so I can try this next time out. :)
 
That is too cool.

Flaming Brazil nuts.

My guess is that you need to leave them in the shell until you are ready to burn them.

That way the oil stays in.
 
George D. said:
That is too cool.

Flaming Brazil nuts.

My guess is that you need to leave them in the shell until you are ready to burn them.

That way the oil stays in.
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Not in my experience. I had a much harder time time getting freshly shelled ones to light.
 
Took me awhile to get one lit. Long enough I could have probably started a fire with the lighter. I would assume that they are dried differently. Interesting the roasted nuts burn better. I will be taking some Brazil nuts and running them through 12 hours on the dehydrator and see how the light.

I do love this forum, where else would you be lighting food and taking pictures?
 
bigcozy said:
Took me awhile to get one lit. Long enough I could have probably started a fire with the lighter. I would assume that they are dried differently. Interesting the roasted nuts burn better. I will be taking some Brazil nuts and running them through 12 hours on the dehydrator and see how the light.

I do love this forum, where else would you be lighting food and taking pictures?
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That particular nut came from a can of Planters mixed nuts I believe, maybe they're more oily, I am still studying this.

Well...lol, never took pics but, corn chips, and pringles work too if I remember right....probably some others.
 
Thats pretty cool. They're filling as hell too. Neato!
 
This is a really interesting and practical tip,excellent pix as well thank you:thumbup:

In addition to most nuts being good for you, Brazil nuts (fresh)contain a good amount of selenium which is often missing from our diets.This is particularly vital for us males as we need selenium for healthy prostate and reproductive organs...taste good too AND a potential fire-raiser:D What more d'ye need?
 
willgoy said:
This is a really interesting and practical tip,excellent pix as well thank you:thumbup:

In addition to most nuts being good for you, Brazil nuts (fresh)contain a good amount of selenium which is often missing from our diets.This is particularly vital for us males as we need selenium for healthy prostate and reproductive organs...taste good too AND a potential fire-raiser:D What more d'ye need?
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Awesome, thanks for the extra info! They really are a great pack along item
 
mistwalker said:
That particular nut came from a can of Planters mixed nuts I believe, maybe they're more oily, I am still studying this.

Well...lol, never took pics but, corn chips, and pringles work too if I remember right....probably some others.
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Little different but, anyone else ever get the peanut butter in an MRE lite. it is kinda oily and will burn with a little work.
 
omniviking said:
Little different but, anyone else ever get the peanut butter in an MRE lite. it is kinda oily and will burn with a little work.
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Never tried that one but I will definitely remember it.


Last night I did a little experiment.

This is a store brand can of mixed nuts from a local grocery store...cheaper than the name brand but tastes about the same to me. It does list in it's ingredients; Peanut and/or Canola and/or Cottonseed Oil.

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These are the materials I chose to experiment with. I bent two paper clips into little stands, and using the lifeboat matches I am evaluating I tried to light them. I knew that Brazil nuts will burn like candles so I wanted to see if they will light like candles. I will say here that if the intention is to use these as "candles" they should be placed on a more suitable surface for burning such as a saucer, plate, metal pie pan, or maybe even some alluminum foil. I have yet to see how they do when burned completely out except when starting fires with them.

IMG_0273.jpg



The lifeboat matches I have lit so far from this bottle have all flared for at least ten seconds. However,as a note on these matches, while they will light and and flare very hot and very brightly even in a wind they will not ignite the the stem in a breeze but they will ignite the stem when out of the wind. I've yet to test their other claim on immersion.


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The Brazil nuts will not light in this position with a match, perhaps with a lighter but it would use up a lot of fuel. They have to be turned on there side nearly upside down to light well.

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and as this photo shows they need to get going good before being turned upright in order to burn continuously.

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But if you let them get started good before turning them upright they will burn well and actually burn quite brightly with a larger flame than most candles albeit a somewhat orange flame.

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I have yet to see just how long they will burn as they do put off a little smoke, and my wife finds the smell annoying lol. I'll burn some all the way down while she is gone :D
 
I was just about to ask about the smell, since those pics are inside. ;)

I have some model trains that burn oil to make simulated chimney smoke. My wife gets quite upset when I run these, even when in the basement, so I bet she'd be unhappy with burning Brazil nuts too, heheh.
 
The REAL Commander said:
I was just about to ask about the smell, since those pics are inside. ;)

I have some model trains that burn oil to make simulated chimney smoke. My wife gets quite upset when I run these, even when in the basement, so I bet she'd be unhappy with burning Brazil nuts too, heheh.
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Hahahaha wives can interfere with nearly as much as children can can't they.

Lol, never suggested it as a decoration or incense just as one possible means of firestarting or as a possible means for emergency lighting. I like having options.

Speaking of options...if nothing else is available croutons are a good option for tinder. The two brands I use most burn quite well.

mmmmmcroutonsgreatfirestarters.jpg


They flame really good.
Croutonsburngreat.jpg



and even burn in the wind
Croutonburninginthewind.jpg
 
Now I know what to do with all the junk food my room mate has stashed around if there is an emergency. I love mixed nuts, always wondered how well some would work as tinder.

Heber
 
wildmanh said:
Now I know what to do with all the junk food my room mate has stashed around if there is an emergency. I love mixed nuts, always wondered how well some would work as tinder.

Heber
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Lol, see...junk food can be a good thing at times!!
 
You guys have way too much will power. Those nuts wouldn't survive 3 s in my hands.
 
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