on_the_edge
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2006
- Messages
- 11,801
Inspired by all the recent threads with a pyro slant, I decided to test a few optional fire-starting “recipes” to see simply which package would burn the longest. While there were no scientifically measured amounts, I did try to be as visually equal in making my packages as I could be. In other words, when applicable, I tried to use the same amount of tape, cotton, and PJ. The only difference between some of the packages then was the additional ingredient. Here are my results in approximate minutes and seconds:
Tinder Quik Fire Tabs – 1:15
Cotton ball wrapped in duct tape (no PJ) – 3:05
Cotton ball wrapped in duct tape with PJ – 6:45
Cotton ball wrapped in duct tape with PJ and fatwood shavings – 8:30
Cotton ball wrapped in duct tape with PJ and Maya dust – 8:05
Cotton ball wrapped in duct tape with PJ and magnesium shavings – 5:15
Again, these are just the approximate times. My suspicion is that maybe the one with magnesium shavings burned hotter, but I had no way of measuring that. And while the fatwood shavings package and the Maya Dust package were similarly close in time, the one with the Maya dust was clearly and easily the largest fire for the duration. It was like the whole thing was burning the whole time, rather than just a portion burning until the package was eventually consumed.
As I said before, this was anything but scientific. Still, I’d be interested to know if someone else tries this and gets drastically different results. BTW, the method of igntion was a Koster bushcraft with a ferro rod. They all also ignited with similar ease - 1 to 3 strikes - differences in my eyes being attributed to me.
Tinder Quik Fire Tabs – 1:15
Cotton ball wrapped in duct tape (no PJ) – 3:05
Cotton ball wrapped in duct tape with PJ – 6:45
Cotton ball wrapped in duct tape with PJ and fatwood shavings – 8:30
Cotton ball wrapped in duct tape with PJ and Maya dust – 8:05
Cotton ball wrapped in duct tape with PJ and magnesium shavings – 5:15
Again, these are just the approximate times. My suspicion is that maybe the one with magnesium shavings burned hotter, but I had no way of measuring that. And while the fatwood shavings package and the Maya Dust package were similarly close in time, the one with the Maya dust was clearly and easily the largest fire for the duration. It was like the whole thing was burning the whole time, rather than just a portion burning until the package was eventually consumed.
As I said before, this was anything but scientific. Still, I’d be interested to know if someone else tries this and gets drastically different results. BTW, the method of igntion was a Koster bushcraft with a ferro rod. They all also ignited with similar ease - 1 to 3 strikes - differences in my eyes being attributed to me.
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