A campfire can serve as a gathering place at the end of the day, a source of heat to stay warm, and a means of preparing food. For many people, you’re not camping unless you have a fire during your adventure.
However, getting a fire going can be incredibly frustrating and stressful unless you’ve got your Eagle Scout badge. If you’re tired of struggling to get your campfire started, consider investing in campfire starters before your next trip.
What Are Campfire Starters?
Campfire starters come in various materials, but all serve the same purpose – to help you start a fire. You can typically find these in your favorite big-box retailer’s camping aisle, or you can make them yourself. They’re highly flammable materials packaged together to help ensure a long and hot burning flame.
Starting with campfire starters can help ensure the kindling and smaller pieces of wood quickly and easily ignite so you can begin adding larger pieces of wood onto your fire. Even though you’ll have the help of campfire starters, you can’t rush the process.
Take your time and avoid trying to start a fire in the rain or windy conditions.
What Is a Good Natural Fire Starter?
One of the best natural fire starters is dryer lint. It’s extremely dry and made of fibers that can easily ignite. If you have a clothes dryer easily accessible, it’s a good idea to start throwing your dryer lint into a baggy instead of the trash can. This can help ensure you have plenty of natural fire starters for your next trip.
Another great natural fire starter is sawdust. The wood used in a woodshop is very dry and flammable. Instead of sweeping or vacuuming up the sawdust and putting it into the trash, collect plenty of it and use coffee filters or another flammable material to create a small pouch of the sawdust.
These can create DIY fire starters from materials you likely already have lying around the house.
What Should Be in a Fire Starter Kit?
The key to a fire starter is a highly flammable material. If you’re planning to cook any foods over the fire, you’ll want to use a natural or safe fire starter. You want one that will burn long enough to help get your fire going.
Bring a lighter or other means of igniting your fire starter kit once you get to your campsite. Most fire starter kits you purchase will only come with the fuel to start the fire. You don’t want to get to the campsite and discover you have no way of starting your fire.
Pro Tip: Use our guide on How to Build the Perfect Campfire to heat up your campsite.
The 5 Best Campfire Starters for Fall 2022
If you want to improve your chances of having a smooth camping experience, stock up on campfire starters. Don’t wait until the last minute to run to your favorite retailer. We’ve found five of the best campfire starters we think are worth using on your next outing. Let’s take a look!
1. All Natural Fire Starters
About: These all natural fire starters (Light a Fire) are great for campfires. You can buy a packet of 30 pods that contain sawdust and food-grade wax. Because the wax and materials are safe, you won’t smell or taste the fire starters in any food you cook over the fire.
Each pod burns for 10 to 15 minutes, which is plenty of time to burn your kindling and ensure you have a beautiful campfire.
Price: $17 to $25
2. Melt Candle Company Fire Starter
About: The Melt Candle Company’s fire starter bricks use a mixture of sawdust and wax. These fire starters are so incredible that they’ll even burn for about 10 minutes in damp conditions. They’re lightweight and easy to carry with you just about anywhere.
One box comes with 160 squares, which is easily enough for an entire camping season for most campers. These are odorless and mess-free, the perfect combination for anyone tired of messy alternatives.
Price: $10 to $15
3. Rutland Products Safe Lite Fire Starter Squares
About: Rutland Products offers the Safe Lite fire starter squares. These come in a pack of 24, and since it only takes one or two squares to start a fire, you’ll have enough for several camping trips. They’re made from recycled wood chips and wax.
You can have a crackling fire in minutes without worrying about adding flavors to your food. These are excellent options for both indoor and outdoor fireplaces, wood stoves, or a fire pit.
Price: $5 to $10
4. Duraflame Firestart Indoor/Outdoor Firelighters
About: Duraflame is one of the most recognized names regarding campfire starters. Their Firelighters come in a 12 pack, and starting a campfire couldn’t possibly be easier. Simply ignite the entire bag containing a single Firelighter.
The bag will burn for up to 30 minutes, but you’ll have a roaring fire in a fraction of that time. Because they stay wrapped in the package, you don’t have to worry about water getting onto them no matter where you store them.
Price: $15 to $20
5. Fire Starter Waterproof Odorless Safe for Indoor/Outdoor
About: These waterproof fire starters come in a box of 50 pieces. They’re perfect for starting your campfire, BBQ, or other situation where you need a flame. Use one or two fire starters when needed; they’ll burn for 10 minutes each.
The fire starters are made from tumbleweeds, which creates an odorless and tasteless experience when used. They’re all-natural and eco-friendly, which ensures you help you to take care of nature while relaxing in it responsibly.
Price: $17 to $22
Pro Tip: Make starting a campfire easy with one of these Portable Propane Fire Pits.
Are Campfire Starters Worth It?
Campfire starters are worth their weight in gold. Sure, you can show off your survival skills by creating fire out of nothing, but it will take much longer and require much more effort. Why not spend less time starting your fire and more time doing the things you enjoy while camping?
We think campfire starters are essential items. So make sure you stock up and have plenty before you head out for your next camping trip!
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