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Backpacker Magazine – May 2008

Reader Tips: Big Burn

Need to start a fire fast? Try a flammable cupcake.

by: J.M., Stafford, Virginia

Photo by Christina Kiffney

1

Photo by Christina Kiffney

My favorite firestarter is a mini paper cupcake holder filled with sawdust and coated with candle wax. They light with one match and create a six-inch flame for up to 15 minutes.

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READERS COMMENTS

The cupcakes are a little heavy, but worth it if you set up camp in a wet location. The cakes burn long enough and hot enough to dry out a good size bundle of twigs, just enough to get some heavier fuel burning.
Posted: Jun 19, 2008 Matt

The "Big Burn" cupcake looks pretty heavy. I always carry a small plastic container filled with Olive oil, and add a little to each dinner's entre for taste & calories. But, if I need a fire I saturate a couple of cotton balls & light them. It makes a great flame for about 5-10 minutes. This works better than Vaseline because Vaseline only covers the outside of the cotton balls & the flame dies faster.
Posted: Jun 17, 2008 Jonah Johnson

Or you can substitute dryer lint for the sawdust and it works great too.
Posted: Jun 14, 2008 Mat Rieske

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