Is Vaseline A Good Fire Starter?

Petroleum jelly, commonly known by the brand name Vaseline, can be an effective fire starter due to its waxy texture and high flammability. The petroleum base of Vaseline makes it easy to ignite and allows it to burn steadily. Preparing Vaseline fire starters involves combining Vaseline with a wick or other flammable material to help ignite and sustain the flame. With proper preparation, Vaseline fire starters can be an inexpensive and reliable option for starting campfires, wood stoves, charcoal grills, and other outdoor fires. This content will provide an overview of how to make and use Vaseline as an effective fire starter.

Properties of Vaseline

Vaseline is made of petroleum jelly, also known as mineral oil or petrolatum, which is a mixture of hydrocarbons derived from petroleum (source). Although petroleum jelly itself is not flammable, it can act as an accelerant when used with flammable materials like cotton. When soaked into cotton balls, Vaseline helps the cotton fibers burn longer and hotter.

Vaseline melts at temperatures between 98-113°F depending on the specific formulation (source). This low melting point allows it to melt quickly when exposed to a flame or other heat source. As the Vaseline melts, it releases the stored chemical energy from the hydrocarbons and ignites the cotton. The melted Vaseline also helps the fire spread across the cotton by wicking into the fibers.

Advantages of Using Vaseline

Vaseline has some key advantages that make it an ideal fire starter ingredient in many situations:

It’s readily available and inexpensive. Vaseline can be easily purchased at most drugstores, grocery stores, big box stores, and convenience stores for just a few dollars. Having an abundant and affordable supply makes it a practical choice.

Vaseline fire starters will work even when wet. The petroleum jelly helps repel water and enables the Vaseline-soaked material to light even in damp conditions. This makes Vaseline fire starters extremely versatile for outdoor use.

Vaseline helps materials like cotton balls burn slowly and consistently. The petroleum jelly acts as an accelerant while also helping sustain the burn. This gives more control over the fire and extends the burn time.

With these useful properties, it’s easy to see why Vaseline is a top choice for many people looking to make homemade and reliable fire starters on a budget.

Preparing Vaseline Fire Starters

To prepare Vaseline fire starters, you’ll need petroleum jelly (Vaseline) and a flammable tinder material like cotton balls or dryer lint. The most common method is to combine petroleum jelly with cotton balls, as described in this guide from Rambin’ Jim (Using Petroleum Jelly Cotton Balls as a Fire Starter).

Start by putting a scoop of petroleum jelly into a snack-sized plastic bag. Then add cotton balls until the bag is full. Seal the bag completely and knead it to distribute the petroleum jelly evenly among the cotton balls, coating each one. This ensures the cotton absorbs the petroleum jelly evenly and makes it highly flammable.

You can shape the Vaseline-soaked cotton balls in a few ways. For portable fire starters, form them into compact cubes or logs and wrap in plastic wrap, aluminum foil or wax paper. Store in an airtight plastic container or bag. You can also shape them into single-use “eggs” about the size of a large marble. Store those in a plastic egg carton for safe transport.

The same method works for dryer lint. Simply add petroleum jelly to a bag filled with lint, knead until coated, and shape or store for later use. Prepare your Vaseline fire starters well in advance of when you’ll need them.

Using Vaseline Fire Starters

When using Vaseline cotton balls as fire starters, it’s important to follow proper lighting techniques for safety and effectiveness.1 Light the cotton ball at the tip since this is where the Vaseline has wicked up. Use a long match or lighter to avoid burning your fingers. Hold the flame to the cotton tip until it ignites, then gently blow on it to encourage the flames. As the Vaseline melts, it will soak into the cotton and act as fuel to keep the fire going.

Safety should always be the top priority when lighting any fire.1 Only use Vaseline fire starters in appropriate fire pits or containers. Have a bucket of water or fire extinguisher on hand. Do not leave the fire unattended, and fully extinguish any remains after use. Avoid using Vaseline fire starters if conditions are excessively windy or there are burn bans in effect. The Vaseline and cotton can flow and spread quickly if not contained properly. Children should not handle Vaseline fire starters without adult supervision. With proper precautions, Vaseline cotton balls can be an effective and convenient fire starting aid.

Real-World Testing and Results

Several sources have conducted documented tests on the effectiveness of Vaseline as a fire starter, providing quantitative data on key metrics.

According to tests by Ramblin Jim, a single cotton ball coated in Vaseline will burn strong for around 4 minutes, providing a good source of hot flame in a compact package. He notes that 4 minutes of flame from such a small starter is impressive (source).

More extensive testing comes from The Prepared forum, where user Matt Black tested 8 different methods of making cotton ball and Vaseline fire starters. He found that combining Vaseline with cotton balls in a 1:1 ratio by weight, and then letting them cure for 48 hours before use, produced the longest burn time of 10 minutes (source).

These tests demonstrate that Vaseline-infused cotton balls can sustain a hot flame for significantly longer than plain cotton balls, making them an effective and lightweight fire starting aid.

Alternatives to Vaseline

While Vaseline is an inexpensive and effective fire starter, there are some alternatives worth considering:

Other petroleum-based products like paraffin wax or lighter fluid can be substituted for Vaseline. These are also hydrophobic and long-burning. However, Vaseline may be more readily available and cost effective.

Some natural alternatives include using beeswax, pine resin, or even lard/animal fat. These can be paired with cotton balls or other tinder. Beeswax in particular burns slowly and works well. The downside is these may be more expensive or harder to find than plain Vaseline.

You can also make homemade fire starters by combining sawdust, wax, and other ingredients like egg cartons. These homemade versions allow you to customize the materials. But it takes more time and effort than just using store-bought Vaseline.

Ultimately, while other waxes and homemade versions work, Vaseline remains a top choice for convenience, availability, effectiveness, and cost. The petroleum jelly is tried and true for survivalists and preppers when making fire starters.

Downsides and Limitations

While Vaseline cotton balls can be an effective fire starter, there are some downsides and limitations to be aware of.

One key downside is that Vaseline-soaked cotton balls are not ideal for long-term storage and use. The petroleum jelly can dry out over time or become absorbed into the cotton, reducing its effectiveness. For a fire starter you plan to keep on hand for more than 6-12 months, other options like wax-coated cotton balls may be better.

There are also some potential environmental concerns with extensive use of petroleum-based products like Vaseline. If not disposed of properly, the non-biodegradable petroleum jelly could contaminate soil or waterways. This may not be a big concern for occasional personal use, but for larger-scale use it’s worth considering more eco-friendly alternatives.

Additionally, Vaseline-soaked cotton balls burn quickly and intensely. While this can be useful for igniting tinder and kindling, it provides a short-duration flame that may not be suitable for all fire-starting needs. For extended fire-lighting ability, products designed specifically as fire starters tend to perform better.

So in summary, the key downsides and limitations are a lack of suitability for long-term storage, potential environmental impacts, and a short, intense burn time. Vaseline cotton balls have their uses as an improvised fire starter, but may not be the best choice in all situations.

Best Practices and Recommendations

When using Vaseline cotton balls as fire starters, there are some important safety tips and best practices to follow:

Always keep Vaseline fire starters away from children and pets, as they can be a choking hazard. Only adults should handle Vaseline fire starters.

Store Vaseline fire starters in a sealed plastic bag or watertight container. This prevents them from drying out over time. According to testing from The Prepared, Vaseline fire starters can still light after 6 months of storage.

Have a bucket of water or fire extinguisher on hand whenever using Vaseline fire starters, in case the fire spreads unexpectedly. Do not leave Vaseline fire starters unattended.

Vaseline fire starters work best with dry tinder and kindling. Make sure your fire pit or campfire setup is not damp before using Vaseline fire starters.

Only need 1-2 Vaseline cotton balls to start a fire. Use sparingly and avoid overdoing it. The petroleum jelly provides a long-burning flame.

The compact size and slow-burning flame make Vaseline cotton balls ideal for survival kits, bug out bags, hiking, camping, and emergency preparedness.

Conclusion

In summary, Vaseline does have properties that make it effective as a fire starter in certain scenarios, but it also has some limitations. The main advantages of Vaseline is that it is inexpensive, easy to find, and burns readily when ignited. Preparing homemade fire starters by coating things like cotton balls or dryer lint with Vaseline can be a simple way to help start a campfire or fireplace fire.

However, Vaseline burns quickly and may not last long enough to fully ignite larger pieces of firewood. It also melts easily, so is not well-suited for long-term storage in hot environments. And alternatives like commercial fire starter waxes and chemical starter blocks may be more reliable.

Overall, Vaseline can be a decent fire starter option for occasional use, but likely works better as a backup option rather than a primary fire starting method. With careful preparation and proper usage technique, it can aid in igniting fires, but has limitations compared to more heavy-duty commercial fire starting products.