Types of Tinder

January 18th, 2009

In previous articles, How to Start a Fire, Part I and How to Start a Fire, Part II, I taught you the different types of wood to help gradually build a fire, as well as how to start a spark and light the wood. Tinder is the most important part of building a fire because, in most cases, it is the only type of wood that can catch the spark you create and catch fire. Here are types of tinder that you can use to start the fire:

1) Moss - Dead, dry moss is sufficient enough to start a fire. You can find moss growing in tree trunks or boggy ground.

2) Dry Grass - Dry grass will quickly catch a spark.

3) Dead Leaves – Dry, dead leaves can be found roughly anywhere. You can use them as a whole, or crumble them into small pieces for use.

4) Fungus - Shelf fungus, which can be found on trees, has a waterproof outer skin and a very soft inner-flesh. It is very dry and fluffy, which can make it excellent to use as tinder. However, you would probably need to cut off the outer-skin with a knife in order to get to the soft inside tissue.

5) Bark - The inside of bark is dry. If you carve away the wet outer-part or look where insects have burrowed into the wood will create dry sawdust, making it good to use for tinder.

6) Rotten Wood - Rotten wood can be used as tinder also, wherever you can find it.

(Source: McManners, Hugh. The Complete Wilderness Training Book. 1994.)