Survival firestarter - dryer lint and vaseline tinder ball

http://www.survival-gear-guide.com

Dryer Lint and petroleum jelly (Vaseline) rolled into a ball makes a great long lasting tinder ball. I call them "Vasolint balls". They'll burn for 10 minutes or so.

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• fire starter
• fire building

[Kirstenlmsw135]

I think that if you pinched the ball a bit and made a piece stick out, it would be easier to light with one match or with firesteel. Like it's easier to light the edge of a piece of paper than the middle. What do you think?

[brassdropper]

@Kirstenlmsw135 I think that would be a fine Idea.

[wheelori814]

if i made some of those up today, and put them into a zip lock bag, how long do you think they will be good for?

[brassdropper]

@wheelori814 - Thats a good question. I'm not sure of the effects that the petroleum jelly might have on the plastic zip lock bag over a long time period, possible it could break down the plastic ? Not sure. However even if the petroleum jelly "dries up".... which would take a long time, the drier lint will light without it, it just wont burn as long so you would want to have some good tinder ready to go when you throw the spark to it.

[brassdropper]

@wheelori814 - If you want a better long term option, fill the ziploc bag with dryer lint and a tube of or other sealed container of vaseline. Make your firestarters as you need them.

[survivingwilderniss]

will it also light with a firsteel?

[brassdropper]

@survivingwilderniss Yes, it will.

[ppclicpl]

If you are worried about storing them in a plastic container then find metal containers.

[miguest66]

@wheelori814 You could also store them in those small plastic bottles prescription meds come in.

[BlazingFerret]

@brassdropper "possible it could break down the plastic ? "

Possible, though using the heavier freezer bags might last a bit longer.

Also, if you use most of a jar of Vaseline to make these balls anyhow, why not just empty the thing and use it to store the vasolint balls? At least we know it wouldn't break down from the Vaseline.

Any particular lint-to-jelly ratio? I assume cotton lint would work better than synthetic, tho I doubt I could recognize them in lint form anyhow.

[ANDYKilla1]

vaso lint lol

[wheelori814]

@brassdropper thanks! That was what i planned on doing, but thought it might be good to have a bit ready in case we accidentally get caught with our pants down (so to speak).