According to Luke Mongrain, a park ranger and a trained wildland firefighter with the Maryland Park Service, and Hunter Johnson, founder and CEO of The Camping Buddy, the best fire starter for your needs varies depending on your location and climate. For outdoor and camping use, “Try and use naturally found burnable materials, like fatwood," Mongrain says. Typically, lighter fluids are reserved for charcoal grills; but, he adds, “Most campfires are started without the use of propellants.” To choose the best fire starters, for indoor or outdoor needs, we considered a range of scenarios in which they’d be useful, including fireplace, grill, and beyond. Our top all-around choice, Billy Buckskin Co. Fatwood Fire Starter Sticks, brims with natural fire-stoking capabilities, thanks to its resiny, sap-heavy nature. Moreover, it suffices in myriad scenarios, both indoor and outdoor. Here are the best fire starters. Once lit, these fire starters burn long enough to create an impressive heat source, typically around 10-20 minutes. Due to their natural composure, some may take slightly longer to light than others, albeit not to a degree that subtracts from user friendliness. Outdoors, we love that Billy Buckskin Fatwood Fire Starters are impervious to inclement weather and can be used in all outdoor and indoor conditions. As a bonus, the resin content is known to keep bugs at bay, making it a great option for the outdoors. One note on indoor use, however: Due to these pieces’ resin-rich nature, they often emit black smoke. While this is not dangerous, it can pose a potential issue if you’re using them indoors, say, in a fireplace. That said, most fireplaces typically account for smoke and soot residue. You can buy these fatwood sticks in large boxes of varying weights, ranging from 10 to 50 pounds. Since this fire starter requires a mere two sticks per lighting, a 50-pound box should last you quite awhile. Price at time of publish: $33 This stylish, beautifully designed fire starter, available in three hues, is an excellent gift for those who appreciate an elegant way to start a fire. It’s super-durable, thanks to its anodized aluminum body, which withstands all weather conditions without corroding. The ferro rod inside is replaceable, which means you don’t have to buy an entirely new tool once the rod has worn out. Which it shouldn’t do anytime after your purchase, since the manufacturer rates it to start 5,000 fires. With a diameter of 5/16 inch, a length of less than 5 inches, and a weight of just over 1 ounce, this is a super transportable option, making it perfect not only for your home’s hearth but also for carrying on a hiking or camping trip. It also contains room to store tinder. We note that the product lacks a striker; however, it’s easy enough to use the edge of a knife or another sharp object to spark a fire in seconds. Price at time of publish: $27 This fire starter is incredibly easy to use: Simply dump the contents of one pod (the package contains 40) into a burgeoning fire, light it up, and watch your fire dance within mere seconds. While the product is advertised as non-smoking, it can, in fact, create a bit of smoke in certain scenarios. That said, we don’t consider this factor a deterrent.The set comes with a sturdy steel bucket, which is reusable and useful in many outdoorsy scenarios. It’s worth noting that sawdust can be messy at times, so make sure you secure your goods prior to throwing them in your car or backpack. Price at time of publish: $20 This set contains 15 of these practically magical matches. Depending on your perspective, they are an excellent deal given their durability and quality; or on the pricier side compared with most matches. This kit also comes with a carrying case, which is more durable than the matches it holds. Made from rigid, lightweight plastic, the case floats in water, making it easy to retrieve in any situation (such as if you and your backpack end up in a stream!). The bright-orange hue also adds visibility, so this handy match set is rather difficult to lose. Moreover, it’s also equipped with a lanyard hole, making it simple to port around with you at all times. Price at time of publish: $15 Besides growing your fire rapidly, these cones—ranging in size from a tablespoon to a can of peas—add a glorious array of blues, greens, and reds to your fireplace for approximately 15 minutes. They’re just the thing for entertaining, family nights, and even last-minute gifts for virtually anyone who has a fireplace. The cones are conveniently packaged, too. The pine cones are designed also to be used in wood stoves, campfires, and fire pits. However, the manufacturer warns that you shouldn’t use them in gas fireplaces or pellet stoves. Price at time of publish: $24 It heats up in a mere minute to an incredibly hot 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit. Its aluminum heat shield aids in quick cool-down once you’re done using the device. We also like that the Looft Lighter doesn’t rely on lighter fluid—it’s powered by clean, superheated air—reducing its fire risk. This also means it emits no carbon dioxide. While this device is on the pricier side compared with some other fire starter tools and methods, it is incredibly durable and should last for years. Price at time of publish: $70 For all these reasons, they’re a good option to use for fire pits located around stomping grounds of pets and kids. Moreover, should someone want to break out the hot dogs and s’mores, these wood wool nuggets afford you the flexibility to let ‘em: They’re certified food safe. (In fact, we’ve found that wood wool can even enhance the flavor of food.) This box of 24 wood wool pieces is an excellent value. Plus, unlike some other fire pit tools and fuels, they are super lightweight, portable, and take up scant storage space. You need a source to light them, but that can be as simple as a lighter or household matches. Price at time of publish: $15 You get a “summer blend”—ideal for outdoor temperatures of up to 110 degrees Fahrenheit—and a “winter blend,” which performs beautifully in temperatures as low as minus-20 degrees Fahrenheit. This set also contains one tin of “eco blend” putty, created from 100 percent renewable sources. All five of the putties, despite their slight nuances, can withstand rain and snow. They work wonderfully with wet wood, too. We have noted that this product can emit unpleasant smoke. Nevertheless, these compact tins of fire-starting putty are perfectly transportable and reliable, making them a great pick for outdoor adventures. Price at time of publish: $28 When you’re camping or out in nature for a hike, “Try to stick with natural materials whenever possible,” advises Luke Mongrain, a park ranger and a trained wildland firefighter with the Maryland Park Service. “Typically, chemicals are more volatile and dangerous if not handled properly,” he says.
Ignition Style
While matches and lighters may be great for indoor use, Johnson notes, they’re small and thus easy to lose on outdoor excursions. Moreover, they may not suffice in windy, rainy weather. If you plan to use a fire starter that requires plugging in, be sure you have a nearby power source.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Sophie Wirt, a New York City-based writer and editor, has been penning product reviews, interviews, and investigative pieces since 2015. For this article, she considered a range of fire starters in an array of categories, carefully assessing each for burn time, weather resistance, portability, and best use-case scenario. She also tapped into two outdoor experts—Hunter Johnson, founder and CEO of The Camping Buddy, and Luke Mongrain, a park ranger and a trained firefighter with the Maryland Park Service. Before using a fire starter inside, always check whether your manufacturer states that its product is safe for indoor use. Likewise, some indoor fire starters may not be sufficient for outdoor use, as they may not be weather-resistant, unlike many outdoor-specific fire starters. With many fire starters, however, you can add more as needed. For example, if you use an all-natural ball of wood and wax, you can add more as needed if your fire begins to die down. Matches typically have a shorter burn time than other options, like putties and wood. But they can be useful, portable options that are easy to carry and strike in most situations.
