UST WetFire Tinder with Lightweight, Compact Design, Individual Packaging and 5 Year Shelf Life for Hiking, Backpacking, Camping and Outdoor Survival
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Wetfire tinder is for starting a fire; while Esbit might suffice, it's more likely that it's for cooking. This Wetfire tinder is exceptional in its ability to start a fire. It burns extremely hot, whether wet or dry, and contains a greater number of chemicals. I've used them to start fires on the AT and other backpacking trips, but because of the cost, I'd save them for true emergencies. That said, if you collect good, dry natural tinder (moss, birch bark, grasses, etc. ), you can make a fire with them. Scrape a little Wetfire onto your bundle and strike it with the ferro rod, lighter, or other means to help that tinder get nice and hot, because even a chunk of this stuff burns for a long time and easily takes a spark. br>br>The main reason I don't recommend opening it before an emergency is that it reduces the shelf life. If you have a five pack and plan on camping in the near future, open one and use small pieces of it for each fire; it will be fine. br>br>TLDR; NO, they aren't the same thing. Wetfire is for exponentially increasing the chance of a fire starting, which can also help with cooking in addition to providing heat. Esbit is for cooking. You can cook over an open fire, but a cooker does not always keep you warm.
Doug, I'm sorry, but I'm not sure. On my cross-country bike trip from Maine's east coast to Chicago via Montreal, I had two different types from a different company with me. Despite the fact that both cubes were roughly the same size, the other type lasted longer when I used it with my home-made tin-can holder. grill. The USD, on the other hand, is much better for starting a fire because it burns quickly. Break it up into small pieces and only use a small amount to start a fire; then use sappy wood in combination with dry leaves or whatever else you can find to keep the fire going. If it's not completely dry, you'll need more of the thinner to dry it out at the same time, at least in my experience. I sincerely hope that I was able to assist you. best wishes, Florian
The "UST Wet Fire Tinder, Pack of 5" contains five tinder starters, each individually wrapped.
It's an old technology, but soft paraffin wax and trioxane are still available in most army-supply stores. Esbit's "Trioxane Fuel Bars" are available for about $10 at navy surplus stores under their original name. As far as toxicity goes, it's safe to burn inhaling it. It may cause light headiness, but it's only toxic if ingested.
Selected User Reviews For UST WetFire Tinder with Lightweight, Compact Design, Individual Packaging and 5 Year Shelf Life for Hiking, Backpacking, Camping and Outdoor Survival
Having said that, I've never been unable to start a fire, even in the rain. But, man, these things allow me to be lazy and always get things done right the first time; plus, I take them backpacking and they're super light! I'd set aside $5. To nurse a difficult to light fire, I take 10 minutes and break up the twigs to get the perfect kindling and staging based on size, sometimes even having to use my knife and shave wood to get dry prices to begin with. But this stuff is so simple and foolproof that I could literally throw a bunch of sticks into a pile, light this underneath them, and walk away. It's taken all of the skill required to start a fire and then thrown gas on it. Lol. I'm addicted; they're far too simple and inexpensive to ignore.
I just wanted to let you know that I just returned from an extended trip. Sadly, all of the wood in the area had been soaked during the night. I went to the driest material I could find, but it was still wet- It was also hot and humid outside. I stacked some kindling and tinder, then dug through my pack for my OLD Wetfire tabs (which were well over 5 years old) and decided to put two in just to make sure I had a chance of starting the fire. a sliver of iron from my ferro- swoosh, swoosh, swoosh, swoosh Everything is in order. I only needed one cube, but I'm not sure what happens after they've been around for more than five years, as these have. So, after 5 years, I'm not sure how I feel about it. I'm leaning towards ten.
I took this product on a hiking trip and used it to start a few fires at my campsite; the key to using this product is to collect all of the shavings in a small pile that you can easily spark. A ferrocerium rod and striker were used, and they worked perfectly. br>br>I can't emphasize enough how critical it is to have the shavings of this fuel in a pile where you can get sparks directly onto. You'll need the extra surface area, and once you've got sparks on it, it should easily catch. All of the wood, fuel, and kindling I used were very dry, so I can't speak to using this to start a wet fire; however, if I ever find myself in a situation where I do use this to start a wet fire, I'll update my review.
These Wetfires are one of my favorites. Even in the snow and below-freezing temperatures, they've always performed admirably for me. Some people have complained that they don't work very well in their backcountry packs, snowmobile bags, Jeeps, first aid kits, hunting packs, and so on. br>br>Some people have complained that they don't work very well in their backcountry packs, snowmobile bags, Jeeps, first aid kits, hunting packs, and so on. It's almost certainly a case of human error. I've used these for a couple of years after their expiration date as long as their little bag is still sealed airtight (like a bag of chips before it pops). br>br>Test it at home in a controlled environment first, as you would any piece of survival gear, to set your expectations about its capabilities and limitations. Don't put it off until you're in the backcountry before giving it a shot.
These are fantastic. Starting a fire is the most difficult part, but these items make it a lot easier. To start a fire, you don't even need half of a packet. If you have even moderate weather and know how to build a fire, you could probably shave off a quarter or less and still have enough to get things started. br>br>In fact, the only thing that would improve it is if you had a small case or something to keep the packets in once you had partially used one of them. That is not a criticism of the product. You could prepare ahead of time if you wanted to. Shave some of this into an altoids container or other small container and pinch what you need to start a fire.
This tinder catches a spark very easily and burns for so long that it approaches trioxane, but I'm not convinced it's worth the price. Trioxane is, practically, about the same thing at 1/5 to 1/10 the price. br>br>It's generally very easy to use and is very water resistant, so it's probably worth getting some for your kit, especially if you plan to be out during storms, but there are better options if you're on a budget.
For this listing, they should update the description and photos. I had expected to receive five individually wrapped wet fire blocks. I received five loose chunks in ziplock baggies that appeared to have been cut off from larger pieces. Sketchy.
They're simple to use and light in weight. I would recommend them to anyone who is looking for a camp. Scrape a few shavings (the fewer the better). It's simple to light with ANY heat source, but not so simple that you're afraid to carry it. Works well with a dead lighter's spark, Flint, Magnesium Sparker, match, lighter, and so on. I am not an expert, but I enjoy being outside and camping. br>br>Though receiving a discount or free item in exchange for my honest review would be nice, I did not receive any. This is entirely dependent on me spending my money and providing an honest review.
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