How To Use Our Tinder Tabs

Whether you're lighting a campfire, getting a wood stove going, or building a fire in an emergency, Hellfire Tinder Tabs make it dead simple. Here's how to get the most out of them.

STEP 1: FLUFF IT UP

Pull a tab out of the bag and fluff up one end. You want to pull the fibers apart so they're loose and airy — think cotton ball, not hockey puck. The fluffier it is, the easier it catches a spark.

If you'd rather, break the tab in half and fluff up the exposed middle. Same idea — more surface area means faster ignition.

STEP 2: LIGHT IT

You've got options here, and that's the whole point.

Spark wheel: Point the arrows on the spark wheel towards the tinder tab. Hold the wheel close to the fluffed fibers and spin it with your thumb. A few strikes and you'll have flame. If you are having trouble with it igniting, try fluffing it up more. Think cotton candy, whispy and fuzzy is best for this method. 

Ferro rod: Scrape your ferro rod directly onto the fluffed section. The sparks will catch immediately.

Lighter: The easiest option. Touch the flame to the fluffed end and you're done.

Fresnel lens: On a sunny day, focus the beam onto the fluffed fibers. Takes patience but it works — and it's one more backup in your kit.

Allow the tinder tab to catch fully before proceeding to the fire building stage. It should have a large flame as pictured below.

STEP 3: BUILD YOUR FIRE

Once the tab is lit, you've got 5+ minutes of steady flame. That's plenty of time to build up from kindling to fuel wood. Place your kindling around and above the burning tab, you can throw a handful right on top of it just be careful not to put the flame out. 

Once the kindling has sufficiently took a flame, and the flames are burning higher than the kindling, its time to start adding larger pieces of wood.

Work your way up, let your medium sized sticks establish a good solid flame before adding your larger sustainment fuel. A good rule of thumb always is that the flames should be higher than the last fuel you added to the fire before you add more fuel or you risk smothering it. 

Finally add your larger pieces/sustainment fuel. Add logs as needed to keep your fire comfortably burning.

TIPS

• In wet conditions, fluff up a dry section from the middle of the tab. Even if the outside got damp, the inside stays dry. It will dry itself out as it burns.
  - One tab is usually enough for a full campfire. In extreme cold or wet conditions, use two.
  - Store your tabs in the included tin to keep them protected in your pack.
• -Take the time to sort your wood before you start, one pile of pencil and marker sized twigs to get the fire started, a pile of broomsticks and baseball bats to really get it going, and larger split logs and thick branches for sustainment fuel to keep it going.