Steel Wool and a Battery to start a BBQ!!!

[WiseOwl]

http://youtu.be/moae_chfBxE

Well I have heard every "expert" talk about this so I found an old cell battery and tried it. First, you gotta use the fine steel wool, the coarse will not work, or at least I could not get it to work. I had a good 20 mins of video with my AWESOME commentary but the iPhone wouldn't export in a format for me to edit in my editor. Anywho, you can see that this can be done......with a cell battery. You can also use a 9Volt battery and it sparks a whole lot quicker.

[EX121]

I've done this with 2 AA batteries from my gps, taped together. So the real lesson from this is don't rely on this as your 'primary' fire starting method. But remember that if you find yourself without a 'normal' means of striking a fire that you may be able to get on going with a small spark.
Also if you practice starting fires with primative or unusual methods then you should have and easier time starting a fire using those same type of preperations when using matches, etc.

[WiseOwl]

You got that right. I feel like I am Magneto the way I have mastered the magnesium striker.

[qrprat77]

I've learned one important thing by making fire with a magnesium stick/striker/alternative means:

Carry a butane lighter, make sure it's filled.
Every day.
:)
(Still carry the magnesium stick though.)

[EX121]

qrprat yes practice,practice practice, but I disagree slighlty (who's been taking on-line poles) on the lighter, at altitude out here in the PNW they don't work (gas pressure set for sea level). Also my opinion simpler is better I go for matches in a waterproof container but I do have cheap lighters in some of my kits as a back-up. O
Make sure that the match container can be opened with cold fingers during cold weather as some metal ones expand & contract with weather changes, making it feel as if the screw cap is welded on.