How to Make a Fire With Piston Sparks

Create sparks for a fire with a piston fire starter.

Starting a fire in many survival or emergency situations can be essential. From both a practical and psychological perspective, fire is a priority. The ability to make a fire often comes down to what is available to make a spark. Most survival experts recommend that at least two means of starting a fire be packed so that if one fails there will be a backup. A fire piston is a good fire starter as it is simple to use, compact and not impacted by moisture.

Things You'll Need

• Fire piston
• Tinder
• Small nail
• Twigs, branches and wood

Instructions

1. Form a tinder bundle. Use dry grass, fiber from beneath tree bark, cotton balls or even lint. Form a bundle that is about three-to-four inches across and make an indention in the center so that the bundle resembles a bird's nest.

2. Remove the piston from the piston tube and locate the tinder hole. The tinder hole will be located at the end of the plunger. Place a small piece of char cloth or another easily combustible material in the hole.

3. Apply a small amount of petroleum jelly on the O-ring as a lubricant to the piston. Slightly insert the piston into the piston tube. It is important that the tinder remain in the tinder hole and is not dislodged at this point.

4. Rapidly push down on the end of the piston with a firm motion and be prepared for a small flash if the light is dim or dark. The flash will be caused by ignited and expanding gases and will indicate the successful creation of a spark and the lighting of the tinder.

5. Pull the piston from the tube with a smooth motion--it is important that the tinder not be dislodged. Position the end of the piston over the tinder bundle. Push a small nail or stick through the tinder hole to dislodge the lit tinder (or ember) so it will drop into the tinder bundle.

6. Pick up the tinder bundle and look for the spark or signs of smoke. Provide oxygen to the fledgling fire by gently blowing onto the bundle. Continue to work with the ember until the tinder flames. Place the burning tinder on the ground and begin adding gradually larger tinder, twigs and wood to the fire as it grows.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider removing the combustible material from the tinder hole when lubricating the O-ring of the piston. This will allow you to run the plunger up and down the tube without dislodging the tinder.

• If a spark or ember is not produced after the piston is depressed, it will be necessary to purge the tube. Remove the tube, clear the tinder hole and blow air into the tube. Run the piston up and down the tube several times to introduce oxygen into the bottom of the tube and evacuate any remaining gases.

References

• History and Primitive Technology page: The Fire Piston - Ancient Fire Making Machine
• Fire Poppers: How to Use a Fire Piston