Where are those blessed times when most groceries were wrapped in newsprint? What can you do if there’s no firestarter around, or you simply don’t want to spend ages fiddling with the fire?
The solution is simpler than you think. Take a look at your food. If you brought along a bag of chips (for your barbecue or just as a snack), the problem is solved!
Corn chips work best — they contain more oil and have a porous structure, so they catch fire almost instantly. But any other kind will do: potato chips, straw‑shaped snacks, croutons, roasted nuts. Most of these snacks contain enough oil and that certain “chemistry” to ignite like hellfire and help you get even damp wood burning.
Important detail: chips burn brightly but quickly. So first, prepare your fire pit: stack the wood in a tepee or log‑cabin style, place some small dry twigs, birch bark, or kindling inside. Then add a handful of chips to that tinder — this way the flame will have time to transfer to the firewood.
You might run into trouble if the chips are too “natural” — without additives and with minimal oil. But where would you find such these days? You’ll be shopping at a regular supermarket, not at some organic farm.
By the way, if you don’t have chips, you can also use the empty bag: the inner side is often coated with foil or oiled paper, which burns reasonably well. But the chips themselves are, of course, more reliable.
Just remember to stay safe: don’t try pouring lighter fluid onto the chips at the same time — it’s unnecessary. And always make sure the fire stays within your fire pit.
Next guide: Proper Nutrition on Hike - Foundation of Endurance and Good Mood Previous guide: How to Properly Build and Maintain a Fire While Camping You can view the full list here: Survival Guides for the Mountains
