How to make char cloth
Make your own char cloth to use with flint and steel fire lighting – it is super quick and easy to do.
Introduction
Char cloth (or charcloth) is used for making fires. It is a piece of fabric made from vegetable fibres (cotton, jute or linen). The material is converted via pyrolysis. It creates a slow-burning fuel which requires a relatively low temperature for ignition.
If the char cloth has been produced correctly it can be ignited by a single spark and is commonly used with a flint and steel or fire pistons. By blowing on the hot ember on the char cloth it can be used to ignite tinder to start a fire.
What you'll need
- fire burnt down to embers (see fires: building a cooking fire)
- cut pieces of fabric made from vegetable fibres such as cotton, jute or linen
- airtight lid and tin (a travel sweet tin is a good size)
- fire gloves and tongs
This activity has been provided by
Environmental Considerations
Consider the environmental impact of preparing, carrying out & completing this activity. Could this impact be reduced? Specific considerations for this activity could include:
- re-use old cotton items
- fire pit considerations
Health & Safety Considerations
Follow your usual operating procedures and carry out appropriate risk benefit assessments.
Some considerations particular to this activity include:
- fire safety (this activity needs to be done in a well ventilated space)
- handling hot objects
- char cloth has a low ignition point and is light so take care in in windy conditions that it doesn’t blow away (fire risk)
Step #1
Light your campfire and let it burn down to embers.
Prepare a tin that is big enough to fit your pieces of green wood in (a used travel sweet tin is a good size). Make a hole in the tin by hammering a nail through the lid.
Tip: to make the hole place the lid on a small block of wood. Hammer the nail through the lid into the wood then pull apart; this will stop the lid deforming.
Step #2
Cut up small pieces of cloth (needs to be 100% cotton). We used an old cardigan but pieces of jean material work well too.
Loosely fold then place the pieces of fabric into the tin.
Step #3
Put the lid on the tin.
Place the tin into the embers of the fire.
Step #4
White smoke will begin to come out of the hole in the lid; this will change to a vapour which will then be seen as a flame.
When the flaming has stopped remove the tin from the fire using fire gloves or tongs.
Plug the hole with a nail or similar to prevent oxygen entering the tin (optional).
Leave the tin to cool.
Step #5
Remove the lid and check out your char cloth. This can be kept in the tin ready for some fire lighting.
Disclaimer: Muddy Faces cannot take any responsibility for accidents or damage that occurs as a result of following this activity.You are responsible for making sure the activity is conducted safely.
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Key Features
- Age Range 6+
- Duration 1 - 2 Hours
- Location Anywhere
- Season Any
- Time of Day Anytime
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Categories:
Tool use & Traditional Crafts
fire craft
Fire, Shelters & Bushcraft
fire