Best Fire Piston (Explore This Little Known Firestarting Method)

Fire is a crucial component of survival. It can provide heat, cook meals, and help keep wildlife away.

A fire piston allows you to make a fire without the use of commercial lighters and matches.

How does a fire piston work?

A fire piston (also known as a compression firestarter or slam rod firestarter) works by compressing air molecules so quickly that heat is generated.

This is accomplished when you press a cylinder through a sealed chamber. The resulting heat ignites a small piece of tinder. You can use this ember to build a fire of any size!

You do need some dry tinder to make a fire piston work. Many compare a fire piston to how a diesel engine works.

How to use efficiently

Having a source of dry tinder is critical.

You can keep a small supply of this in a small space.  Jute twine that has been unraveled and roughed up makes a great source of tinder that you can put in a small tin and keep in a pocket.

1. Gather dry tinder, twigs, and other wood to fuel your fire
2. Roll up a small piece of char cloth or unraveled jute and place in the end of your fire piston.
3. Push the fire piston in with a quick motion. Check for your ember.
4. Use ember to ignite dry tinder, and then build your fire up with small twigs and pieces of wood.

This video details the process.

Challenges of using a compression piston

• Requires a firm push and quick reaction time to get a viable ember
• Must have dry tinder and small pieces of wood gathered before striking an ember so fire can be built up fast enough
• Can seem cumbersome to use in a stressful situation where reflexes and reaction time may be stressed

Char Cloth

Many of those that use fire pistons as part of their fire starting kit also take the time to make some char cloth to help make the process easier. It is easy to make, and a little goes a long way.

1. Cut a few squares out of an old cotton t-shirt
2. Place in a tin with a hole for venting.
3. Cook over low heat for 5-10 minutes. You do not want it to catch fire itself. Be patient.
4. Let tin cool and remove. A tiny chunk can be rolled up and used to start a fire. A single t-shirt can make a lot of Char cloth for your preps!

This is best done outside because there will be some smell and smoke.

How To Make a DIY Version

Factory-made fire pistons can be costly, so some people choose to make their own using some basic materials.

Here’s a video that details the process.

Fire Pistons Versus Other Firestarters

Without some practice, the fire piston is going to be harder to use for most people.

Of those who do not like the fire piston, the most common reason is that the person gave up learning how to use it after a few frustrating attempts. Fire pistons work, but they are not going to be as easy as striking a store-bought lighter.

Ferro rods can be easier and more satisfying for some because they can at least get a lot of sparks right away.

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Recommended Reading: Expert Tips For Using a Ferro Rod Firestarter

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Starting a fire can be challenging under wet conditions or when there is little dry wood around to burn, even if you get one going.

Personally, I want several ways to light a fire if I am in a survival situation. If I have a fire piston, you can bet that I am going to have a lighter or some quality waterproof matches in a sealed container too.

Conclusion

Fire pistons are an interesting addition to any fire starting kit. Unfortunately, they require a bit more skill to use than other fire starting methods.

If they are not correctly sealed due to a lost or cracked O-ring, they can cease to function until the ring is replaced. Due to the motion required to plunge the cylinder and the quick reaction time needed, these are not for beginners.

+ Image credits

By Chocolateoak (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons