{"id":19,"date":"2023-03-21T19:46:51","date_gmt":"2023-03-21T19:46:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/motherofguns.com\/?p=19"},"modified":"2023-03-21T19:46:52","modified_gmt":"2023-03-21T19:46:52","slug":"an-easy-7-step-guide-to-making-char-cloth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/motherofguns.com\/?p=19","title":{"rendered":"An Easy 7-Step Guide to Making Char Cloth"},"content":{"rendered":"
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If you\u2019ve just been introduced to the world of prepping, you should know that learning to make fire<\/a> is a rite of passage marking the beginning of your prepping journey.<\/p>\n

Since you\u2019re here, we assume you\u2019ve already done some digging and unearthed the forefathers of fire-making \u2013 flint and steel.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Flint and steel (F&S) fire-making is as old school as it gets, but it\u2019s been around for centuries for good reason. The materials are easily obtainable, and with enough practice, anyone can master the skill. You\u2019ll only need flint, steel, heaps of tinder to start a fire, and one more secret ingredient \u2013 char cloth.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In this article, we\u2019ll walk you through the process of making char cloth so you can be officially inducted into the prepping club. Let\u2019s get started!<\/p>\n

What Is <\/strong>Char Cloth<\/strong> and How Does It Work?<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Char cloth is a processed tinder meant to be prepared before you head outdoors. It\u2019s an organic fabric that\u2019s been cooked down to carbon through a process called pyrolysis.<\/p>\n

The charring process eliminates all hydrogen and oxygen molecules in the fabric \u2013 including any impurities such as moisture, tar, resins, oils, and dyes \u2013 resulting in a residual mass consisting primarily of carbon.<\/p>\n

Essentially, this creates charcoal in a different shape and form, or what we\u2019ve come to know as char cloth.<\/p>\n

<\/figure>\n

Once you understand the science behind it, logic dictates that you can basically char any organic material you encounter in the woods, including any of the following:<\/p>\n

The possibilities are endless! However, they\u2019re not all guaranteed to be practical for lighting a fire. They could<\/em> work, but with some, you\u2019ll need a bit more elbow grease to catch a spark.<\/p>\n

For the purposes of this blog, we\u2019ll talk about why char cloth could be an excellent addition to your fire starter kit<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

What Are the Benefits of Using <\/strong>Char Cloth<\/strong>?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Char cloth may not be the end-all-be-all of fire-making, but it\u2019s still a great addition to your arsenal of fire development skills.<\/p>\n

Now that the market\u2019s saturated with various ferro rods<\/a>, BIC lighters, and matches<\/a>, F&S fire-making has taken a backseat in the world of survival. Despite this, some preppers still prefer to carry premade firestarters<\/a>, like char cloth, to serve as a backup in case their primary tools don\u2019t work out.\u00a0<\/p>\n

If you need more convincing, we\u2019ve laid out the benefits of using char cloth to substitute your other firestarters when you\u2019re out braving the elements.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. It\u2019s easy to make.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    There are only a few moving parts to the char cloth-making process. With materials readily available in your home, like tin cans and old fabrics, it\u2019s easy to piece together this reliable tinder before you set off into the woods. The method is simple, and ideally, you won\u2019t have to spend a dime.<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. It\u2019s highly combustible and slow-burning.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Char cloth is pure carbon, meaning it\u2019s highly combustible. All you need is one spark, and with enough natural tinder and a good kindling, you can build a substantial flame. Don\u2019t fret, though. It\u2019s a highly flammable material, but it won\u2019t easily dissolve into flames. In fact, it\u2019s rather slow-burning, giving you enough time to torch your firelay<\/a>.<\/p>\n

      As a word of advice, char cloth burns relatively slower than your other firestarters, perfect for lighting tinders at a comfortable pace. However, the speed at which it burns through will still vary depending on the fabric you use. In particular, char cloth made of thinner cotton fabrics burns through faster than char cloth made of thicker woven fabrics.\u00a0<\/p>\n

      Beginners may find it easier to catch a spark with thinner char cloth, but thicker char cloth is arguably more durable for weathering it outdoors. With enough experimenting, you\u2019ll eventually find the fabric that works best for you.<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. It\u2019s compact.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        All you need is an airtight container like a small Altoids tin to stash your char cloth and keep it from getting wet. It\u2019s not a lot of trouble to carry around, and it definitely won\u2019t take up much space in your EDC kit<\/a>. For something you can fit inside your pocket, this premade tinder comes at no cost to you and is an uncomplicated piece of everyday carry<\/a> gear.<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. It\u2019s reliable in wet and windy conditions.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          The good thing about char cloth is that carbon is still carbon even if it\u2019s wet. It\u2019s great to have on reserve next to your matches and ferro rod if you\u2019re expecting to start a fire in the rain<\/a>. If you ever worry that moisture\u2019s gotten to your char cloth, just pop it back into your campfire<\/a> and it\u2019ll be good as new.\u00a0<\/p>\n

          Windy conditions won\u2019t render a char cloth ineffective, either. In fact, a light breeze can help to fan out the flames for your tinder bundle. Frankly, char cloth might even hold up better than a BIC lighter in the wind!<\/p>\n

            \n
          1. It brings you in touch with nature.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            As cheesy as it sounds, making char cloth actually does wonders for the soul in terms of nurturing your connection with nature.\u00a0<\/p>\n

            Let\u2019s be real. Anyone who wants to learn the art of making char cloth does it for the same reason anyone still practices flint and steel fire-making in this day and age. The primitive ways of fire-making just fulfill you in ways that your modern firestarters can\u2019t.\u00a0<\/p>\n

            How to Make Char Cloth<\/strong><\/h2>\n

            If those benefits managed to get you on board with the idea of making char cloth, we\u2019ve laid out the steps you need to follow. Don\u2019t worry, it doesn\u2019t take a seasoned prepper to do it. With the right attitude and the patience to back it up, learning how to make char cloth is really a no-brainer.<\/p>\n

            Prepare the Things You\u2019ll Need<\/strong><\/h3>\n

            The first thing to do is to prepare the components of a good char cloth. Making char cloth only requires these five things:\u00a0<\/p>\n

              \n
            1. Tin Can<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              Regularly load up on breath mints? Don\u2019t dispose of those Altoids tins just yet because they make great containers for cooking char cloth. An Altoids tin is the perfect size and can be used several times over for your DIY char cloth.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

              If you don\u2019t have an Altoids tin on hand, you can opt for screw-top tins, empty canned food containers, or even paint cans if you want to make char cloth in bulk. Make sure there\u2019s no leftover residue inside your tin cans once you start cooking.<\/p>\n

              Here\u2019s a pro tip. Buy a safety can opener to load up on all the char tins you need. Safety can openers cut around the outside of a can rim instead of down through the top, giving you a can with a close-fitting lid that you can turn into a perfect char tin.\u00a0<\/p>\n

              This way, you no longer have to worry about hoarding Altoids tins since you can now turn any of your empty cans into a char tin.<\/p>\n

                \n
              1. Cloth<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                Avoid cloth with synthetic materials like polyester and nylon since they\u2019ll melt once you put them over a heat source. We recommend 100% organic fabrics like cotton, wool, and linen, although cotton is the most commonly used.\u00a0<\/p>\n

                For cotton, we recommend denim fabrics since they\u2019re more durable. Your old cotton shirts and rags could work too, but they won\u2019t be as sturdy to work with after you cook them down.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

                Seasoned preppers also suggest a thick, woven cotton fabric called a \u201cduck canvas\u201d for making char cloth. A loosely woven duck canvas quickly catches a spark, making it perfect for fire-making.\u00a0<\/p>\n

                If you can spare some old cotton towels from Pottery Barn, they\u2019d be good char cloth too. Cotton fabrics with woven patterns are great options for char cloth since they\u2019re firmer and less likely to break down after cooking.<\/p>\n

                All this said, we totally understand if you can\u2019t spare any of your quality fabrics just to turn them into char cloth. If that\u2019s the case, go to your nearest drugstore and buy a pack of cotton balls.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

                Yes, you can char pure cotton balls too! Just note that they\u2019re more fragile, and with a smaller surface area, they\u2019ll be more challenging to work with when you\u2019re trying to catch a spark for your tinder bundle.<\/p>\n

                  \n
                1. Nail<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                  You\u2019ll also need a nail to punch a hole through your char tin for cooking. A small 2d nail should do the trick.\u00a0<\/p>\n

                    \n
                  1. Scissors<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                    Get a good pair of fabric scissors to cut your cloth so you don\u2019t leave the edges frayed.<\/p>\n

                      \n
                    1. Heat Source\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                      Any heat source is acceptable, but we suggest cooking your char cloth over an open flame outdoors for safety reasons. We recommend a slow-burning bed of coals over an open fire pit for an even char.<\/p>\n

                      Punch a Hole Into Your Tin Can<\/strong><\/h3>\n

                      Now for the fun part. Once you\u2019ve got all your materials set, it\u2019s time to get your hands dirty.<\/p>\n

                      First off, punch a tiny hole through the top lid of your tin can with your smallest nail.<\/p>\n

                      You don\u2019t need to punch a big hole into your char tin. All you need is a small entryway for the gasses to escape while cooking your char cloth. This step is essential because if you cook the cloth without a hole in your tin, the lid can forcefully pop off from the unreleased gasses built up inside.<\/p>\n

                      Cut Your Cloth<\/strong><\/h3>\n

                      Your cotton fabric will shrink a lot after cooking, so don\u2019t forget to account for shrinkage before cutting up your fabric for charring. We recommend cutting your cloth into 3\u201d x 2\u201d pieces if you\u2019re using a standard Altoids tin. If you\u2019re working with a different container, just cut it enough to fit inside your tin without folding it over.<\/p>\n

                      Put the Cloth Inside the Tin and Cook Over Fire<\/strong><\/h3>\n

                      Stack your pieces of cut-up cloth over each other and put them inside your tin. Don\u2019t overfill since the fabric might not cook through. About 6-8 pieces of material should be enough for a standard Altoids tin. Put fewer pieces if your fabric is thicker.<\/p>\n

                      Afterward, place the tin over a bed of coals to start the charring process. This could take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the strength of your heat source.\u00a0<\/p>\n

                      A good rule of thumb is to check if there\u2019s still smoke coming out of the hole on the lid. If you still see smoke coming out, gasses are still being released and your cloth hasn\u2019t cooked through. If it stops smoking, then your char cloth is good to go.<\/p>\n

                      We suggest doing this outdoors because you wouldn\u2019t want yourself or your family to inhale the fumes from the cooking process. Doing this over a bed of coals also encourages a slower and more even cooking process as opposed to cooking your char cloth over direct heat on your kitchen range.<\/p>\n

                      Plug the Hole and Wait for the Tin to Cool<\/strong><\/h3>\n

                      Immediately remove your tin from the heat and set it off to the side once the smoking has stopped. With the nail you used earlier, plug the hole on top of the lid. You can also use a toothpick to seal the lid if your nail doesn\u2019t stand upright. If plugging the hole doesn\u2019t work, bury the tin under some dirt as it cools.\u00a0<\/p>\n

                      This step ensures that no oxygen comes in contact with your newly charred cloth. Since you essentially cooked off your fabric without oxygen, science dictates that adding oxygen back into the equation could cause your char cloth to combust before it has had any time to cool.<\/p>\n

                      For this reason, we also don\u2019t recommend opening the tin too soon and exposing your char cloth to air. Wait until it\u2019s cooled enough for you to touch it with your bare hands.\u00a0<\/p>\n

                      Use a pair of tactical gloves for a safer and more comfortable charring experience. The TAC9ER Tactical Gloves<\/a> are temperature resistant so your hands can be protected from burns while you\u2019re tossing your char tin over a toasty campfire.<\/p>\n

                      Inspect Your Char Cloth<\/strong><\/h3>\n

                      Once your tin has cooled, inspect the char cloth inside. If any of the pieces still have brown spots, this means they haven\u2019t cooked through. Just pop them back into the heat and cook for a few more minutes if that\u2019s the case. If the cloth easily disintegrates in your hands, your fabric is overcooked.<\/p>\n

                      A good char cloth is black all over, holds its shape, is soft and easy to tear, and doesn\u2019t leave remnants of ash on your hands.<\/p>\n

                      Make a Fire<\/strong><\/h3>\n

                      Grab your firestarter of choice and get those sparks flying. The char cloth\u2019s perfect pair for ignition is your standard F&S or ferro rod.<\/p>\n

                      <\/figure>\n

                      To ensure you\u2019ll get a flame going, stuff your kindling with other types of natural tinder<\/a> like birch bark, dead thistle heads, and dry grass.<\/p>\n

                      Strike downwards into your char cloth and watch it absorb a single spark and set your firelay ablaze!<\/p>\n

                      Final Thoughts<\/strong><\/h2>\n

                      Unless you wanna spend eons lighting a log with a BIC lighter, you might wanna have some premade tinder, like char cloth, on hand before you head to your next outdoor adventure.\u00a0<\/p>\n

                      It may not be the best fire-making ammo today, but char cloth is an excellent reminder of our ancestors\u2019 ingenuity. It helped them light fires to cook<\/a>, signal for help<\/a>, and keep warm<\/a> for centuries, and it can do the same for you too!<\/p>\n

                      Share what you love about making char cloth in the comments below!<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                      If you\u2019ve just been introduced to the world of prepping, you should know that learning to make fire is a rite of passage marking the beginning of your prepping journey. Since you\u2019re here, we assume you\u2019ve already done some digging and unearthed the forefathers of fire-making \u2013 flint and steel.\u00a0 Flint and steel (F&S) fire-making […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":20,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-19","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-prepping"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/motherofguns.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/motherofguns.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/motherofguns.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/motherofguns.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/motherofguns.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=19"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/motherofguns.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21,"href":"https:\/\/motherofguns.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19\/revisions\/21"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/motherofguns.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/20"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/motherofguns.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=19"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/motherofguns.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=19"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/motherofguns.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=19"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}