Char Cloth: The Best Primary Tinder

Char cloth (Charred Cloth) or sometimes called Charpaper, is a swath of 100% cotton fabric (linen and jute can also be used) that has been converted through pyrolysis (chemically decomposed by heating or combustion in the absence of oxygen) into a slow burning fuel that will catch and hold a spark creating an ember for ignition of a larger tinder bundle (dry grass, leaves, etc.).

Now that we know what char cloth is, lets talk about what it’s for, how it’s made, and how we can use it. Simply put, char cloth is probably the cheapest and best form of do-it-yourself fire starter ever made. It can be manufactured at home outside on a grill, on camp stove, or on a trailside campfire in your favorite cook pot. When it is finished all you need is a Flint & Steel or Ferro rod to create a spark for ignition and a tinder bundle and you’re in business.

Regardless of how you throw a spark onto it, it is superior to other tinder in that it catches the least of sparks and is not only unhampered by wind, but aided by it. Historically it was the “tinder” in tinder boxes of soldiers, hunters, trappers, and frontiersmen that forged this great nation. By now your probably asking, “So if it’s that great how could it be the cheapest and best tinder for the do-it-yourselfer?” Easy.

What you need:

1. A small candy or Altoids tin with a snug fitting lid.
2. Several pieces of 100% cotton material, such as an old t-shirt or denim cut to fit in the tin.
3. A small nail or punch.
4. A heat source, I use my isopro (isobutane / propane) backpacking stove.
5. About 10-15 minutes to devote to it.
6. And a storage container for the finished product.

How to make it:

1. Using the nail or punch place a small hole in the center of the lid to allow the smoke to escape during the charring process.
2. Place the pieces of material into the tin making sure the lid is closed tightly.
3. Place the tin onto the heat source (this step should be done outside due to the amount of smoke produced during pyrolysis).
4. Wait until the smoke has completely stopped (about 10 minutes), then remove the tin and let it cool.
5. Remove your char cloth and store it in an airtight container (such as a 35mm film canister) until needed.

It is important to note that the finished char cloth should be completely black and have a fragile charcoal quality to it. If not it needs to be left on the heat longer. Another popular form is referred to as char cord and is made from 100% cotton cordage using the same process as above. The advantage of using cord is it tends to be denser than the cloth but also can be more fragile to handle. It is a good choice for use in a Fire Piston.

The following link is provided to show how char cloth is made….Enjoy.