STEP 1.  Take an old (but clean) 100% cotton tee shirt and cut into small 1/2" to 1" inch squares. It must be 100% cotton cloth, no synthetic materials. Light weight (thin) tee shirts work the best.

STEP 2.  Make a vent hole. Take a small metal can and drill a small hole through the top lid. The hole must penetrate the lid and base of the can. This vent hole is necessary for cooking Char-Cloth. Here I'm using a round Altoids mint can. These cans are small and perfect for making Char-Cloth. They also make a great fire starting kit, storing your supplies.

STEP 3.  Load the metal can with the small 100% cotton squares. Fill it fluffy full then close the lid so the vent holes line up.

You can also use tin foil to make Char-Cloth. Load with 100% cotton squares, fold in half (making a dome) then fold and seal the three sides. Puncture a small vent hole in the top center.

STEP 4.  Place the metal can (or tin foil) on hot coals in a camp fire, with the vent hole facing up. Here I'm using a portable propane gas stove at medium heat.  NOTE: Only cook Char-Cloth outside, never inside a tent, building or survival structure!

After a few minutes smoke will vent out of the vent hole, indicating the cloth is starting to cook. The smoke will continue throughout the cooking process. When the smoke stops venting, it's probably done.

IMPORTANT: When starting to cook the cloth, smoke should start to vent in about 6 minutes.

STEP 5.  After about 15 minutes remove the metal can (or tin foil) from the fire. Let it cool down, then open and check the Char-Cloth. NOTE: If the container is opened too soon, the char-cloth inside may ignite. Make sure you allow enough time to let the can cool down.

Not ready yet. If the Char-Cloth is not dark black on all sides, you'll need to cook some more. Stir the Char-Cloth, putting the uncooked cotton on the bottom of the can, then replace the lid (vent holes aligned) and return it to the fire.

STEP 6.  The end result. After cooking another 6 minutes, I removed the can from the fire, let it cool down, then opened the lid. This is perfectly cooked Char-Cloth. It must be dark black on all sides with a texture like tissue paper and will tear easily.

Test a small piece of Char-Cloth by applying sparks from a flint. It should easily ignite into a burning ember.

NOTE: If you over cooked the cotton cloth it will look and feel like ash, and will crumble when you touch it, making it useless. If this is the case, you'll have to start over and try it again.

COOKING TIMES:  The cooking times will vary depending on the fire and size of the metal can. I suggest you first cook for about 15 minutes then check the Char-Cloth. Also, watch the smoke venting, this is a good indicator of the cooking progress, when the smoke stops, it's probably done. If it's not done then continue cooking at 6 minute intervals and re-check until it's done. This way you'll avoid over cooking the cotton cloth.

Here's my Fire Starting Kit:  Char-Cloth (in the can), Shredded 100% cotton cloth, Jute Twine (used as tinder), 100% cotton pads, Magnifying Lens, Flint & Striker and a Mini Tinder Lighter (foil version).

HOW TO START A FIRE WITH CHAR-CLOTH.  The object is to ignite Char-Cloth into a burning ember which is placed into a tinder bundle and blown into a flame. This can be accomplished many ways. A simple spark from a Flint and Steel, using the sun with a magnifying lens or a fire piston.

The following technique will use a polished soda can bottom (acting like a magnifying lens) to reflect the sun onto Char-Cloth, igniting into a burning ember. For details on how to turn a soda can into a magnifying lens, visit our Soda Can Lighter page.

First prepare a tinder bundle with some Char-Cloth in the middle. Here I'm using shredded Jute Twine for a tinder bundle.

Also, find a safe place on the ground and build a fire lay to accept your burning tinder bundle, which will start your camp fire.

Now point the polished bottom of the soda can at the sun. Find the suns focal point (a tight dot of the suns reflection), here I'm using my hand. NOTE: The tighter and smaller the suns dot, the better! Move your hand in and out to find the optimal position.

Next hold a piece of Char-Cloth at the suns focal point.

After a short time you'll see a little smoke coming from the Char-Cloth. When it ignites into a burning ember, place it into your tinder bundle and fold it over the burning ember.

Now blow into the tinder bundle causing the ember to grow. Continue blowing , the smoke will increase until it bursts into a flame (careful with your hands and fingers). Quickly place the burning tinder bundle into your fire lay (not shown) to start your camp fire.

PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS:

I suggest you check out my ... Mini Tinder Lighter . It's a perfect tool to use with this fire starting technique, and it saves your tinder supply!!!

Char-Cloth will not ignite.

WARNING: Always make Char-Cloth or start fires in a safe area outside. Never make Char-Cloth or start fires inside a tent, building or survival structure!!!

DISCLAIMER:
Use common sense and safety at all times when using fire.  The author of this web page will not be responsible for any injury or damage resulting from the construction or use of this fire starting design.  If you choose to build, use or experiment with this design, do so at your own risk.