STEP 1.  Prepare the wire by stripping the insulation off both ends, exposing the bare wire. In this example I'm using common speaker wire but any thin gauge wire will work.

Place a small piece of 100% cotton (or toilet paper) on one side of the steel wool patch. The steel wool is the ignitor and the cotton or toilet paper is the fuel.

Take the AA battery, place and hold with your finger (or tape) one end of the bare wire across the negative "-" or flat end of the battery.

STEP 2.  Place the positive side "+" of the AA battery in contact with the "0000" steel wool. Using your other hand (not shown) close the circuit by raking the other end of the bare wire across the steel wool until you see it start to glow red and ignites.

Important: If you don't see a red or orange glow within a few seconds then stop, remove the battery from the steel wool and allow it to cool before repeating the process. The battery will become warm when you close the circuit between the positive and negative sides of the battery. So don't over heat the battery, doing so may damage the battery and cause injury.

STEP 3.  When the steel wool ignites (starts to glow red), quickly remove the battery and gently blow on the glowing / burning steel wool. Continue blowing on the burning steel wool until the small piece of cotton (or toilet paper) ignites into a small flame. Then slowly add small pieces of dried grass and twigs to the flame allowing the fire to grow.

Note: Although I'm showing this technique using a small piece of steel wool. You'll have better results starting your fire if you use a larger piece of steel wool.

Lost your battery? You can use a flint or any type of spark generator to ignite steel wool.

Now that I showed you the hard way, try this. Use a 9 volt battery. Take a piece of "0000" steel wool with some 100% cotton or toilet paper. Gently dab the steel wool across the positive "+" and negative "-" posts on the 9 volt battery. When the steel wool starts to glow red, remove it from the battery and gently blow until the cotton ignites into a flame.

TIPS:
1) You can use any size battery like AA, C, D or 9 volt to start a fire.
2) Use only "0000" steel wool. This grade of steel wool will easily ignite from the sparks generated from the battery.
3) Use only 100% cotton balls, this type of cotton also easily ignites. Toilet paper works great too.
4) You can use any gauge of thin wire as long as it conducts electrical current.
5) For faster ignition pour a few drops of denatured alcohol on the cotton patch before starting the fire.
6) Do not over heat the battery when trying to start a fire. Doing so may damage the battery and cause injury.
7) Never store the battery in contact with the steel wool, a fire could result!

WARNING: Always start fires in a safe area outside. Never 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.