STEP 1.  Take your soda can and turn it over so the bottom is facing up.

The object of this procedure is to polish the cans bottom to a brilliant mirror finish. This will transform the soda can into a large magnifying lens, using the suns reflection to ignite Char-Cloth, Tinder Fungus or Wood Punk into a burning ember, which you'll place in a tinder bundle and blow into a flame

STEP 2.  Drop a small amount of tooth paste (or chocolate) in the bottom of the can. This is your polishing compound.

STEP 3.  Use a paper or cloth towel and swirl the tooth paste (or chocolate) in a clock wise direction. You should first start at the top rim then swirl down to the bottom then return to the top. Apply moderate pressure and repeat this process over and over and over and over ... take a break every few minutes.

STEP 4.  After a while clean off the tooth paste (or chocolate) with water to see how it's going, then repeat with step 2 and continue polishing. You can stop polishing when you have a mirror like reflection.

NOTE: The polishing will take a few hours to get a brilliant mirror finish.

STEP 5.  The end result is a mirror finish in the bottom of the can. This will cause the soda can to act like a large magnifying lens, using the suns reflection to ignite Char-Cloth (Tinder Fungus or Wood Punk) into a burning ember, which you'll place in a tinder bundle and blow into a flame.

Before

After

STARTING A FIRE.  First prepare a tinder bundle with some Char-Cloth (Tinder Fungus or Wood Punk) in the middle. Here I'm using shredded Jute Twine and Char-Cloth for my 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 (Tinder Fungus or Wood Punk) 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 glowing 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 you can use with this fire starting technique, and it saves your tinder supply!!!

Char-Cloth will not ignite.

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.