Outdoors

Ready Fuel gel fire starter burns at 1,200°F

Ready Fuel gel fire starter burns at 1,200°F
The fire is barely visible but plenty hot
The fire is barely visible but plenty hot
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Ready Fire is non-toxic, smokeless and odorless
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Ready Fire is non-toxic, smokeless and odorless
Ready Fire on fire
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Ready Fire on fire
The fire is barely visible but plenty hot
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The fire is barely visible but plenty hot
The sandy remains are easy to brush into the garbage
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The sandy remains are easy to brush into the garbage
Ready Fuel burns hot enough to cook on
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Ready Fuel burns hot enough to cook on
The Ready Fuel packet weighs 1.25 ounces
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The Ready Fuel packet weighs 1.25 ounces
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Ready Fuel is a lightweight gel that burns clean and hot enough to act as fire, as well a fire starter. Tested and approved by the U.S. military, it is a versatile solution that can serve as an emergency survival tool, primary fire starter or a cooking fuel.

Ready Fuel comes in a small, 1.25-ounce (35 g) packet. Because it lights immediately when you apply a flame, it can be used to start an emergency fire or standard campfire. Unlike other fire-starting materials that burn away quickly, a packet of Ready Fuel gel burns for 15 to 20 minutes at temperatures up to 1,200°F (649°C).

So, similar to the InstaFire we covered last year, it not only starts a larger fire, it can act as its own fire, boiling a cup (237 ml) of water in about 5 minutes. One packet used judiciously provides enough burn to boil 4 cups (0.95 ltr) of water. It can also cook food and dry wet clothing.

Ready Fuel burns hot enough to cook on
Ready Fuel burns hot enough to cook on

Unlike some other fire starters you might have used – gasoline and lighter fluid come to mind – Ready Fuel is non-toxic, smokeless and odorless. It burns down to a gritty, sand-like residue that is easy to brush into the garbage. Its other by-products are simply carbon dioxide and water.

In addition to its duel tinder-fuel use, Ready Fuel has several other qualities that make it ideal for outdoor use. It burns at temperatures as cold as - 23°F (-30.5°C), altitudes up to 10,000 feet (3,048 meters), and doesn't freeze, evaporate or melt. It has a 30-year shelf life, so it is ready to go for your next adventure.

According to its distributor, The Ready Project, it is non-explosive and not subject to EPA restrictions, unlike other camping stove fuels. Each packet is lightweight and nearly flat, making it ideal as an ultralight primary fuel or emergency fire starter.

Ready Fuel has previously been used by the military but is new to the consumer market. A pouch of four packets costs US$14.95, and a 120-count case costs $239.95. The Ready Project also sells the $25 folding Ready Stove, which can be used with the fuel.

Source: The Ready Project

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2 comments
2 comments
Slowburn
Sounds good except for the price.
Buellrider
I was in the USMC from 75 to 79 and that fuel looks like the blue fuel tabs that came with the c-rats. They were a small lump that came in a tear away tin foil pouch. Light with a match and heat your coffee up is what we would usually use them for. Nothing new there.