Ferrocerium Fire Starter

A Ferrocerium fire starter, or ferro rod for short, is widely used by campers, nature lovers, and survivalists to start fires in the wilderness or at camping sites. 

Ferro rods are also sometimes called fire steel or magnesium rods. 

Although they are all slightly different, all these terms generally refer to the same tool. 

Ferrocerium is a manmade pyrophoric alloy product consisting of various metals, which may include cerium, lanthanum, and iron with smaller amounts of neodymium, praseodymium, and magnesium.

The percentages of each of these metals can vary.

This alloy creates hotter and more prevalent sparks than the traditional flint and steel tools.

Ferro Rod

There are many different brands of the ferro rod.  

Each company has their own style and you can choose to buy one with or without a handle.

A typical ferro rod without a handle is approximately 4 inches long by 3/8 or 5/8 inches in diameter. 

A ferrocerium fire starter lasts between 8,000 and 12,000 strikes, and the sparks are hotter than the flame on a typical butane lighter. 

An average butane lighter will provide you with a burn time of about 35 minutes and a real flame.

A ferro rod lasts longer simply because it’s not an actual fire source; instead, it creates sparks, which then turn into a flame. 

Ferrocerium produces sparks that are 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit when scraped with a rough surface or a sharp edge called a striker.

So do you need one with a handle?  

That's only a question you can answer. It's simply a matter of preference.

Striker

Strikers are usually flat pieces of metal used to strike down the ferro rod creating friction, thus creating sparks.

The striker is usually a little smaller than the rod itself.  

They are usually attached by a lanyard or other similar type of string. 

Ferrocerium Fire Starter - Light A Fire

Ok......are you ready to build a fire?  

As with everything there is some preparation that you need to do before you're ready to make a fire. 

In order to successfully build a fire you need to start with small dry tinder.

Choose Good Tinder

Tinder can be anything from dry grass to cotton balls smeared with petroleum jelly to dryer lint. 

Fibrous and fluffy materials work best as tinder, especially materials that are botanical from nature because they allow the sparks to stick and begin burning in earnest.

Some of the best botanical tinders are goldenrod fluff, cattail seed down, and milkweed.

The choice is yours -- just make sure the material is dry and combustible.  

Form the tinder into a pile similar to the shape of a bird’s nest.

Have additional small kindling near you to feed the fire once the spark from the ferro rod ignites the tinder.

Use the Right Technique

Using the right technique is critical when trying to start the fire with a ferro rod. 

To begin, hold your ferro rod at approximately a 45-degree angle just above your tinder. 

Strike the ferrocerium fire starter with the striker in a downward motion throwing sparks into the tinder. 

Instead of pushing the scraper up against the rod toward the tinder, you should pull it toward yourself. 

You’ll still get all the sparks you need, but you’ll keep the tinder in place better with this method. 

Hopefully, after one or two strikes, the dry tinder will ignite.  

Gently blow into the tinder until the small ember turns into a flame.  

Ferrocerium Rod Kit with Striker

Now, feed the fire with small kindling to fuel the fire.

Don't get discouraged if you don't get flames on your first try.  

Using a ferrocerium fire starter takes some practice and skill to master.

If you’re new to using a ferro rod, it might be wise to practice on your home barbecue before heading out into nature’s elements to try it.

The choice is yours just make sure the material is dry and combustable.  Form the tinder into a pile similar to the shape of a birds nest.  

Have additional small kindling near you to feed the fire once the spark from the ferro rod ignites the tinder.

To begin, hold your ferro rod at approximately a 45 degree angle just above your tinder.

Strike the ferro rod with the striker in a downward motion throwing sparks into the tinder.

Hopefully after one or two strikes the dry tinder will ignite.  

Gently blow into the tinder until the small ember turns into a flame.  

Now, feed the fire with small kindling to fuel the fire.

Don't be discouraged if you don't get flames and make a fire on your first try.  

Using a ferrocerium fire starter takes some practice and skill to master it.

Overall

You can purchase a ferro rod just about anywhere you can buy outdoor and camping gear. 

They usually come in a set with the rod and scraper and there not very expensive.  

Look for a good quality ferro rod. 

A lesser-quality rod will still work but it may not throw as many hot sparks, which will make the fire starting process a little harder.

A ferro rod is an essential tool to carry when spending time in the wilderness for several reasons.

First, it can boil water and cook food.

Second, it can prevent hypothermia.

Third, it can keep insects and animals away.

And fourth, it’s a great way to signal for help should you run into an emergency.

So, be sure to invest in a ferro rod as part of your essential camping gear.

About the Author

Nick Greenway

Obsessed with firewood, Nick is behind over 350+ of Firewood For Life's articles, as well as countless reviews, guides and YouTube videos to help readers like you reduce heating costs and create the perfect fire.