Bat $h!+ as fire starter...you asked for it

Okay, I guess I gotta put my money where my mouth is. I did a little homework after bringing this up in the NK thread:

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/f...l=1#post390383

The quesiton is, can you use bat guano as a firestarter? The answer is...maybe. I have no source of bat S#!+ to use for testing...maybe someone out there has a ready source. Bat guano is an excellent source of Potassium Nitrate, aka Salt Peter. Salt peter is a primary component in the manufacture of black powder and is the oxidizer used in conjunction with charcoal. As an oxidizer, it provides the oxygen needed to create the fast burn associated with gunpowder.

To produce potassium nitrate, soak the guano in water,then allow to evaporate. The crystals remaining after the water is gone will contain a high KNO3 content and can be used as an oxidizer.

My theory is, soak your charcloth in the water/guano solution, allow to dry, and put a spark to it....


Okay, I didn't say this was s GREAT idea. I'm just following up on what I started.

Goog

I am not soaking by loin cloth in .... or wait. You said....never mind.

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Originally Posted by Rick

I am not soaking by loin cloth in .... or wait. You said....never mind.

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Rick in case you forget and soak your loin cloth , at least remember to take it off before you light it up !

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Originally Posted by greatgoogamooga

Okay, I guess I gotta put my money where my mouth is. I did a little homework after bringing this up in the NK thread:

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/f...l=1#post390383

The quesiton is, can you use bat guano as a firestarter? The answer is...maybe. I have no source of bat S#!+ to use for testing...maybe someone out there has a ready source. Bat guano is an excellent source of Potassium Nitrate, aka Salt Peter. Salt peter is a primary component in the manufacture of black powder and is the oxidizer used in conjunction with charcoal. As an oxidizer, it provides the oxygen needed to create the fast burn associated with gunpowder.

To produce potassium nitrate, soak the guano in water,then allow to evaporate. The crystals remaining after the water is gone will contain a high KNO3 content and can be used as an oxidizer.

My theory is, soak your charcloth in the water/guano solution, allow to dry, and put a spark to it....


Okay, I didn't say this was s GREAT idea. I'm just following up on what I started.

Goog

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You are a man of your word...and your theory does have merit......

Problem is, that theory is supplementing the spark strike method.

potassium nitrate + sugar = rocket fuel. The fuel is the sugar, and the potassium nitrate is the oxidizer. What you need is a fuel that is not stable with potassium nitrate in it.

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Originally Posted by cwi555

Problem is, that theory is supplementing the spark strike method.

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Theory #2: soak your fireboard in the guano/water mixture, allow to dry, then try a bow drill. Actually, probably a bad idea, as you want the ember to form in a low oxygen environment.

Goog

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Originally Posted by greatgoogamooga

Theory #2: soak your fireboard in the guano/water mixture, allow to dry, then try a bow drill. Actually, probably a bad idea, as you want the ember to form in a low oxygen environment.

Goog

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I am going to suggest giving up the potassium nitrate idea. Many combinations of it end up with an explosive/flash powder/rocket fuel etc. It is not something to monkey with in my opinion.

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Originally Posted by cwi555

I am going to suggest giving up the potassium nitrate idea. Many combinations of it end up with an explosive/flash powder/rocket fuel etc. It is not something to monkey with in my opinion.

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I never said it was a good idea. If anybody tries any of this, I'll be amazed.

Goog

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Originally Posted by greatgoogamooga

I have no source of bat S#!+ to use for testing...

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May I suggest that you relocate your residence to a cave somewhere? Perhaps near Gotham City?