Fatwood Fire Starter

Fatwood, also known as "fat lighter" or "heart pine," is wood that is saturated with resin, primarily obtained from pine tree stumps. This resin-rich wood is one of nature's best fire-starting materials due to its high flammability and resistance to moisture.

What is Fatwood?

Fatwood is the resin-impregnated wood found in the stumps of pine trees. When a pine tree dies, the resin from the roots concentrates in the stump, saturating the wood. This resin makes the wood highly flammable and an excellent fire starter, even in wet conditions​ 

Why Use Fatwood?

Fatwood is prized for its natural fire-starting properties. It ignites easily with a spark and burns hot and long, making it ideal for starting fires in fireplaces, wood stoves, campfires, and during survival situations. Unlike many commercial fire starters, fatwood does not contain chemicals and is safe for cooking fires​

How to Find and Harvest Fatwood

Fatwood can be found in the stumps of old pine trees. Look for stumps that have had time to dry out and decompose, as these will have the highest concentration of resin. To harvest fatwood, you need to remove the bark and outer layers of the stump to access the resin-rich core. This core is typically harder and darker than the surrounding wood​.

Using Fatwood

To use fatwood, you can shave off small pieces to create tinder or use larger chunks as kindling. The high resin content allows fatwood to ignite easily and burn hot, making it effective for starting larger pieces of wood or charcoal​ 

Benefits of Fatwood

• Natural and Chemical-Free: Unlike commercial fire starters, fatwood is free from harmful chemicals.
• Waterproof: It burns well even when wet, making it reliable in all weather conditions.
• Long Shelf Life: Fatwood can be stored indefinitely without losing its fire-starting properties.

Conclusion

Fatwood is a valuable resource for anyone interested in outdoor activities, survival preparations, or simply enjoying a cozy fire. Its natural properties make it a superior fire starter compared to many commercial alternatives.