How to Start a Fire with a Magnifying Glass

This page will give you simple instructions on How to Start a Fire with a Magnifying Glass.

This page will give you simple instructions on How to Start a Fire with a Magnifying Glass.
Introduction
- While you may know this method of fire starting best from childhood science experiments, the use of a magnifying glass can be a great way to help ignite tinder for a fire (if you don't have any other means of doing so). In this method, the magnifying glass works to focus the sun's rays on a single point of light - heating whatever is in the path of the point to a temperature where it begins to smoke and catch fire. The main drawback of this technique is that it will only work on a bright, sunny day. But if the sun is shining - and you have your magnifying glass handy - this method can be a cool way to get those flames burning!
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What You'll Need
- '''Magnifying Glass''': While a traditional magnifying glass will work best for this experiment, you can actually use any type of glass that has magnification properties. '''Binoculars, eyeglasses, empty soda bottles - even broken light bulbs''' - may wor
Starting Your Fire
- Once you've got your magnifying glass and tinder handy, you're ready to start making some fire! Make sure to be careful, though, as fires can quickly get out of control and cause a lot of damage.
  1. Place your pile of tinder somewhere where the eventual fire will not cause a problem. If you have a fire pit, go ahead and use it.
  2. Hold the magnifying glass at an angle where the sun's light is focused on a small point on your pile of tinder.
  3. Adjust the angle of the glass so that the circle of light is as small as possible. The smaller the circle, the more light that is concentrated on one area.
  4. Hold the magnifying glass in place until the tinder starts to smoke and a flame develops. This may take up to 10 minutes, so be patient.
  5. Once the tinder begins to smoke and flame, blow on it gently to help spread the flames.
  6. When the tinder is sufficiently burning, add larger and larger pieces of wood until the fire is the desired size.
Tips & Tricks
- The best time to perform this method is when the sun is at its zenith in the sky (usually around 11am - 2pm). This will make it easier for you to get a concentrated point of light.
- Add a little bit of water to a regular piece of glass (the non-magnifying kind) in order to produce a lens capable of focusing sunlight.
- Try to keep the magnifying glass as steady as possible so that the light is focused on one area for as long as possible. This will speed up the process.
- It's important to know the rules and regulations regarding the use of fires in whatever area you are camping in. While some wilderness areas and campsites may allow fires all the time, others may have restrictions as to when and where you can make them.
- Be careful with the fire you end up producing and don't forget how easy it can be for a fire to get out of control and cause serious damage.
- YouTube: Fire From the Sun!
Resources
- Wikipedia: Magnifying Glass
- WikiHow: How to Create Fire with a Magnifying Glass
- Wildwood Survival: Fire: Magnifying Lens
- eHow: How to Start a Fire Without Matches
- YouTube: Fire From the Sun!
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