Q. What is Insta-fire?
A. Insta-fire is a convenient fire starting mixture which can be used indoors or outdoors. It is made up of volcanic rock, wood pellets, oil, and wax.

Q. How do I use Insta-fire to start a fire?
A. The best way to use Insta-fire varies depending on the type fire you are building.  Here is one suggestion: in a fireplace, put about a cup of Instafire under the grate.  Set a couple of logs parallel to each other on the grate.  Then set a third log on top of the other two.  This last log should be set cross-wise or perpendicular to the lower logs.  Now use a match or lighter to light the white portion of the Insta-fire.  It will quickly ignite.  The heat from its flames will then cause the logs above it to ignite. 

Q. Can Instafire be used to light charcoal briquettes?
A.  Most certainly!  First pour about a cup of Instafire onto the bottom of your grill under the rack.  Then set 20 -30 briquettes on top of the rack.  Now light the insta-fire and within 7 – 10 minutes the charcoal will be ready to cook with.  You can also use Instafire with charcoal chimneys.

Q. How should I transport Instafire?
A. Pour about a cup of Instafire into a zippable plastic bag — one bag for each fire you plan on starting.  The bag will be light and can easily be carried or transported wherever you go — camping, hiking, fishing, etc.  Take a bag with you whenever you travel, even if you don’t plan on having a campfire, so that if an emergency arises, you’ll be better prepared to start a fire for warmth and light. 

Q. Should Instafire be part of my 72 hour emergency kit, food storage, or other emergency preparedness material?
A. Instafire can be an integral part of any emergency kit.   Fires provide heat and light, could keep you from freezing to death (literally),  and could help searchers find you if you were to become lost.  Instafire is a key to being able to start those life-saving fires.  Additionally, it works on snow (yep, that’s right!).  If there is no other fuel around that can be burned, Instafire can be used to boil water or warm food.

Q. Can Instafire be used in snow?
A. You bet.  Pour about a cup of Insta-fire into a pile on the snow.  Once it has ignited, break up any twigs or sticks you can find and place them around the Instafire to form a “log cabin” or “teepee” fire.  Be sure to leave room for air to get to the flames.  As the twigs begin to burn, you can add larger pieces of wood.

Q. How fast does InstaFire ignite?
A. Light time may range from as quick as 1/2 second to 5 seconds depending on how it is lit (matches or lighter, etc) and the humidity.

Q. Will Insta-Fire explode? 
A. Insta-Fire is not an explosion hazard.  Like all flammable substances, however, it should be kept away from high temperatures and open flames. 

Q. How should Insta-Fire be stored?
A. Due to the wax substance contained in the product, Insta-Fire should be kept in a cool dry place.  Areas that are ideal for food storage would also be great places to store Insta-Fire.  For emergency preparedness, pour about a cup of the fire starter into zippable sandwich bags and place in your 72 hour kit, in the seat pockets of your car, or store in your backpack.

Q. Is Insta-Fire only for starting fires, or can it be used as a stand-alone emergency fuel?
A. InstaFire is best used as a fire starter in conjunction with other fuel sources such as charcoal or wood.  However, when other fuel is not available — or as a backup supplement to wood — it can also be used to boil water and warm emergency food.

Q. Does Insta-fire work in the wind or will it blow out?
A. When first lighting InstaFire you will need to shield it from the wind.  Once Instafire is burning, however, it has been shown to burn in winds upwards of 30 MPH.

Q. When using as a stand-alone fire, how can I extend Insta-fire’s burn time?
A.  Occasionally stirring Instafire may help it burn longer.