I often inspect the huge bin of glass for potential resources. I have recovered soup bowls, floral vases, thick bottom bottles that I use for flint knapping, and recently I spotted a sphere shaped bottle that I removed it’s label and filled it with water to become a solar lens with which to create fire.

In a previous article “Optical Fire Method Using A Vinegar Bottle” my optical fire tool came from a shopping trip, but this glass bottle originally came from a liquor store.

It may not be a practical tool for hiking but a fun part of firecraft and could actually save the day in an emergency. In any case, be aware of possible resources when you travel out and about.

This could be a staple in your kitchen that could serve dual purposes, culinary and optical. In fact, when emptied it could be refilled with water or any other clear liquid to renew it’s optical properties.

While my experiment was done in late October it still performed well at the sun’s latitude. I had to catch a trangent opening in the clouds to create an ember.

There are better tools to create fire but this just adds one more way to create a fire in an emergency. Next time that you go shopping you might pick one of these up to experiment with and see if you can create a coal. Keep in mind that a dark material works best as tinder and heats up quicker.

Because it was only a few days past Summer Solstice the sun was very high in the sky and couldn’t produce a focal point in a strategic spot. I could have waited several hours for the sun to lower for a better angle but I decided to change the angle of light by using a mirror.

I used some moss and a dry leaf as my tinder but in the fishbowl fire scenario it could be a table top placemat or decoration that catches fire. My particular arrangement had success.

Without manipulation a fire occurrence would be rare indeed but not impossible given the right angle of the sun, a proper focal distance, and dry (probably dark) flammable target material.

Here are some helpful hints when experimenting with water lenses: it is best to stabilize the vessel, the sun angle can be modified using reflectors, use the brightest (and smallest) focal point, and use dry, dark, and compressed fibrous tinder.

I have written an article entitled “Spring Equinox – Optical Firecrafts’ Friend” which shows some of the devices that I have used to start an optical fire. While shopping for groceries awhile back I happened to see a vinegar bottle on a shelf and I noticed the spherical shape of the jar that was filled with clear white vinegar. Recognizing the optical character of this vessel I had to take it hope to have some fun with the sun.

Most liquid filled bottles or jars have some air at the top inside as was the case with this bottle so I elevated the neck of the bottle in order to capture the air and pointed it away from the sun to keep it from interfering with the concave properties of the spherical body.

As with all optical methods, tinder is a critical component of the process so I always look for dry dark fibrous material that I have flattened to create a flat surface upon which the light rays can focus. I often give the tinder a slight orbital rotation to generate a larger spot of heat. When you see embers forming, a direct gentle breath is used to increase it’s size until it is big enough to blow into a flame.

In this case I placed my materials on the back bumper of my car at a convenient height to get things started. Of course you will want to gather your fire lay materials ahead of time so that once you have a flame you can apply it to your campfire.

The materials that I used included a satellite dish antenna, some olive oil, and a discarded birthday balloon made of silvered Mylar that I had salvaged from a local dumpster. The oil was used for adhesion because of it’s dense viscosity and sticky nature towards the thin Mylar foil but a person could use a spray adhesive instead for a more permanent application.

I cut the balloon along the side so that the Mylar film could be spread out into a flat sheet. Next I cleaned the surface of the antenna before pouring a small amount of oil on the antenna dish and spread it by hand evenly on the surface. Then I laid the foil over the oiled dish surface and smoothed it out with my dry hand. I tucked the outlying foil under the dish edges to prevent light winds from lifting it off of the dish. Then I pointed the dish at the sun.

For optical firecraft I use dark colored tinder because it absorbs heat better. I prefer using fibrous material that I press together to create a flat surface onto which the reflected light can focus. You can place the palm of your hand above the dish briefly to find the focal point of the light rays so that you can know where to position the tinder. After a few moments smoke began to appear from the tinder bundle and in short order an ember began to glow whereupon I removed it and blew it into a flame.

How practical is this method? Much easier than most primitive methods used in the woods but keeping in mind that these materials are readily available in an urban setting where it would most likely be used. Of course, you’ll also need sunshine!

This method uses a plastic wrap material suspended in an embroidery frame with water poured onto it. The weight of the water causes the plastic wrap to stretch in a shallow parabola that creates a water lens. As with any lens there is a focal point where you would focus the sunbeam to a small point that when focused onto some tinder is hot enough to ignite it.

I had to elevate my lens high enough to focus the sunlight so I used various items to support the frame, in this case two plastic buckets, two boards, and two bricks. Water lenses need to be undisturbed by wind or by it’s support system so a windless day with a steady support system is crucial. My conditions were perfect and in short order smoke began to appear on my tinder and after an ember formed I let it grow while I blew air lightly on it. Then I placed the ember into a tinder bird’s nest and continued to nurture it into a flame.

I’ve done all sorts of optical fire methods and learned about the nature of each one but now I can mark this one off of my list and look forward to trying the next one. Experience is the best teacher so I invite you to try this method out for yourself.

I recalled an article that I wrote entitled “How To Make A Poplar Leaf Basket” where I folded a leaf into a collection pouch, however now I was in an office environment so I figured that the next best resource would be a sheet of paper. For folks who follow origami, there are numerous ways to fold a box. As I folded the paper I just innovated as I went and you can see the results in the photo. Essentially I folded the paper in thirds to create creases then I pinched the corners inward and folded them over on themselves.

It has been said that “the more you know, the less you carry” and I think that applies to this scenario…”making do” with what you have. When you have a dull moment, give this “paper box” a try. You’ll probably find a better way but at least you’ll have the experience that teaches us so well and adds to our arsenal of survival skills.

After breakfast we began discussing survival basics such as the rule of 3s and survival priorities. Then we discussed edible plants, finding direction and shelters. Of course, we ended up with firecraft and we discussed the fire making categories of friction, percussion, optical and electrical. I used a broken headlamp to start a fire by the solar method. Then I showed how to use fine steel wool with a 9 volt battery to start a fire and everyone had a chance to try it for themselves. Then I showed how to use steel wool instead of charcloth to catch a spark using flint and steel, and in the end I demonstrated fire by friction using the bow and spindle method.

Recently I acquired some basswood and it is now my new best friend for fire by friction. In the last couple of weeks I’ve been able to guide several folks in accomplishing their first successful fire by friction by bow and spindle. It is such a delight to see the joy of their success. Such was the case this morning where 4 guys made their first bow and spindle fires and a young lad made his first flint and steel fire.

The program director, Matthew McNiel showed me a fire piston that he had made out of inexpensive hardware, so now it’s on my “to-do” list to accomplish. As we concluded our time, Matthew began to envision next year’s programs in which I may be able to participate. It was a great day with prospects of a great future.

There have been various historical and religious celebrations on this day, but I celebrate it because, for me, it begins the optical firecraft season. The higher the sun is in positioned, the better its’ performance to generate heat. A noon-time sun can be more advantageous when using fluid optics such as when using water in an open vessel placed over tinder beneath it. I have included a photo of some of the various items that I have used to make fire by the optical method. Although this season works best, larger devices such as a page-sized Fresnel lens almost always works as long as there is direct sunlight. Size DOES make a difference when using optics. So whether you reflect light off a mirrored surface, or refract light through a lens, now is the time begin experimenting and practicing, so that you will be ready for an optically generated fire.

Fire by ice optical method

Now that Summer has arrived, the sun is at it’s best for optical fire methods. You can use concave reflectors that you point at the sun and find the focus point where you hold the tinder. Some items that I’ve used include flashlights, soda cans, broken headlights, jewelry, doorknobs, compact mirrors, etc. Also, you can use convex lenses. Some items that I’ve used include marbles, paper weights, magnifying lens, fresnel lens, clear light bulbs, vases, plastic bags, etc. Visit my Contact page and drop me a line with other items that you have used!