How to Build the Ultimate Altoids Tin Fire Kit

Fire is one of the most important survival skills you can master. With fire, you get warmth, light, cooking, water purification, and morale. That’s why many survivalists and outdoors enthusiasts carry a compact fire kit — and one of the most popular containers is the humble Altoids tin.

A quick google search will reveal that Altoids Survival Kits are a pretty big deal. And this isn't a short-lived fad either. We have all built one of these kits and they continue to be a staple in many outdoor kits, at one level or another.

Some people challenge themselves to use these tiny survival kits as their primary means of surviving. While others use them as supplements to a larger outdoor kit. I, personally, fall into the supplemental side of this equation for my Altoids Survival Kits. No matter what side you're on, I believe we can all agree, they are a ton of fun!

For a deeper dive into other types of Pocket Survival Kits check out our guide to Altoids tin survival and EDC Kits

 

Why Create an Altoids Tin Fire Kit?

An Altoids tin fire kit is ideal for several reasons:

1. Compact and Portable: The small size of the tin makes it easy to carry every day, fitting comfortably into your pocket, bag, or even on a keychain with accessories like Grim Workshop’s Bandit.
2. Customizable: You can tailor the contents of your fire kit based on your specific needs, environment, and skill level.
3. Essential Survival Skill: The ability to start a fire is a basic survival skill that can make the difference between life and death in an emergency. Having a compact, reliable fire kit ensures you’re always prepared.

One Altoids Survival Kit that I've been very intrigued by, as of late, has been the Altoids Fire Kit. It can be a highly functional fire kit if you add the right gear into it.

What to Pack in Your Altoids Tin Fire Kit

 Ignition Sources

• Ferro Rod & Striker – Rugged, waterproof, and long-lasting. (Grim’s Firefly Card includes a ferro rod, striker, and blade in credit-card size.)

• Mini Bic Lighter – Easy, reliable ignition.

• Matches – Waterproof matches or DIY waterproof (dip regular matches in clear nail polish).

• Fresnel Lens – Solar ignition, ultra-flat, weightless.

 Tinder Options

• Cotton balls + petroleum jelly (classic DIY, store in small zipper bags)

• Tinder Card – Grim's Waterproof, surefire tinder that burns long and hot.

• Pyro Putty – A clean accelerant-based tinder.

• Jute twine teased into fibers (waxed is best, but unwaxed works too).

• Small piece of fatwood.

 Bonus Additions

• Magnesium -Shaved magnesium wrapped in foil (burns at 2000°F).

• Wax – provide a waterproof coating for tinder materials that can lengthen burn time.

• Aluminum Foil - Reflects heat, acts as a windscreen, or container to melt wax.

My "GRIM-ified" Altoids Fire Kit contains...

• The Tin:
  I am using one of our Steel Storage Tins, which is the same overall size as an Altoids Tin. The tin itself is a great container for my kit. But, I can also make charred material for follow-up fires in it. As well as build a small fire in it to dry out larger materials during inclement weather.
• Fire starting cards
  I am still using my O.G. Hot Shot Card in this particular kit (the 2.0 is even better). But, the premise of this piece of kit remains, I have a secondary cutting tool, a ferro rod, some magnesium, and a saw in a compact package.
• Fire Starting Kit: I have also kept a few items from our Fire Starting Kit in my Altoids Fire Kit.
  - Spartan Fire Tinder Card (surefire tinder)
  - Fresnel Lens (for solar ignition of charred material)
  - A backup ferro rod & striker
  - Pyro Putty (accelerant-based tinder)
• Room for more...
  The kit above will definitely get you started. But, you can, of course, add more to this tin if you'd like. I, personally, like to squeeze a Mini BIC Lighter into my kit, space permitting.

Buy Fire Starting Kits

 

How to Pack It (Step-by-Step)

1. Line the bottom with tinder (cotton, Tinder Cards , jute twine).

2. Add ignition sources (ferro rod, matches, Fresnel lens).

3. Use small baggies or foil packets to keep messy items separate.

4. Lay your Hot Shot Fire Card or other card components flat against the lid or bottom of the tin. They can also be used to seperate elemnets of the kit from eachother

5. Add a Mini Bic lighter last if space allows.

6. Close and shake — if it rattles too much, add cotton or tinder to pad it.

Why would you want an Altoids Fire Kit?

• A kit like this will start fires in a wide variety of ways.
• Ferro rods & magnesium are fantastic in high-wind, cold-weather, and wet environments.
• Solar ignition methods (i.e. the fresnel magnification lens) will never run out of fuel. As long as you have the sun and some charred material or punk wood, you can create an ember to nurse into a flame.
  Pro-tip: You can also use a high-lumen flashlight to get an ember in some cases as well.
• The tin will last you a very long while, even under the stress of a real survival scenario. You can toss it into the fire to make charred material, mix up medicinal herbs, and so much more.

Buy Fire Starting Kits

 

Using Your Altoids Fire Kit in the Field

• Practice First: Don’t wait for an emergency — try each method at home.

• Wet Conditions: Use magnesium shavings, tinder card,  or Pyro Putty when tinder is damp.

• Windy Conditions: Shield your tinder with your body, your altoids tin, or dig a shallow fire pit.

• Make Char Cloth: Burn old cotton in the tin until blackened. Store for future fires.

Pro Tips & Tricks

• Carry at least 3 ignition methods — ferro rod + lighter + magnifier is a solid combo.

• Pre-coat cotton balls with petroleum jelly and store in foil.

• In cold weather, warm your lighter in your pocket before use.

• Use the tin to dry damp kindling or keep a coal alive for hours.

As I said at the beginning of this article, Altoids Survival Kits are a TON of fun to put together. And they're even more fun to go out and train with. So, let's hear it, what will you put in your Altoids Fire Kit from our collection of gear?

See our fire kit items here

 

Different Size Options for Fire Kits

Fire kits don’t have to be bulky to be useful. You can scale them to fit your carry style, from a pouch you keep in your backpack to a DIY kit tucked in your wallet. Here are some popular sizes and why they work.

• Pouch Fire Kit – Full-sized setup with multiple tools, tinder, and backups. Great for bugout bags or car kits. ↗
• Altoids Tin Fire Kit – A classic survival hack. Compact, sturdy, and easy to customize with lighters, ferro rods, and tinder. ↗
• Necklace Fire Kit – Wearable fire starters like Grim Workshop’s Dog Tag Tools give you instant access without digging through gear. ↗
• Keychain Fire Kit – Keep a tiny ferro rod or mini lighter on your keys so you never leave home without fire. ↗
• Small Fire Kit – Think palm-sized containers that fit in a pocket or side pouch. Enough for everyday carry without weighing you down. ↗
• Micro Fire Kit – Ultra-compact tools like Grim PAKs or micro ferro rods that disappear in your smallest pockets until needed. ↗
• DIY Wallet Fire Kit – Flatpack gear like Grim Survival Cards lets you carry fire tools in the space of a credit card. Perfect for everyday readiness without bulk. ↗

Grim Tip Cards Waterproof Pocket Guides

 Grim Tip Cards are like pocket sized survival mentors. Each one is a waterproof, credit card sized guide packed with quick, practical info you can use in the field. Whether it is fire starting, navigation, or first aid, these cards slip into your wallet or kit without taking up space. Picture a fan of fire starting wisdom with techniques, tinder tips, and spark tricks ready at your fingertips, turning knowledge into flame when it counts.

FAQ: Altoids Tin Fire Kits

Q: Can you fly with an Altoids fire kit?
A: No, TSA won’t allow ferro rods, strikers, or matches in carry-on. Build a “travel-safe” version with solar ignition only.

Q: What is the best tinder for wet conditions?
A: Grim's Tinder Cards or Pyro Putty work best because they’re waterproof. Fatwood is a strong natural option, or split larger pieces of wood and harvest the dry centers.

Q: How long does a ferro rod last?
A: Depending on size, a quality ferro rod can produce thousands of strikes.

Q: Can an Altoids tin itself be used in fire making?
A: Yes, you can use it to make char cloth, as a wind break, or as a small container for your fire itself (if it's empty)

Q: Should I include magnesium?
A: Magnesium burns hot, but fast. It’s best paired with tinder like our tinder card or cotton balls soaked in petrolium jelly which burn a bit longer but will catch from the hot magnesium burning.

 

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About The Author

Based in the Appalachian Mountains, Anthony is a commercial photographer and avid outdoorsman. Whether he's setting up a scene for a photograph or getting things ready to camp, Anthony feels most at home with mud on his boots and a warm campfire burning nearby. Learn more at AnthonyAwaken.com