Black Beard Fire Starter Rope vs Fire Plugs: Which to Buy
How Black Beard Fire Starter Rope and Fire Plugs compare on burn time, ease of use and where to keep them, plus how to light each one.
Black Beard makes two of the most popular fire starters for campers, hunters and overlanders: Fire Starter Rope and Fire Plugs. Both are made in the USA, both light when wet and both are made to sit in a kit for years. They work a little differently, though, and the right pick depends on how you like to build a fire. Here is how they compare.
Black Beard Fire Starter Rope at a glance
- One rope lights 50+ fires
- Over 4.5 hours of total burn time
- 100% waterproof and lights in any condition
- Infinite shelf life
- Made in the USA
Fire rope comes as one long coil. You cut or pull off exactly as much as you need: a short piece for dry kindling on a calm night, or a longer piece when the wood is damp and needs more time to catch. Fluff the cut end so the fibers catch a spark or flame easily.
Shop Black Beard Fire Starter Rope
Black Beard Fire Plugs at a glance
- 50 plugs per pack
- About 8 minutes of burn time per plug, according to Black Beard
- Waterproof and windproof
- Long shelf life (Black Beard lists 30 years)
- Made in the USA
Fire Plugs are pre-cut pieces. You bend one, break it open to expose the fibers and light it. There is nothing to measure or cut, so they are quick to use with cold hands or in the dark.
Rope vs plugs: which should you buy?
Pick the rope if you want flexibility
The rope lets you choose how much to burn each time, so one coil can stretch further when conditions are good and give you a big, long-burning start when they are not. It packs into a tight coil that fits a pocket, a glovebox or the bottom of a pack. You will want a knife or scissors to cut it.
Pick the plugs if you want speed and simplicity
Plugs are ready to go with no tools. That makes them great for kids learning to build fires, for quick lunch stops on the trail and for anyone who would rather not fumble with a knife on a cold morning.
Or carry both
Many people keep plugs in a day pack for fast fires and a rope coil in the truck or home kit as the long-lasting backup. Since neither one goes bad, there is no downside to keeping some of each.
How to light Black Beard fire starters
- Prep your fuel first. Gather pencil-thin twigs, thumb-thick sticks and bigger logs before you light anything.
- Prep the starter. Cut a 1 to 2 inch piece of rope and fluff the end, or bend and break open a plug.
- Light it. A lighter, match or ferro rod spark will all work.
- Build up slowly. Lean small twigs over the flame in a teepee and add bigger pieces only once the small ones are burning well.
For more tips on damp wood and windy nights, read How to Start a Fire in Wet Weather.
Where to keep them
- Camping and hiking packs: a few plugs or a short coil of rope in a zip bag
- Truck or overland rig: a full rope coil in the glovebox or recovery bag
- Hunting pack: a quick way to warm up on long sits or when tracking runs late
- Home kit: a backup for power outages, fireplaces and wood stoves
Planning a trip? Our Overlanding and Road Trip Gear Checklist covers the rest of the kit.
Safety
Always check local fire restrictions before you light up, keep water close by and make sure your fire is cold to the touch before you leave.
The bottom line
Both Black Beard starters will get a fire going when matches alone will not. Choose the rope for the most control over each fire, or the plugs for fast, no-tool starts. Black Beard Fire Starter Rope ships free within the U.S. from Overstock HQ, with a 30-day return window.
