Q&A for How to Create Fire With a Magnifying Glass

The fastest way to burn something with a magnifying glass is to use newspaper. The easiest part to start a fire on a newspaper is an area on which there is a lot of black ink, like in the black and white photos, etc.

Paper burns at 451 degrees Fahrenheit, or 233 degrees Celsius.

Yes. It may just take longer.

A hot sunny day with no clouds should be good, but even then, the best time is 12:00 because it is directly overhead.

You need direct sunlight, so it's possible if you have a sunroof or open window. I don't recommend it because of the risk of burning your house down.

You need full sun, at least one hour before sunset. If sunset is at 6:30, no fire at 6:40. The closer to "high noon," the better (which may be at 2:00 p.m.).

The type of magnifying glass is more important than the brand. For survival purposes, look for a magnifying glass with a plastic (not glass) lens, and that folds into a plastic case for protection purposes.

The sun changes positions in the sky during the day, so the angle will change, too. To get a good result, try shifting angles and distances to see what works.

No. It would melt the plastic before it could set the object on fire. You can get a cheap real glass magnifying glasses at your local home depot.

That's variable. It depends on how much newspaper you use and how well you tend the flame.

It is possible, but it is considerably more difficult to focus the light in one area.

Rock will not burn, you must have combustible material. It does not matter what the combustible material is on.

About 30 seconds to a minute. Be careful and make sure you have water on hand to douse the fire.

No, a lightbulb is not strong enough to generate the heat you need to make fire.

Yes, your lenses will still work. This is called transition lenses, which are designed to block the sunlight and protect your eyes.

No, artificial light typically does not produce enough concentrated energy to start a fire with a magnifying glass.

You do not need to fold the paper. You should position both the paper and the magnifying glass perpendicular to the incoming light rays.

Grasses and leaves are excellent choices, particularly if they are very dry and thin.

No, you cannot. Light passing through a water bottle will not be focused enough to start a fire.

You cannot start a fire with sunglasses because they block most of the light, preventing enough energy from concentrating to ignite a flame.

You are likely not doing anything wrong; starting a fire this way can be challenging. For best results, ensure you have a clear, windless day, hold the magnifying glass perpendicular to the sun's rays, and use very dry, thin tinder that is also positioned to receive the focused light. Even with ideal conditions, igniting a real flame can still require patience.

If it is cloudy, you would find it very difficult to gather enough light energy to start a fire.

No, the shape of the magnifying glass does not affect how long it takes. The critical factor is your ability to focus the sunlight into a small, intense point.

While it's technically possible, it's not very likely. A magnifying glass is much more effective for this purpose.

Yes, you can. Any dry, thin paper should work for this method.

No, you cannot. Flat ice will not focus the incoming light.

Anytime when the sun is shining brightly, though you'll need to adjust the angle of the magnifying glass at different times of the day.

You may need stronger sunlight or a better magnifying glass to successfully start a fire.

Smoke is not necessarily a sign of ignition, but it indicates that you're close. You may need to apply a bit more power or give it a little more time.

Yes, you can use eyeglasses, but they might not work as effectively as a magnifying glass, focuses light more intensely than an eyeglass lens.