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Gear That Wins

Black Beard Fire Plugs Review: Waterproof Fire Starter Tested Underwater

February 27, 2026

When you’re camping — especially solo — fire isn’t optional.

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It’s warmth. It’s cooking. It’s morale.

So I wanted to test a bold claim:
Are Black Beard Fire Plugs actually waterproof?

Instead of taking the packaging’s word for it, I fully submerged one in water… then tried to light it immediately.

🔥 The Waterproof Test

I placed the fire plug completely underwater for several seconds. No tricks. No partial dip.

Pulled it out dripping wet.

Struck it.

It ignited instantly.

No drying. No prep. No hesitation.

That’s the kind of reliability that matters when conditions aren’t ideal.


Burn Time & Performance

Each plug is rated for:

  • Up to 8 minutes of burn time
  • Waterproof & windproof
  • 30-year shelf life
  • Lightweight (50 plugs = about 4.5 oz)

In testing, the burn was strong and sustained long enough to catch damp kindling.

That’s the difference between “fire starter” and “fire insurance.”


Why This Matters in Real-World Use

If you paddle.
If you backpack.
If you’ve ever dropped gear in a lake.

Water happens.

A fire starter that fails after getting wet is basically useless.

For trips like my upcoming Boundary Waters run, I don’t gamble on ignition.

These are lightweight enough to toss into:

  • Camp kits
  • Bug-out bags
  • Vehicle emergency kits
  • Hunting packs

Who Are These Good For?

  • Campers & backpackers
  • Hikers
  • Survivalists
  • Preppers
  • Anyone building an emergency kit

They’re simple:
Bend. Break. Light.

No chemicals. No weird smell. No messy prep.


Final Thoughts

Black Beard Fire Plugs passed the waterproof test.

If reliability matters more than flashy gimmicks, these are worth considering.

You can check them out here:

👉 Get yours here

Disclosure: I may earn a commission if you purchase through this link at no additional cost to you.