Every so often we have to step back and just appreciate just how awesome YouTube really is. No matter what you want to share or learn, there’s usually a place for you on YouTube. Over the past few years, Derek Muller from Veritasium and Grant “The King of Random” Thompson have displayed their unique takes on education through their respective channels and — in a recent video — joined forces to show us how all how to start a fire with water and a sandwich bag.

In the video, Thompson explains the process you’ll need to follow in order to show off on your next camping trip and Muller explains a bit of the science. By pinching off the water-filled bag and twisting it until it bulges a bit from the pressure you’re essentially making a bi-convex spherical lens. In other words, a magnifying glass. Getting some sun on it and aiming its focal length at some properly prepared tinder will have it smoking in no time.

Image: Wikimedia Commons | Dr Bob

Thompson continues to defend his royal random status by showing us some more tricks in transferring the smoldering tinder to a bigger bundle and getting it to really ignite. Once he’s gently flipped the hot powered tinder into a bundle of larger dry grasses he doesn’t blow on it to get it more oxygen. Instead, he holds it at arm’s length and spins in a slow and steady manner allowing an even airflow into the bundle without the risk of blowing the coals away.

And even while the magic of YouTube editing may be in play here, the whole process seems surprisingly quick and something we’ll definitely remember should we find ourselves lost in the wilderness after eating a sandwich.

What do you think of the video? Do you have a better method? Let’s discuss in the comments below!

Featured Image: Veritasium