Safe use of the MIL ASADOS Fire Starter

Fuel

Use 96% ethyl alcohol only.

Never use: methylated or denatured alcohol with additives, gel alcohol, scented bioethanol or bioethanol with additives, petrol, kerosene, white spirit, thinners, barbecue lighter fluid, or any other fuel or accelerant. Any of them can cause flare-ups, sprays of burning liquid or the bottle exploding.

How to load it

With the fire starter cold, resting inside the fireplace, grill or brazier, on a non-combustible surface.
Pour slowly into the first hexagonal point until you see one or two drops fall from underneath: that means the mesh is saturated.
Stop pouring there. Repeat at the other two points.

As a reference: 80 to 100 ml of 96% ethyl alcohol in total.

If any alcohol spills outside the fire starter, dry it completely before lighting.

Before lighting

Alcohol bottle closed and at least three metres away from the fire starter.
A non-combustible surface underneath. Nothing flammable around: loose firewood, paper, rags, aerosols, gas bottles, awnings, curtains.
No children or pets nearby.
No loose sleeves or hanging fabric. Hair tied back.
Water, sand or a fire extinguisher within reach.
A ventilated space. Never indoors or in an enclosed area.

Lighting

Light it from the loading station, using a long-reach lighter or a long match.
Never with your face, arm or body over the fire starter.
Pull your hand back and step away immediately after lighting it.
Do not blow on the flame or fan it.

While it is burning

Do not move or lift the fire starter while it is lit.
Do not add alcohol under any circumstances while the fire starter is lit or hot.
An alcohol flame is almost transparent: in daylight it looks out when it is not. When in doubt, treat it as lit.
Do not leave it unattended.

Refilling and cooling down

There is one rule: if you cannot rest a bare hand on the perforated metal body — not on the handle — you do not refill it. Wait.

NEVER refill it while hot, even if it looks out.
Refill only when the perforated metal body — not the handle — can be touched with a bare hand.
The handle cools down before the body does, so it is no guide.
Refilling while hot can cause a deflagration — a flash fire: the alcohol vaporises on contact with the hot metal and the vapour ignites all at once, flaring towards you and towards the bottle.

Putting it out and storing it

Let the alcohol burn itself out. Do not put it out with water.
Handle it only once it is cold.
Store it dry, empty and cold, in its holder and under cover.

If something goes wrong

Burning spill: smother it with sand or an ABC or BC fire extinguisher. Do not throw pressurised water on burning alcohol: it spreads it.
Clothing on fire: stop, drop to the ground and roll. Do not run.
Burns: cool running water for 10 to 20 minutes. No ice, no toothpaste, no oil, do not break blisters. See a doctor.
Emergency: call your local emergency number (911 in Argentina) or the fire brigade.

Responsible use

The MIL ASADOS Fire Starter must be operated by adults only. If a minor is present, they must remain under adult supervision at all times and away from the lighting area.

Using the product involves the risks inherent to handling fire and flammable liquids, which the user accepts. It is the user’s sole responsibility to read, understand and follow these instructions. EXPANDO SRL is not liable for damage arising from improper use of the product, from the use of fuels other than 96% ethyl alcohol, from refilling while hot, from use by minors or without adult supervision, from modifying or altering the product, or from use in conditions or for purposes other than those set out in this guide.

Nothing on this page limits the rights granted to the consumer by Argentina’s Consumer Protection Act (Ley 24.240), which governs the purchase.

Last updated: 31 August 2026