preparation of bracket fungus for spark tinder

[Landy_Dom]

Hi All

Tried taking blushing bracket and preparing it for spark tinder. Forgot to read up on it before diving in and oven drying it - then read Mr Mears and found I'm supposed to simmer it for hours then beat it up with a wooden mallet. So I've been boiling it up with a little baking soda (home substitute for woodash alkali?) and we'll see how it goes.

Has anyone done this successfully? Have I stuffed it up by oven drying before boiling? How long / short can you get away with boiling it for? Any other tips?

Any help would be appreciated?

Thanks!

 

[Landy_Dom]

After a bit more drying, and roughing the surface up a bit with a knife, it took a spark from a flint and steel.

Anyone else tried this?