US patent number 4,261, 700 discloses a gelled fuel suitable for igniting wood and charcoal. The gelled fuel consists of 42% to 92% monohydric alcohol, 0.5% to 6% of a water-soluble gelling agent, up to about 24% water and 0.5% to 30% propellant. This fuel is a gelled structure, which forms a shape retaining mass upon contact with wood or charcoal.

A disadvantage of this gelled fuel is that the alcohol, of which a major part is ethanol, is produced synthetically through a chemical process, which is potentially hazardous to the environment.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a fire starter composition, use of such a fire starter composition, a method of preparing such a composition, and a briquette containing such a composition with which the

aforesaid disadvantage can be overcome or at least minimised or to provide a fire starter composition which is a useful and environmentally friendly alternative to the known compositions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a fire starter composition including ethanol produced through a process of fermentation of a carbohydrate sourced from plant material ; and a gelling agent.

The composition may further include water.

The composition may yet further include a coupling agent for stabilising the composition.

The carbohydrate may be sourced from plant material selected from the group consisting of sugar cane, grapes and cacti plants.

The ethanol may constitute between 60% and 90%, preferably 75% of the composition on a mass per mass basis.

The gelling agent may constitute between 0. 1% and 5%, preferably 0.5% of the composition on a mass per mass basis.

The water may constitute between 10% and 40%, preferably 24% of the composition on a mass per mass basis.

The coupling agent may constitute between 0. 1% and 5% preferably 0.5% of the composition on a mass per mass basis.

The coupling agent may be an amine ester.

The composition may even further include one or more combustion promoters selected from the group consisting of potassium chlorate, sodium chlorate, potassium nitrate, sodium nitrate, ammonium nitrate and ammonium persulphate.

The composition may include an insect repelling agent such as citronella oil.

The composition may include carbon particles. The carbon particles may be in the form of coal dust.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided use of a fire starter composition according to the first aspect of the invention in a portable cooker.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of preparing a fire starter composition including the steps of: providing a carbohydrate sourced from plant material; fermenting the carbohydrate to produce ethanol ; and mixing the ethanol with a gelling agent to form a gel.

The method may include the further step of adding water to the gel.

The method may include the further step of adding a coupling agent to the gel to stabilise the gel.

The ethanol may constitute between 60% and 90%, preferably 75% of the composition on a mass per mass basis.

The gelling agent may constitute between 0. 1% and 5%, preferably 0.5% of the composition on a mass per mass basis.

The water may constitute between 40% and 10%, preferably 24% of the composition on a mass per mass basis.

The coupling agent may constitute between 0. 1% and 5% preferably 0.5% of the composition on a mass per mass basis.

The coupling agent may be an amine ester.

The method may include the further step of adding one or more combustion promoters to the gel and which are selected from the group consisting of potassium chlorate, sodium. chlorate, potassium nitrate, sodium nitrate, ammonium nitrate and ammonium persulphate.

The method may include the further step of adding an insect repelling agent such as citronella oil to the composition.

The method may include the step of mixing the composition with carbon particles such that the carbon particles constitute between 1 and 90 % of the total mixture on a mass per mass basis. The carbon particles may be in the form of coal dust.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a briquette for providing a heat source on combustion comprising a compacted mixture of the gel composition (excluding the carbon particles) as hereinbefore described and carbon particles.

The carbon particles may constitute between 1 and 90 % of the total compacted mixture on a mass per mass basis.

The carbon particles may be in the form of coal dust.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of the following non-limiting example : A fire starter composition according to a preferred embodiment of the invention was prepared through a method including the steps of: - providing carbohydrates sourced from sugar cane; - fermenting the carbohydrates to produce 800 litre ethanol ; - mixing the ethanol with 15 kg of a gelling agent in the form of Carbopolo to obtain a mixture (the gelling agent is sieved and the mixture mixed rapidly to restrict clotting) ; - adding water to the mixture until the mixture consists of 24% water on a mass per mass basis; and - adding 7 kg of a coupling agent in the form of an amine ester (Amp95@) to the mixture to form a gel.

The above components were selected such that the gel consisted of 75% ethanol, 0. 5% gelling agent, 24% water, and 0.5% coupling agent.

Table 1 shows results obtained from tests performed as to the characteristics of the composition.

Table 1 Composition Characteristic Value Flash point 30 °C Auto ignition temperature 120 °C Heat value 31. 7 KJ/g pH of 1% solution 5.5 Boiling point 78. 5 °C Specific gravity 0.88 g/l Vapour pressure 43 mm Hg at 20 °C Viscosity 80 000 cps (Brookfield no 4.6 rpm) It is foreseen that the addition of combustion promoters aids in the combustion of the fire starter composition, once most of the ethanol has burnt away. The combustion promoters are selected from the group consisting of potassium chlorate, sodium chlorate, potassium nitrate, sodium nitrate, ammonium nitrate and ammonium persulphate.

It is further foreseen that the fire starter composition is relatively easy to use and store. It is further environmentally friendly since it is substantially smokeless and non-toxic in low dosages. Further advantages of the composition are that it is safe and relatively effective for rapid cooking and heating, there are limited inorganic residues to be disposed of once the

composition has burnt out, the composition is non-flaring when it is set alight and it is non-explosive.

It will be appreciated that the fire starter composition could be used for a wide range of purposes, for example, in squeeze type bottles and/or sachets for lighting wood or charcoal, and with a portable cooker, which is easily transported to allow for economical and easy cooking of meals.

The method includes the optional further steps of adding to the composition: an insect repelling agent such as citronella oil ; -carbon particles such as coal dust, such that the carbon particles constitute between 1 and 90 % of the total mixture on a mass per mass basis; and/or a colorant.

In the case where carbon particles are mixed with the composition, the mixture is compacted in known fashion to form a briquette for providing a heat source on combustion thereof. It will be appreciated that to form a briquette, the carbon particles will have to constitute in excess of 60% of the total mixture on a mass per mass basis to form a solid on compaction. It is further foreseen that the briquettes will light relatively easily without the addition of fuel.

It will be appreciated further that variations in detail are possible with a fire starter composition, use, a method, and a briquette according to the invention without departing from the scope of the appended claims.