How to Make Firestarters

Firestarters get a fire going fast and burn clean. Using newspaper to start a fire leaves residue in a chimney and requires that it be swept often. It can be expensive to buy a firestarter, but you can make your own easily and economically. Make a firestarter at home as a fun, rainy day activity with disposable items found around the house.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Save items that you need to make a firestarter. Keep dryer lint, wood shavings, cardboard egg cartons, pinecones and leftover candle wax.
2. Melt saved candle wax. A double boiler works well.
3. Place a pinch of wood chips or dryer lint in each section of an egg carton, and pour a small amount of melted wax on top. Leave about 1/2 inch of space in each section of the egg carton for burning. Store the egg carton firestarter until needed.
4. Dip pinecones in melted wax to make more firestarters. Use 3 or 4 layers of wax on each pinecone. Cover at least two-thirds of the pinecone for the best results.
5. Use your homemade firestarters by cutting off 2 or 3 sections of the egg carton and placing them in the fireplace under a wood pile. Light the edge of the firestarters and enjoy the scent and the clean burn. Use pinecone firestarters the same way, judging how many you need by the size of the pinecones. You may need a bit of kindling as well if your logs are large or not thoroughly seasoned.

Tips & Warnings

• Create a beautiful gift basket with some pinecone firestarters, fireplace matches or other small accessories.