How to Make a Fire Starter Out of Candle Wax
These fire-starters are easy to make. They can be used to start campfires or fires in wood-burning fireplaces. They also make a great craft project for scouts or summer campers. These fire-starters burn a long time and eliminate the need to add kindling to your fire. Stock up on them for use in your home or add them to gift baskets along with the ingredients for s'mores to give to friends and neighbors during the holidays.
Things You'll Need
- Cardboard egg cartons
- Dryer lint (saved up over time)
- Paraffin or candle wax (save the ends of used candles)
- Double boiler or coffee can
- Medium-sized pot
- Newspaper
Instructions
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1
Lay out some newspaper to protect your countertops from wax drips. Open the egg cartons and set them face up on top of the newspaper. Fill about 2/3 of each cup in the egg carton with dryer lint. Do not overfill.
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2
Bring a medium-sized pot of water (about 1/3 full) to a slow rolling boil. Place a double boiler or old coffee can in the water and add the wax. Stir frequently until it is melted. Never melt wax in a pot over direct heat, it can catch fire.
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3
Pour wax carefully over each cup in the egg crates until the dryer lint is covered. Use oven mitts if you used a coffee can, it will get very hot. Melt more wax as needed. Allow the wax to cool completely.
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4
Use a serrated knife or kitchen shears to cut out the individual fire-starters (the cups that held each egg). There will naturally be a few "peaks" of cardboard around each fire-starter. You will use these as wicks, by lighting them to ensure the fire-starter burns properly.
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Tips & Warnings
These fire starters can also be made in paper muffin cups. Just be sure to peel the paper back a bit for lighting.
Never use these firestarters in wood stoves or fireplace inserts.
Wax is flammable. Never melt over direct heat.
If you are doing this project with kids, be sure an adult prepares and pours the wax.
Use these fire starters at your own risk. If you are making them for other people, you should include a list of instructions and safety measures.
