How to Make Fire Starters Using Sawdust & Wax
Fire starters make it easier to kindle a campfire, a fireplace or a wood stove by keeping a small flame burning long enough for the larger pieces of wood to catch. Not only are they handy to have for lighting campfires, fire starters can also be used in your woodburning fireplace and are a smart addition to any emergency preparedness kit. By using recycled wax, cardboard collected from around the house, and sawdust, you can make fire starters easily and for virtually no money.
Things You'll Need
- Cardboard egg cartons or unwaxed paper cups
- Sawdust
- Candle wax or paraffin wax
- Newspaper, kraft paper or other paper
- Double boiler or stovetop
Instructions
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1
Melt the wax in the double boiler or on the stove until it is liquefied. Remove from heat.
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2
Mix sawdust into the wax, adding more sawdust as needed until the mixture is a thick consistency.
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3
Carefully pour the mixture into empty cardboard egg cartons or unwaxed paper cups.
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4
Cool the starters completely until the wax is hardened. Each cup of an egg carton is one fire starter and can be broken away once the wax is completely hardened.
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5
Roll each starter in some paper and tie the ends, leaving paper free at each end to light. Store the starters in a cool, dry place, away from heat and flames.
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To use, place a fire starter in the center of the campfire ring. Place small twigs and wood on top of it, with larger pieces of wood around it. Light the paper ends of the fire starter and then layer some more small pieces of wood on top of it, ensuring proper air flow to the flame.
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Tips & Warnings
Fire starters are economical when made with recycled wax such as old candles, small scraps of wax and drippings. You can also use empty toilet paper tubes or paper muffin cups instead of cardboard egg cartons.
If you don't have enough sawdust, you can also mix in dryer lint.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
