How to Make a Pine Cone Burn for a Long Time

Coat pine cones with paraffin wax to extend their burn time.

Pine cones are used for starting fires at home, at the campground and in the backcountry. The natural resin found in pine cones catches a flame and burns hot to ignite the woody pine cone for starting a fire. Rain and snow make starting a fire challenging. However, a pine cone that is treated to burn longer allows damp tinder to dry and catch fire even in adverse conditions.

Things You'll Need

• Pine cone
• Paraffin wax
• Stove top
• Coffee can
• Pot
• Water
• Tongs
• Wax paper

Instructions

1. Place a pot with water on a stove top. Set the heat to medium to begin heating the water. Choose a pot that is large enough to hold a coffee can and water without overflowing.

2. Break paraffin wax into small 1- to 2-inch-size chunks. Place the wax in an old coffee can.

3. Set the can carefully in the pot with heated water on the stove. Allow the wax to warm and melt in the coffee can.

4. Spread wax paper on a work surface. Use several layers of wax paper or place old newspaper underneath the wax paper as desired.

5. Pick up a pine cone with tongs and dip it into the melted paraffin wax. Pull the pine cone out of the wax and allow excess wax to drip off into the coffee can. Place the pine cone on the wax paper to cool. Dip the cone a total of two to three times to build up a good layer of wax on the pine cone to extend the burn time when it's lit.

References

• Canadian Living: Pinecone Fire Starters