EZ firestarter

[MANDERS]

You can do this one of 2 ways both real cheap.

The first one is for folks like me who have a yard filled with pinecones.

You need to make sure the pinecone is dried out and then melt candle wax in a double boiler(old coffee can in a pot of water should work fine.Then add your scent.To make it cheaper you can melt old candles,just make sure to take out any wicks.Let the wax cool for about 15 min and dip pinecone till covered let cool .

THe other starter you need and egg carton(styrofoam),dryer lint candle wax and scent of your choice.Melt wax like the above.Put lint into each slot in egg carton(more is better)pour wax over till full but not running over and let cool.

[Mom23boys]

1. Melt old colored candle stubs, dip pine cones in hot wax and place on a piece of wax paper.
2. Fill muffin tins half full with hot wax, place a wick on the side of the tin and dip wax-coated pine cones into each tin. The wick will be anchored in the wax and attached securely to the pine cone.
3. Cool in freezer five to 10 minutes.
4. Turn upside down and cones should fall out.
5. To use, just place under wood and light.

[became4347]

This is so funny because I just took care of some leftover wax from old candles last night. I make firestarters for my emergency kits. I have a paper egg carton which I have place saved dryer lint balls and a couple of cotton plugs (OTC medication bottles). I melt the wax and pour over the lint or cotton. These make great firestarters in an emergency. You can just rip/cut off a few 'eggs' and light the paper.

I've never had to use one for a real emergency yet, but remember the couple last year that was stranded for many days in a forest? (Eventually, I think the husband did take the tires off and burn them.) My point is that you never know when you will need to start a fire, and these little suckers are a good frugal way to prepare for such an emergency. Some people even use them for the fireplace, too.

[LastDragonfly]

I know you can make your own firestarter by taking particle board and ripping it up and soaking in kerosene but aaack, I don't want to have anything soaking in kerosene.

Take some cotton balls, put them in one of those bazillion altoid tins (that you were saving for altered art, I know cuz I have some) pour some melted vaseline over them let them soak.

I did that and started my fireplace this morning. wahhhoooo. I cant believe it worked! I really did it for experiments sake.

[santoria]

or:

dryer lint
paper egg cartons
melted wax

tuck the lint into the cups, cut into singles and then melt the wax - use up all those extra bits leftover from big ones and dribble it over the lint. the wax should hold the lint in the cup.

totally frugal.

[Momto2Boyz]

We always use dryer lint when trying to start a fire in our fire pit outside! It works great!

[YankeeMom]

I usually use the duraflame firestarters too. But when I run out, I stuff dryer lint in an empty toilet paper or paper towel tube and light that. It works pretty well. Newspaper is a PITA and I only use it as a last resort.

[Sassyclass]

Yup, dryer lint in toilet paper rolls works great.

Cat

[Jeanna]

Although I don't have wood heat now, when I did I would collect pinecones and wax them. They worked like a charm.

[Spirit Deer]

or:

dryer lint
paper egg cartons
melted wax

tuck the lint into the cups, cut into singles and then melt the wax - use up all those extra bits leftover from big ones and dribble it over the lint. the wax should hold the lint in the cup.

totally frugal.

I make them the same way except leave the egg trays together till after the wax is poured in and cooled. They break apart easily and the little 'ears' sticking out are handy for getting them lit. We use these for starting campfires, fires in the fireplace at home, coals in the charcoal chimneys, and charcoal in the Cobb grill.

[udwe]

I would not use styrofoam egg cartons. I use cardboard ones.

[zakity]

Does the wax gum up your woodstove or fireplace?