DIY fire starters.
Find these things in your house to make the best little firestarters!
Easy DIY Firestarters
It can be a pain to try and start a fire with wet tinder, especially when you’re counting on your campfire for warmth or to cook your next meal in the backcountry. This easy little firestarter uses things found in your home and works like a charm!
What you will need:
Egg cartons (NOT styrofoam ones)
Dryer lint (best to save up from a few loads)
An old candle, or old crayons (or simply wax if you have that lying around)
Scissors
Heat Source / Pot / Water
Directions:
First, cut the top of the egg carton off (don’t throw it away though, they are great to burn!)
Next, take the dryer lint you’ve collected (used dryer sheets and wood shavings work wonders too if you need a bit more filler) and stuff them into the egg carton.
Next - cut up the wax into small pieces. I am using a candle, but any wax you have around will work - old crayon pieces, old candles, etc.
HOT TIP: if you pour boiling water into old glass candles, the remaining wax at the bottom will rise to the surface and harden as the water cools, allowing you to simply pop out the unused wax and reuse it!
Place the cut-up wax into a jar, or old can inside of a pot of boiling water. Stir constantly, until the wax is melted completely. Be careful, wax is highly flammable (obv).
Once the wax is melted, simply pour it over each little ‘cup’ of the egg carton, ensuring that you saturate each part completely. Let it dry for 20 minutes or so (or pop them in the freezer for rapid dry action) and then cut apart each little cup.
These are the perfect little firestarters that you can easily pop into your pack when hitting the trail!
Remember: It’s SO important to comply with provincial and regional fire bans. With climate change, the risks for forest fires are increasing and even contained fires can cause catastrophic damages when our forests are dry. Please remember to check fire bans - in NB, you can call 1-866-458-8080.
