How to Make Firelighters

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Firelighters are an easy way to get a fire going quickly and smoothly, whether you're using a fireplace, campfire, or fire pit. There are several ways to make firelighters, but each one requires the use of flammable kindling material and melted wax.

Method 1
Method 1 of 5:

Pinecones

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  1. Place a tealight candle in each compartment of a cupcake tin. [1]
    • To make the firelighters easier to remove, line each compartment of the tin with a cupcake wrapper.
    • If the candle has any metal cases or similar pieces, remove those pieces before placing them in the tin. Leave the wick intact, but make sure that each wick stands upright.
    • You could use pieces of broken candle instead of tea lights, if desired. Only fill the cupcake compartment about halfway; do not fill it to the very top.
  2. Place the tin of candles in your oven. Set the oven to bake at a temperature between 300 and 350 degrees Fahrenheit (150 to 180 degrees Celsius). Keep the candles inside until the wax completely melts.
    • The exact temperature doesn't matter, but it should be within a moderate range to help the wax melt slowly, safely, and thoroughly.
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  3. Carefully remove the pan from the oven. Use tweezers to fish out the wicks and move them to one side of the compartment.
    • By moving the wicks, you will make it easier to prevent them from getting lost under the pinecones.
    • If you used pieces of candle that did not have a wick, add a wick to the melted wax now. Use a small piece of rope or small tube of rolled paper.
  4. Slowly press one pinecone into each compartment of melted wax. The wax should rise up around it, but stop pressing down before the wax overflows. [2]
    • The best pinecones are those that are already open, but size does not make much difference. It is also advisable to lightly dust off as much dirt and debris as possible before using them in your firelighters.
  5. Once the wax cools and hardens, you should be able to remove the firelighters from the tin. Peel away the liners from the wax before using.
    • Keep the firelighters in sealed plastic containers until ready to use.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 5:

Corks

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  1. Break apart a few corks and arrange the pieces inside a paper cup. The cup should only be about half full. [3]
    • The cork can be broken, crushed, or cut, but smaller pieces are more ideal than whole corks.
    • Cork is a very dry and absorbent material, which allows them to act as very effective firelighters.
    • If you do not want to use a paper cup, you could also use something like an ice cube tray. Just make sure that the mold is fairly small and durable enough to withstand the heat of the melted wax.
  2. Cut a small strip of rope and place it in the cup, wedging it in between pieces of cork. The rope should be upright. [4]
    • If you don't have rope, you could make a wick by rolling a strip of flammable fabric, cardboard, or paper into a thin tube.
  3. Pour melted wax inside . Slowly pour enough melted wax into the cup to completely cover the cork. Make sure that the wick is partially submerged and partially exposed.
    • Candle wax works notably well.
    • Work carefully when handling melted wax. Liquified wax is very hot and can easily cause burns if brought into contact with the skin.
  4. Set the cup aside and allow the wax to completely cool. Once the wax has hardened, you should be able to peel off the paper cup.
    • Store the firelighters in resealable plastic bags until ready to use.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 5:

Stuffed Toilet Roll Cores

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  1. Press one open end of a cardboard toilet paper tube closed, keeping the edge closed with one or two staples.
    • The cardboard should catch fire and burn well enough, so you do not need to insert a separate wick into this firelighter.
    • If you do not have a toilet paper tube, you could cut a cardboard paper towel core into two or three pieces and use that, instead.
  2. Stuff dryer lint or a similar material into the remaining opening of the tub. Fill most of the tube, leaving only 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) of empty space at the top of the tube. [5]
    • Dryer lint works very well as kindling because it is dry and light. It is not your only option, though. You could use sawdust, wood shavings, shredded paper, or bits of crushed and broken cork, instead.
  3. Slowly pour melted candle wax into the tube, using just enough to cover the contents inside. [6]
    • Note that it may be easier and safer if you prop the tube upright in between two cement blocks or similarly heavy, non-flammable objects as you pour the wax.. You could even use a vice to hold the tube in place. Do not hold the tube with your hands.
  4. Keep the tube standing upright and undisturbed for 30 minutes or so, or until the wax completely cools and sets in place.
    • You should be able to tell when the wax is ready simply by peeking inside the tube. The wax should appear completely solid. If you want to double check, gently squeeze the sides of the cardboard tube. They should feel cool and solid.
  5. Press the remaining open end of the tube together. Keep the end sealed by stapling it in place.
  6. The firelighter should work well enough as it is, but if you want the cardboard to burn for a longer period of time, soak the entire thing in a bit of liquid paraffin for 30 seconds.
    • Remove the firelighter from the paraffin and let it dry.
  7. Keep the cardboard firelighter in an airtight plastic container until you are ready to use it.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 5:

Cotton

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  1. Rub a cotton ball into a bit of petroleum jelly. Use your fingers to work the petroleum jelly into the fibers of the cotton, thoroughly coating the entire piece. [7]
    • You could use a cotton makeup pad instead of a cotton ball, if desired. Either option should work well.
  2. Grab the cotton ball or cotton pad with a pair of tweezers and slowly lower it into a pot of melted candle wax.
    • Work carefully to avoid accidentally burning yourself on the wax.
    • Coat the majority of the cotton, leaving only a small patch uncovered.
    • Place the coated cotton on a sheet of wax paper and let the wax on the cotton cool and harden.
  3. Place the coated cotton in a plastic bag or plastic container. Keep them there until you are ready to use them. [8]
    • Make sure that no moisture can get inside the container as you store it.
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Method 5
Method 5 of 5:

Teabags

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  1. Spread the bags out evenly in the bottom of a shallow baking tray or similar container.
    • This is a great way to recycle teabags already used to brew tea.
    • If you use loose tea leaves instead of teabags, place the leaves into the bottom of a paper cup, ice cube tray compartment, or similar mold.
  2. Carefully pour a small amount of melted candle wax over each tea bag, using just enough wax to cover the bag or the leaves.
    • You could pour liquid paraffin over the teabags instead of using melted candle wax, if desired. Either option should work just as well.
  3. Allow the coated teabags to sit out, undisturbed, until the bags and leaves absorb the melted wax.
    • This means that the wax will also cool and harden. When ready, the teabags will feel stiff and cool to the touch.
  4. Place the teabag firelighters in resealable plastic bags or containers. Store them away from any excess moisture until ready to use.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Is there a way without wax?
    Community Answer
    The most common that don't use wax are a cotton ball and Vaseline or alcohol and paper towel.
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  • Question
    How do you clean the pan of melted wax after you've made your fire-starters?
    Bridget Mauro
    Community Answer
    Pour boiling water into the container, leaving room at the top. (If your candle is made of a soft wax, such as soy wax, you can use hot water that's not boiling.) The boiling water will melt the wax and it will float to the top. Let the water cool and remove the wax.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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      Tips

      • Melt candle wax using a double boiler. Place broken candles in the top pan of your double boiler and simmer 2 inches (5 cm) or so of water in the bottom pan. Slowly melt the wax using the steam from the bottom layer of water.
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      • Always store your firelighters away from moisture in airtight plastic bags or plastic containers.
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      Warnings

      • Always exercise extreme caution when handling melted wax. The wax is very flammable and can also cause severe burns if it gets on your skin.
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      Things You'll Need

      Pinecones

      • Cupcake tin
      • Cupcake liners
      • Candles
      • Oven
      • Tweezers
      • Pinecones
      • Plastic container

      Corks

      • Corks
      • Melted wax
      • Paper cup, ice cube tray, or similar mold
      • Rope or other wick

      Stuffed Toilet Roll Cores

      • Cardboard tube
      • Stapler
      • Staples
      • Melted wax
      • Cement blocks
      • Paraffin (optional)
      • Airtight container

      Cotton

      • Cotton ball or cotton makeup pad
      • Petroleum jelly or melted wax
      • Tweezers
      • Plastic container or bag

      Teabags

      • Teabags
      • Baking tray
      • Melted wax
      • Resealable plastic bags

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      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about fire management, check out our in-depth interview with Britt Edelen .

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.idealhome.co.uk/video/simple-solutions-pine-cone-fire-lighters-122703
      2. ↑ https://www.idealhome.co.uk/video/simple-solutions-pine-cone-fire-lighters-122703
      3. ↑ https://www.caravansa.co.za/light-my-fire-make-your-own-firelighters/
      4. ↑ https://www.caravansa.co.za/light-my-fire-make-your-own-firelighters/
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsLiR_NzVOA
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptA1X8xj8xc
      7. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/diy-fire-starter/
      8. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/diy-fire-starter/

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        Jun 17, 2017

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