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Homemade Firelighters to start a fire without kindling

How to start a fire without lighter fluid is with these DIY Firestarter or homemade firelighters.   Also the best way on how to start a fire without kindling is to using a diy camping fire starter.

diy camping fire starter, how to start a fire, DIY Firestarters, homemade firelighters
 

Last week the grandsons came to visit us at the Ranch.   We really love seeing them and spending special time with them and doing such things as riding four-wheelers, having them help us feed cattle, playing a few board games, making homemade pizza and chocolate chip cookies and of course, building campfires!
 

 

One of their favorite things to do is start a campfire in our outside cast iron stove or in our fire-pit.  They always want to have at least one night for hot dogs and s’ mores!   I don’t like to use lighter fluid or other flammable liquids to start our campfire, especially with a group of rambunctious boys involved.   So the youngest and I prepared by making some DIY firestarters.  

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What you need for these homemade firelighters:

 

DIY Campfire Starters, how to start a fire
 
Supplies Needed:
  • Saved lint from the dryer
  • A block of wax.   But old candles could be used and are a great way to recycle those candles that have seen better days.   Or even those scented wax melts could be recycled into these firestarters.     
  • Saved  or purchased Cardboard egg cartons, (not the plastic foam ones but cardboard)

 

How to make DIY Firestarters:

Scroll to the bottom for printable instructions
 
DIY Campfire Starters, how to start a fire
 
Pack each little egg cup with plenty of the recycled dryer lint.   My grandson packed ours so there are parts of this DIY Firestarter that are kid-friendly.   Just make sure the children are not close when you begin heating the wax.
  
DIY Campfire Starters
 
Melt the wax using an old coffee can in a pot of water, a faux double boiler method.  We also save the scented wax in this same coffee can and it can easily be remelted.  You could also use a metal candle making pitcher
  
Wax in can

 

Sometimes metal coffee cans are hard to find and I’ve had this one for a while, but a tall metal juice can also work very well.  I had cut an opening to allow easier pouring of the wax and I save this can to reuse for the next batch of these DIY firestarters.

 

wax and dryer link in egg carton

 

Cover your counter with aluminum foil to protect your countertops.   Place the cartons filled with lint and carefully fill each egg compartment with the melted wax, adding more if necessary.  Allow them to cool completely and close the lids for easy storage.

 

Egg carton with firestarters

 

Now we have our own little batch of handy DIY firestarters for all those summer nights of campfire fun!
  

How to Start a Fire without kindling with DIY Campfire Starters:

 
DIY Campfire Starters, how to start a fire, campfire starters, how to start a fire without kindling

 

Tear out one or two of the solid DIY Firestarter egg cups to start to get those campfires burning.
  
DIY Campfire Starters, how to start a fire
 
Light the edges of the extra cardboard around the edges of your diy camping fire starter or use two of these campfire starters.  Then place wood chips, smaller logs on top and as the fire grows add larger pieces of wood.
  
 how to start a fire. diy camping fire starter
 
Now it is time to pull out the s’ more ingredients and enjoy your evening campfire.  And now you know another easy way how to start a fire without lighter fluid with these Campfire starters.
  

Campfire Recipes:

 

Click HERE to save these  homemade firelighters to Pinterest

 

Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

DIY Firestarter

Make a simple DIY Firestarter or homemade firelighters from simple household items.  The best way on how to start a fire without kindling is to use one of these campfire starters.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Keyword: campfire starters, DIY Firestarter, homemade firelighters, how to start a fire without kindling
Servings: 1 carton
Author: Evelyn
Cost: $2

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Pack each little egg compartment of the egg carton with plenty of dryer lint.
  • Cut a small opening in a large metal coffee can to allow easier pouring of the wax. Sometimes metal coffee cans are hard to find but a tall metal juice can also work very well.
  • Melt the wax using the old coffee can or metal juice can in a pot of water, a faux double boiler method.  Or a candle making metal pitcher
  • Cover your workspace with aluminum foil to protect your countertops. Place the egg cartons filled with lint on the foil. Carefully pour the melted wax into each egg compartment adding more if necessary.  
  • Allow them to cool completely and close the lids for easy storage.
  • When you are ready to light a campfire, tear off one or two of the DIY firestarters and Light the edges of the extra cardboard around the edges, Add wood chips, twigs and smaller logs and as the fire grows add larger pieces of wood

 

 

How to start a fire without lighter fluid is with these camping fire starters or homemade firelighters. Also the best way on how to start a fire without kindling is to use one of these easy DIY camp fire starters.

 

Recipe Rating




Michelle

Monday 22nd of June 2020

We don’t have any wax or candles at the moment, what function does the wax serve in this project?

Evelyn

Tuesday 23rd of June 2020

The wax is the fuel that keep burning long enough for the wood to catch on fire.

BeckyMc

Monday 8th of August 2016

If you have a "Scentsy" type wax warmer for scented wax, use the wax from that after it lost its scent. Great way to use what would otherwise be thrown away.

sharon grama

Friday 15th of July 2016

Great idea! I've used the lint before stuffed inside used paper towel and toilet paper rolls and that also works great but will definitely have to give this one a try. Thanks

Jamie Sherman

Wednesday 22nd of June 2016

We love having bonfires in the evening and this is such a great and easy idea!