Firelighters help to get a fire started very quickly. They can be used for barbecues, fireplaces and wood burning stoves/ovens.
They are made from a blend of wax and sawdust or wood shavings. They are easy to light and do not emit any toxic smoke or odour.
The market for firelighters is growing rapidly due to the increasing demand for alternative heating sources and rising consumer awareness of environmental benefits.
Beeswax
Beeswax is a natural, renewable resource that comes directly from honey bees’ abdomens and is a key ingredient in many of our favorite health & beauty and home care products. It is malleable and flammable, making it suitable for molding into objects, melting and mixing into solutions, and waterproofing surfaces. As a lubricant, it is also used in hinges and door latches.
It’s easy to make fire lighters from beeswax, and it’s a fun activity for kids that allows them to practice using tools safely. Unlike commercial fire starters, which can be made from fossil fuels such as kerosene or paraffin wax (a byproduct of the petroleum industry), beeswax makes a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative.
To make beeswax fire lighters, start by gathering tinder such as dry leaves, paper scraps or wood shavings, and placing them in an egg carton (or other small container). Next, melt enough beeswax to cover the tinder in the bottom of the container. Once the tinder is covered, place an individual egg shell in each slot and drizzle with more beeswax. This makes a simple but sturdy fire starter that can easily be stored until needed.
Using a high-quality beeswax is important, as beeswax that contains pesticides or other chemicals will not ignite easily. Look for organic, pure beeswax online or at local health food stores. You can also use old candle wicks or stubs to make these fire lighters, which helps reduce waste and reuses materials that would otherwise be thrown away.
Beeswax is an essential component in many of the products we use, from candles and furniture polish to lip balm and hand cream. It is naturally scented and clean burning, with a beautiful golden color that varies depending on the flowers, resins and pollens that honey bees collect as they work.
In addition to being a great DIY project for kids, beeswax fire lighters are a wonderful alternative to store-bought alternatives that use flammable petroleum-based ingredients such as kerosene and paraffin wax. While these commercial fire lighters can be purchased at most grocery and hardware stores, it is much cheaper to make your own and better for the environment.
Pinecones
Pinecones burn well when dry and make great kindling. They are also easy to light, catching fire quickly and burning hot. If you add a wick and dip them in beeswax, you create a fire starter that is even easier to start and produces less soot than petroleum-based fire lighters. You can also use pine cones to scent your fire starters by adding your favorite essential oils. These pine cone fire starters are a quick and easy project that can be done by kids (with adult supervision). Make up a basket full to keep for yourself or give as gifts.
A pinecone is a seed-bearing organ on plants in the order Gymnosperms, which include conifers and many other woody trees. It is usually ovoid to globular and contains bracts arranged in scales or other structures around a central axis. The seeds inside the pinecone are released when the scales flex back and release them, or, in the case of firs, cedars, and golden larch, the whole cone breaks apart with the seed scales dropping out.
When the pinecone is dry it becomes open and releases its seeds, which drift away to find new soil in which to grow into new trees. It takes 6-8 months for pine cones to mature after pollination, but the seed scales may drop before that time if conditions are right.
Pine cones can be used to make fire lighters by soaking them in common household solutions and coating them with clear candle wax. They are simple to make and can be scented with your choice of essential oil for a pleasant smell. They can be used to start a campfire, fireplace, or garden chimena. They are nontoxic and emit a pleasant fragrance when burned.
To make these pine cones fire lighters, first prepare the pine cones by shaking off any debris and drying them out in the sun or an oven set at 250 degrees Fahrenheit for 24 hours. Next, fill a large glass measuring cup with about 1 inch of water to make a melting pot. Add in a pound of candle wax (use paraffin, beeswax, old candles scraps, or soy wax) and melt over medium low heat. Once melted, stir to mix and then dip each pine cone in the wax. You want to be sure that the wax is fully absorbed, but not so much that it drips off.
Candle Wax
Candle waxes are often used to make fire lighters. There are several different types of candle waxes, and each one has its own properties. The most common type of candle wax is paraffin, which is made from petroleum. This type of wax is odorless and bluish in color. It was first created in 1830, and it revolutionized candle-making because it burned cleaner than tallow candles, which were made from animal fat.
Another type of candle wax is soy, which is made from soybeans, a natural and renewable resource. Soy wax burns slowly, so it can create a long-lasting flame. It also has a pleasant scent and does not emit soot when burned. It is a great option for making homemade candles.
When choosing a candle wax, it is important to consider the sustainability, burn performance, scent throw and allergenicity of the wax. Beeswax has the longest burn time and produces a warm-toned flame, while soy wax is more environmentally friendly but has a shorter burn time. Palm wax has a moderate scent throw and is hypoallergenic.
The best way to use old, unused candle wax to make fire lighters is to melt it in a double boiler and dip strands of rope or strips of paper into the liquid. The resulting teabag firelighters are very effective, and you can store them in a resealable plastic container until needed.
Other natural materials can also be used as firelighters. Dryer lint, for instance, is very dry and burns well. You can also use sawdust, wood shavings, shredded paper or bits of broken cork.
For a more decorative firelighter, you can also try using pieces of broken or cut wine bottles. The cork is very absorbent, and it can help start your fire quickly. You can also try dipping a piece of jute string or burlap into the melted wax to create your own wick.
Paper
Whether you’re camping outdoors or just sitting by the fireplace at home, firelighters are an easy and efficient way to light a fire. They’re designed to ignite and quickly spread flames in order to help you get the fire started, and they can be purchased at a number of different stores. However, it is possible to make your own fire lighters from items that you already have around the house. To make a paper fire lighter, take a sheet of newspaper and fold it diagonally over itself to the opposite corner. Continue to fold alternately left and right until you have a strip of paper that is fairly narrow. Tuck the loose ends into each other and give it a light twist. Then, position it in your fire lighting grate and light it using a match or lighter. The flames should spread through the concertina and help ignite your kindling and tinder.
Shredded paper makes a great fire starter as it’s quick to burn and can be used to light a variety of fuel sources. However, it’s important to note that burning paper is not an ecological or sustainable waste management solution and can cause air pollution if it’s done indoors in an enclosed space.
Another good alternative to shredded paper is cardboard egg cartons. If you have a lot of leftover egg cartons from cracking open a few dozen eggs, you can use them to make homemade fire lighters. To do so, fill each hole in the empty egg carton with dryer lint and then pour melted wax into each container until it’s about 2/3-3/4 full. Let the wax and lint harden before using.
Another useful DIY firelighter project involves old candles or wax tarts. Simply melt the wax in a double boiler, dip cotton balls into it and then leave it on a piece of wax paper to dry. Once dried, these can be stuffed into toilet paper or paper towel rolls and then capped off to store for when you need them. They are perfect for those moments when you’re setting up the campfire or just lighting the fireplace and realise you have no firelighters.
