Family | A Tale of Soap and Wax

Jun 30

How to: Recycled Wax Firestarters

Posted by David Powell

Planning some camping trips this summer? Have an outdoor fire pit in your yard?

If you have some scrap wax from old candles, and some mini or full size muffin papers, wax paper cups, or old egg cartons, you can make your own fire starters to get your fires going strong.

We’ve been making these for years now and they work great! Even with damp wood you’ll soon have a fire you’ll be proud of and enjoy.

What you’ll need:

• Old wax (this can be old candles or even crayons.)

• Sawdust or wood chips (pine cones or small broken up sticks can work too)

• Something to hold the wax, wood chip mix (Muffin Tin and papers, small wax paper cups, egg cartons)

• Double boiler (a metal coffee can and a pot of water will work)

1) Gather your materials, start boiling your water, and place some wax in your coffee can, pyrex pitcher, etc.

2) Place some wood dust, small scrap wood, pinecones, or your choice of small flammable into your muffin cups or whatever you are using to make these.

3) Pour or scoop your wax into the muffin cups, egg carton, dixie cup, etc.

4) allow these too cool until hard and you now have recycled wax firestarters .

Making these may be a bit messy, so protect the floor and surrounding work surfaces.

These burn very hot with a large flame for 10 to 15 minutes. One is usually enough to light wet wood or hardwood without kindling.

We also have these available in our Etsy shop as well as our Artfire studio.

Cautions

These are not candles – do not attempt to use them as candles.
Do not use these in any areas unsuitable for a fire – they will burn uncontrollably.
Flame size may vary, but flame heights of 15 inches are not uncommon.
Fire starter containing sawdust should not be used indoors because it may cause creosote buildup in your flue.