How to Make Amazing Fire Starters

How to Make Amazing Fire Starters
Many commercial manufacturers produce ready-to-use fire starters, but you can make one yourself with a few basic items. Ingredients for an effective fire starter include a combustible material such as dryer lint to light and burn long enough to ignite a secondary fuel such as a cardboard.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:
  • Cardboard egg carton Wax Double boiler Dryer lint Scissors Water Stove
  • Cardboard egg carton
  • Wax
  • Double boiler
  • Dryer lint
  • Scissors
  • Water
  • Stove
Step 1
Place a cardboard egg carton on a work surface that is level, sturdy and suitable for crafts and other hobby activities.
Step 2
Tear dryer lint into small pieces and loosely roll it into balls. The balls will fit into the cups of the egg carton.
Step 3
Place a double boiler on a stove burner that is set to low heat. Fill the bottom of the boiler one-third full of water. Allow the boiler to heat.
Step 4
Place small pieces of wax into the upper section of the boiler, which is suspended over the hot water. The heat from the rising steam will cause the wax to slowly melt without overheating and possibly causing a fire.
Step 5
Turn off the burner off and remove the melted wax. Pour the wax over the cups until a thin layer covers the lint.
Step 6
Allow the wax to completely cool, then cut the cup sections apart and store them in a plastic box or bag.

Tips & Warnings

 
If a double boiler is not available, construct one by placing a small pan over a larger pan. Make sure the pan or container used for melting the wax is older and you do not mind possibly committing it to permanent craft use.
 
Use extreme caution when melting wax. Hot wax can cause serious burns and is also combustible if spilled on a burner. Wear eye protection, gloves and an apron when melting wax.

Article Written By Tara Dooley

Tara Dooley has written for various websites since 2008. She has worked as an accountant, after-school director and retail manager in various locations. Dooley holds a Bachelor of Science in business management and finance.

Write for Trails.com
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