How to Make Fire Starters
Homemade fire starters gather dry tinder, soy wax and a cotton wick inside individual paper cups. Pinecones, dried citrus and flowers give the tops a rustic appearance, leaving plenty of dry material exposed for a flame to catch beneath kindling.
Equipment
- Metal Melting Pitcher or Heat-Safe Measuring Cup
- Saucepan Small
Ingredients
- 16 Ounces soy wax flakes
- 12 paper baking cups
- 12 candle wicks
- dried botanicals dried flowers, pinecones, acorns, dried oranges, dried apples etc
- untreated wood shavings twigs or excelsior
- clear treat bags for packaging
- hang tag design - see PDF
- ribbon or twine
Instructions
- Line each cavity of a muffin tin with a paper baking cup.
- Place one candle wick in the center of each cup.
- Add wood shavings or twigs to the bottom of the cups.
- Arrange a mix of the bulkier pieces, like pinecones, acorns, larger leaves and dried fruit.
- Add the wax flakes to a heat safe glass measuring cup or metal melting pitcher. Set the cup inside a small saucepan with a few inches of water to create a double boiler.
- Warm the wax over low heat until fully melted, stirring gently as it melts.
- Pour the melted wax into each cup, focusing on the center and letting it flow around the fillings.
- Adjust the wick while the wax is still warm.
- Finish by adding the smaller dried botanicals.
- Let cool in the muffin tin until the wax is firm and the cups feel dry to the touch.
- Remove the fire starters from the muffin tin. Trim the wicks if needed, then package them in a craft box or cellophane bag with the hang tag. Makes 12 fire starters.
Pour less wax than you think you need at first. Add more only if the filling looks too loose.
Keep the tops textured instead of fully coated. Fire starters work best when the flame has dry material to catch quickly.
It's important to let them cool completely before stacking or packaging so they don’t stick together.
Notes
Keep everything dry: Fresh or damp plant materials aren’t suitable for these fire starters.
Begin with a small pour: Extra wax can be added before it firms if the contents still feel loose.
Don’t bury the tinder: Leave parts of the dry botanicals exposed so the flame has material to catch.
Keep the pieces contained: Large fruit slices or pinecones can break away if they extend too far beyond the paper liner.
Don't omit the tags: Package them with a clear label that says they’re for starting fires only and shouldn’t be burned like candles.
Take care with hot wax: Use low heat and never leave melting wax unattended. Keep it away from open flames.
Remove all packaging: Take off the treat bag, tag and twine before placing the starter beneath kindling.
Use one at a time: These are made for suitable wood-burning fireplaces, fire pits or campfires with adult supervision.
Begin with a small pour: Extra wax can be added before it firms if the contents still feel loose.
Don’t bury the tinder: Leave parts of the dry botanicals exposed so the flame has material to catch.
Keep the pieces contained: Large fruit slices or pinecones can break away if they extend too far beyond the paper liner.
Don't omit the tags: Package them with a clear label that says they’re for starting fires only and shouldn’t be burned like candles.
Take care with hot wax: Use low heat and never leave melting wax unattended. Keep it away from open flames.
Remove all packaging: Take off the treat bag, tag and twine before placing the starter beneath kindling.
Use one at a time: These are made for suitable wood-burning fireplaces, fire pits or campfires with adult supervision.
Important Safety Notes
- Use caution when working with hot wax. Keep the heat low and never leave melting wax unattended.
- Keep wax away from open flames while melting.
- Use these only in appropriate fire safe spaces with adult supervision.
- Don’t add fragrance oil or essential oils unless you know they’re safe for fire starter use. Many oils are flammable and can flare.
- Keep finished fire starters away from children and pets.
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