Easy Homemade Fire Starters

We love camping. But getting a fire started wasn't always easy. We wanted soming that small and easy to carry. We also didn't want any chemicals. So I looked on the internet for some ideas then adapted them to suit our needs.

You only need a few items that most people throw away.
1) Dryer Lint
2) Empty Toilet Paper or Paper Towel rolls or cardboard egg cartons. I prefer the egg cartons they are easier to separate.
3) Used Coffee Grounds (Dried) After our morning coffee I spread the grounds on a plate and allow them to dry for a couple of days.
4) Wax (I like to use old candles if I have them.)

Loosely stuff a small amount of lint in one end of the roll. Turn it over and add a small amount of coffee grounds. Then some lint. Repeat until the roll is full. You want the full but not packed tight. This may take some practice to find the right combo. If you pack it to tight it is a lot harder to get the wax all the way through. It will still burn just not as well. For the egg carton just layer the lint then grounds lint grounds until the hole is full.

Melt the wax. I prefer to use left over bits of candles. But if I don't have any I use canning wax.

Stand the roll on its end and slowly add wax. Then I allow it to cool. Then I turn the roll over and finish filling the roll with wax. You know you've added enough when you can't squeeze the roll when cooled.

When your ready to start a fire cut a piece off the roll or tear off one of the egg holders. It doesn't take much. Peel a piece of the roll up to use as a wick. Add to your wood pile and light.