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Project Information

I posted a blog entry on making these and naturally someone asked for pics. I decided to post this as a project with instructions and pics. Hope this is useful to someone!

SUPPLIES LIST:
  • Wax (old candles work great)
  • Sawdust
  • Something to melt wax in (double-boiler method is best and safest)
  • Something to mold them in (paper cups, paper egg carton, cupcake cups)
  • Craft paper and string if you want to wrap them.

1) Here are the materials I used. Since my wife makes candles we've got plenty of wax around the house - I'm using a few melting tarts, an old jar candle and some various scraps. I also have a melting/pouring pot and some votive cup molds.


2) Next, it's time to melt the wax. NOTE: Wax is flammable (duh…) so it's best to use a double-boiler if possible. Otherwise use low heat and keep a close watch on the wax until it's melted.


3) After the wax is fully melted it's time to add the sawdust, mix enough in to make a heavy sludge. It should be pretty thick when mixed together.


NOTE: Pouring these can be very messy, it's probably best to let the mixture cool down some and thicken. Then, when pouring, you can use a spoon or stick to make the process a little neater. I prefer to have a lot of sawdust and enough wax to bind everything together.

4) Now it's time to mold the starters, simply pour or scoop them into whatever you're molding into.


5) After a couple of hours these will set up, if you've used a metal mold you can pop them out now - if they stick a little you can put them in the fridge for a few minutes and they should come right out.


6) Now you can finish these if you want to. I like wrapping them in brown paper and tying the ends. You can stack these by the fire and they look nice.


7) When you're ready to get a fire going just drop one of these below the wood pile. Light both ends and the center and it should burn for 15 minutes or more - plenty of time to get the fire going!


Gallery

Comments

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Thanks for the how to! I wanted to make some of these for my fire pit after I read your first post.
 

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Tim -

Great idea!
 

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Thanks for the pics, Tom will be happy now….ha. They look great.
 

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..and I guess that there would be some saw dust you would not want to use, like maybe treated lumber dust for example? Any others?
 

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Great idea!I am going to make some,so when I go hiking overnight or camping I will have something to start camp fire with.
 

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how wonderful of you to do this and get pictures!!
 

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Excellent, excellent, excellent. These will be great by the fireplace and to boot, you can make little gifts of them for people you know. Thanks for sharing.
 

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Rob, I can bet there are several types of wood that would not be well suited for this. If anyone has some info as what we'd want to stay away from I'd appreciate it!
 

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Nice!
 

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Nice job.
 

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Wow, blast from the past. My sisters and I used to make these and sell them door to door when we were little (back in the Stone Age). We would plane down cedar planks that my Dad got for us and mix the shavings with old melted candles. We used muffin tins for molds, and included the wick. I still remember trying to say "Wanna buy some Cedar Scented Fire Starters" while shivering during a Minnesota winter. Thanks for the memories. I've got to call Sis tonight.

Steve
 

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Great Idea. I got to make some for my wood burner in my shop. That and a blowtorch and would really do the trick in a short time. mike
 

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Would these work on a grill? I'm curious about the wax. Would it just end up all over the bottom of my grill or does it burn up?
 

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Keen-

When these first start to burn they do make a 'melt pool', however if the mix includes a lot of sawdust with enough wax to bind them then the pool will be fully consumed during burning - about 15-20 minutes in my experience.
 

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probably would not be good to use any dust from MDf, Particle Board, or certain exotic woods that have natural oils that are toxic when inhailed. but nice idea i have never heard of that im gonna have to try that for when i go camping
 

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I knew you could make these with dryer lint and paper egg cartons. I'm impressed to learn that these sawdust ones will burn for 15 minutes.

Oh I have a shopvac full of christmas presents in waiting!
 

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Just came across this… Love it!

I've made these in the little paper cups you put cupcakes in as well… instant mold and instant place to light to get 'em going.

Nice!
 

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This is a great way to get rid of some of our waste.
 

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WOW! just what I was searching for. I make wood ASH & Maple Baseball bats, business is growing, not sure what to do with so much waste. I didn't want to throw it away and I couldn't find anyone to barter with me. So I am gonna start making firestarters. Heading over to A.C. Moore for wax molds, great addition to earn extra dollars from waste material. 100% kiln dried and very clean.

Joe
www.lumberkings.biz
 

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Thanks for the info
 
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