DIY Firestarters from Recycled Materials
Here’s what you need:
- Paper Egg Carton
- Dryer Lint
- Ends of old candles or crayon “stubs”
Directions:
- Remove the lid from the base of your egg carton. Tear the lid into strips/pieces. Place the egg carton base onto a cookie sheet.
- In each “egg” compartment, place some of your lid pieces, fill with dryer lint, and top off with wax pieces/crayon stubs. Now, don’t be stingy with the wax…you want enough so that it will melt through all of the lint.
- Place your cookie sheet/egg carton in a 200 Degree F oven until all of the wax has melted. Wax is VERY flammable so do not make your oven any hotter and keep an eye on your goodies.
When, melted remove from the oven and allow to cool. This won’t take very long….think about how long it takes a candle to re-harden after being burned.
Now look at the picture below. See how some of my egg carton is a darker grey in some areas? This is where I actually used the most wax…the areas where it is lighter I should have used a bit more wax to create a more solid fire starter.
How to use.
A one-dozen egg carton makes a dozen fire starters. So, break off two of your new fire starters and nestle them into your coals…you want them to be mostly covered.
Using a match, light your fire starters.
And look! We have hot coals ready to grill up some yummy goodness! So 1 egg carton, some dryer lint, and some candle stubs/crayon stubs will make enough starters for 6 grilling session…and it only takes a bit of time!
Notes:
- You can also melt your wax on the stove like you would when you make candles but I feel that is much more dangerous than just popping everything into the oven.
- I’ve also wondered if you could set everything up and place in the sun on a very hot summer day and allow “Mother Nature” to melt the wax….but I’ve never tried this.
Ritchil Shafer
We’re thinking of buying a grill right now so I’ll keep this in mind. Thank you for sharing!
I’m a new follower from Domesblissity. Thank you so much for choosing my posts to be featured today!
Ritchil
http://chengand3kids.blogspot.com/
JoAnn @ SweetPepperRose
Cool! great way to get rid of lint.
JoAnn
Level 1 Homemaker
Great idea!
2Momma2
Hi Marilyn,
Thanks for your great comments on my posts – I love that I gave my pancakes “a superhero cape.” You’re too funny!
I love this idea. Of course, I will have to have Hubby make them, because I have an irrational fear of dryer lint… Great idea, nonetheless!
Kristin
http://www.exploringdomesticity.blogspot.com
suzanne kay
WoW! What a neat idea!! I may have to borrow this one!! Thanks for sharen with us at One Sharendipity Place this weekend!
Sue @ thet2women.com
Nellie Duclos
I was a GS back in time and we made these out of sawdust and old candles, but I like the use of the dyer lint.
Anne M
Fantastic idea using the lint Marilyn. How clever!
Anne xx