Easy DIY Firestarters: Tea Light Candle, Sawdust, and Egg Carton

If you’re looking for a simple and effective way to make firestarters for your next camping trip or backyard bonfire, look no further than this easy DIY method using tea light candles, sawdust, and egg cartons. These homemade firestarters are inexpensive to make and work like a charm to get your fire going quickly and efficiently. Here’s how to make them step-by-step:

Materials Needed:

• Tea light candles. I use 24 tea lights for one egg carton
• Sawdust (preferably dry)
• Cardboard egg cartons (paper or cardboard type)

Instructions:

1. Gather Your Materials:

• Collect tea light candles, sawdust (you can use sawdust from woodworking projects or purchase it), and cardboard egg cartons.

2. Prepare the Egg Cartons:

• Cut the lid off of the cartons. I also cut off the flap the lid closes on. Each compartment will hold one firestarter.

3. Melt the Tea Light Candles:

• Remove the metal casing and wick from the tea light candles.
• Place the tea light candles in a heat-safe container on the stove, I use an old cast iron skillet lined with aluminum foil.
• Melt the candles over low heat until they turn into liquid wax.

4. Mix in the Sawdust:

• Fill each egg slot in the carton with sawdust.

5. Fill the Egg Cartons:

• Carefully pour the wax over the sawdust in each compartment of the egg cartons. Fill each compartment a little at a time, until all the compartments have been filled and the wax has soaked in.

6. Let Them Set:

• Allow the wax and sawdust mixture to cool and harden completely in the egg cartons. This may take a couple of hours.

7. Use Your Firestarters:

• Once the firestarters are fully set and hardened, simply tear off one compartment from the egg carton when you’re ready to start a fire.
• Place the firestarter in your fire pit, fireplace, or camping stove.
• Light the edge of the firestarter with a match or lighter. The wax will melt, and the sawdust will catch fire easily, providing a steady flame to ignite your kindling and larger firewood.

Benefits of Homemade Firestarters:

• Cost-effective and environmentally friendly using recycled materials.
• Convenient and easy to store in a dry container or bag.
• Reliable ignition for campfires, fireplaces, wood stoves, and more.

With these DIY firestarters, you’ll be able to enjoy hassle-free fires without the need for newspaper or chemical-laden commercial fire starters. Experiment with different amounts of sawdust and wax to find the perfect blend that works best for your fire-starting needs. Happy crafting and happy fires!