Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
If you like to go camping, you know there are few things more frustrating than trying to get a fire going with damp tinder and cold hands. A good firestarter is can be the difference between comfort and misery. And while you could buy firestarters such as WetFire tinder, you'll end up spending a couple dollars every time you start a fire.
That’s why I love this homemade firestarter. It's simple, effective, and made of wax and cotton pads so each one only costs pennies to make. Even better, you can drop it in a water, pull it out soaking wet, crack it open, hit it with a ferro rod, and still get a flame going in seconds. It burns long and hot, giving you plenty of time to get your fire started.
It’s also one of the easiest DIY projects you can make. No special tools or tricky steps. Just melt, dip, dry, and you’re done. You can make a whole batch in under an hour and you’ll have plenty of firestarters for your bug out bag, camping bin, glove compartment, etc.
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This step-by-step guide is from a video by GMC Crafts. You can watch it and read the instructions below.
What You’ll Need:
- Wax (any cheap candle or paraffin wax will do)
- Cotton makeup pads
- Parchment paper
- A cheap or old pan (you’ll probably ruin it, so don’t use your best cookware)
- Metal tongs or spatula
- Fire extinguisher or water-soaked towel
Instructions
Step 1: Chop Up the Wax
Cut your wax into small chunks or shavings. The smaller the pieces, the faster they’ll melt. Fill a container or bowl with wax pieces to make enough firestarters in one go.
Step 2: Prepare the Drying Area
Lay out a sheet of parchment paper. This is where you’ll place your dipped pads to dry. Space them out to avoid sticking.
Step 3: Heat the Wax Safely
Place your pan on low heat. Gradually melt the wax. Do not overheat or walk away from it. Wax is flammable, so keep a soaked towel or fire extinguisher nearby just in case.
Once the wax becomes a smooth liquid, reduce the heat to the lowest setting to maintain it.
Step 4: Dip the Cotton Pads
Using tongs or a spatula, drop the cotton pads into the wax one at a time. Let them fully saturate, then remove and let the excess wax drip off.
Place them on the parchment paper to cool. Repeat until you’ve made as many as you want.
Step 5: Cool and Store
Once cooled, the pads will harden into solid “biscuits.”
Store them in an airtight container, small tin, or ziplock bag. They won’t stick together and they’ll stay usable for years.
How to Use these Firestarters
1. Break It Open. Tear or bend the pad to expose the fiber inside.
2. Ignite with a Ferro Rod or Lighter. The exposed fibers will catch a spark easily, even from a ferro rod.
3. Build Your Fire. Each pad gives you several minutes of strong, steady burn time. Plenty of time to add kindling and build a fire.
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