How to Make Firestarter Pellets For Free!
by
ChickFix
4 Materials
15 Minutes
Easy
Dryer lint is extremely flammable...why not use that to your advantage? The lint itself burns very quickly, but other ingredients can be added to make it burn slower and effectively start a campfire. Here are three recipes using items you probably already have around your house! (I performed an experiment when we went camping to see which method burns the longest, so be sure to scroll to the bottom or watch the video for the results.)
{
"id": "4637751",
"alt": "",
"title": "",
"video_library_id": "7096",
"thumbnail": "https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/2018/02/02/4637751/how-to-make-firestarter-pellets-for-free.jpg"
}
{
"width": 634,
"height": 357,
"showRelated": true,
"noautoplay": ""
}
Step one: Collect your dryer lint.
RECIPE #1 - Wax
I used paraffin because I already had it in my pantry, but you could also use leftover candle wax, used wickless scented candle wax, or even beeswax.
Melt the wax. I like the double-boiler method, but use whatever method works best for you.
Put a small amount of the dryer lint into a toilet paper roll. (You could also use a paper towel roll or cardboard egg cartons.)
Add a little melted wax.
Repeat this several times until the toilet paper roll is filled.
Wrap the toilet paper roll with a piece of paper, and tuck in the ends.
RECIPE #2 - Oil
I used the canola oil that was leftover from frying some mozzarella sticks the night before, but you could use fresh oil if you want. Add some lint to a jar, and add a little oil.
Stir the mixture, then add a little more lint and oil, and stir again. Repeat this until you have made the desired amount.
RECIPE #3 - Petroleum Jelly
Mix a small amount of the lint with a dab of the petroleum jelly. Work the two together using your fingers.
EXPERIMENT RESULTS
The wax pellets burned the longest and were the cleanest to use at the campsite, but they were the most time consuming to make.
The cooking oil combination was very easy to make and burned almost as long as the wax, but was a little messier to use at the campsite (i.e. my hands got oily).
The petroleum jelly mixture did not burn very long and was the messiest to make, and was equally messy to use at the campsite.
Comments
Join the conversation
2 of 3 comments
-
Very smart idea thank you
-
Sorry I couldn’t watch your video. Fire starter doesnt need to be difficult. We use the cardboard egg cartons. Fill each egg hole with dryer lint and shut the lid. Easy as that. Worked for years of our camping. Never let us down. Campers for 25 years and still going.
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?