How to Make a Firestarter: A Quick and Easy Guide

Ah, the great outdoors! Whether you’re a camping pro or a novice looking to get away for the weekend, one skill essential for a great outdoor experience is starting a fire. A campfire is a source of warmth and the heart of social gatherings, cooking, and creating beautiful memories. But what do you do if you’re struggling to get that fire going? The answer: DIY Firestarters! Enjoy this quick and easy step-by-step guide to show you how to make your own firestarters at home using just a few simple materials.

What You’ll Need:

1. Dryer Lint: Yes, that fluffy stuff you clean out of your dryer’s lint trap is perfect for fire starting!
2. Candle: A plain wax candle will work just fine, as we’ll use it to melt wax onto the lint.
3. Cardboard Egg Carton: Make sure it’s a cardboard carton, not Styrofoam or plastic, as we want it to be flammable.

Steps:

A. Gather Dryer Lint

Collect a good amount of dryer lint. It’s best to save it up after each laundry cycle to have a decent pile. It makes an excellent base for your firestarter because it’s highly flammable.

B. Prepare the Egg Carton

Take your empty cardboard egg carton and stuff each compartment with the dryer lint you’ve collected. You don’t need to pack it too tightly; just enough to fill each spot should do.

C. Melt Wax onto Lint

Light your candle and carefully drip the melted wax onto the lint inside each egg carton compartment. Caution: Be extremely careful during this step to avoid igniting the lint or the carton. Make sure the lint is well saturated with the melted wax, as this helps to make your firestarter waterproof and longer-burning.

D. Let it Dry

Once all compartments are filled and the wax has been poured, set the carton aside to dry completely. This usually takes a few hours, but letting it sit overnight is a good rule of thumb to make sure it’s thoroughly dry.

E. Use Your Firestarter

When you’re ready to light up your campfire, break off one of the egg carton compartments. Place it under your pile of wood or charcoal, and light it up. Thanks to the wax, these homemade firestarters are waterproof, making them especially useful when dealing with wet conditions or rain.

Bonus Tips:

• You can also add other flammable materials like small wood shavings or dried leaves to the lint for an extra kick.
• Store these firestarters in a cool, dry place until you’re ready to use them. They make for great emergency firestarters to keep in your car or RV.

And there you have it, a simple yet effective way to make firestarters right at home. So, the next time you’re planning an RV trip or a camping adventure, take some time to prepare these handy tools. They can make the difference between fumbling with your fire and enjoying a cozy, inviting blaze.

Safe travels and happy camping from all of us at Nashville RV!