If you’re planning to head out and enjoy all that Mother Nature has to offer, be sure to make a homemade fire starter (or 10!) to take with you so you always have a fire at your fingertips when you need it.

There are things I love about camping…and things I don’t love about it.

I love being out in nature, hearing the wind blow through the trees, seeing wildlife, hiking, fishing, and smelling the fresh air. Most of all, I love looking at the stars at night.

The things I hate, well it comes down to 2 things: the bugs (because I’m a walking buffet for them), and not having a Fire (because I suck at using flint).

So I’ve come up with a couple of solutions for these “problems”. The bugs are easily taken care of with my homemade mosquito repellent (that’s made with essential oils and ACTUALLY works!).

The fire? I thought that was a harder problem, but it turns out I was wrong. All I had to do was learn how to make EASY PEASY Homemade Fire starters!

Forget about having paper on hand or keeping dry and getting the tinder just right so a fire will light.

Using this easy campfire starter is SO MUCH BETTER! Plus, as a bonus, you can use them for all your fire starting needs. Have a wood-burning fireplace? Use them there too!

Love camping? Don’t forget to take along some Nutella S’mores!

Homemade Fire Starter Supplies Needed

You only need a few simple materials to make homemade fire starters. Here’s what you’ll need to collect.

• Empty cardboard egg carton
• Dryer lint
• cold-pressed coconut oil
• Scissors

How To Make An Easy Homemade Fire Starter

All you need is 10 minutes of time to make these – they’re seriously the BEST homemade fire starters!

Step 1

Open the egg carton, and cut the top portion off. Then set it aside. Next, cut off the small flap used to close the egg carton, and cut the flap into small pieces.

Step 2

Place the small pieces into each of the egg holes. Cut the peaks off that separate each of the egg holes, and place those into the egg holes as well.

Step 3

Tear the dryer lint into small pieces, and tuck down into each egg hole, leaving only a little room at the top.

Step 4

In a glass bowl or measuring cup, heat the coconut oil in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. Stir well, and continue heating until the oil has just melted.

Step 5

Pour the oil over each of the lint-filled egg holes, until the lint is lightly saturated. You don’t want to overly soak the carton, so only pour a small amount into each hole. I used a little under a ½ c of melted coconut oil, and it was the perfect amount to fill 12 holes.

Step 6

Set the filled bottom carton portion inside the top of the egg carton, and place in the refrigerator for 5 minutes, or until the coconut oil solidifies again.

Step 7

Once set, remove from the refrigerator, and cut each egg hole apart to make 12 separate fire starters.

Homemade Fire Starter: Recipe Notes

• Store any unused fire starters in a gallon size bag or container with a lid, and store them in a cool dry place. I like to keep mine in the cabinet in my laundry room until ready for use.
• If you don’t have any coconut oil on hand, you could substitute vegetable shortening used for baking.

How To Use Easy Campfire Starters

When you’re ready to use them, light one homemade fire starter with a match or lighter. Each one will burn for 10-12 minutes, giving you time to build your fire around it.

FAQs

While the process is simple, it may seem confusing at first. Here are some common questions and their answers for quick reference.

Is it safe to use dryer lint as fire starter?

Yes! Dryer lint is simply a collection of cotton and other fibers that come off in your laundry. You don’t need to worry about toxic chemicals.

How do you make a homemade fire starter?

The process is super simple! There’s no sewing, cooking, or lengthy time process involved!

What household items can you use to start a fire?

Petroleum jelly is another great alternative to using coconut oil if you have that on hand. Newspaper (or any paper) works well too!

Are pine cones good fire starters?

If you use your last homemade fire starter and find yourself in a pinch by needing more, pine cones make a terrific easy homemade fire starter! They’ll burn quite well on their own, but if you dip it into melted candle wax, it’ll catch fire quickly and burn steady and hot.

More Family Fun

• How To Make Outdoor DIY Puffy Paint
• How To Make Sidewalk Chalk Paint (Boredom Buster!)
• Hobbies For Kids: Fun Ideas They’ll Love

Pin For Later!

The post Easiest BEST DIY Homemade Fire Starter appeared first on Made In A Pinch.