7 Easy Fire Starters You Can Make At Home
Nobody can deny that knowing how to start a fire and keep it burning is one of the most important skills that anyone could learn. And yet, many people still rely on store-bought fire starter logs and supplies to get the job done.
Well, we’re here today to show you there’s a better (and cheaper) way. These seven easy DIY fire starters will get your fire burning again in no time, and might even help you out if you’re ever stuck in a pinch.
Toilet Paper Roll and Dryer Lint
Starting off with one of the easiest (and cheapest) ways to make a fire starter: using a toilet paper roll and dryer lint. To make this, all you have to do is stuff a toilet paper roll with a couple of handfuls of lint the next time you clear out your dryer. It’s that simple!
Not only is this hack practically free, but you can also feel good about saving countless toilet paper rolls from ending up in the landfill.
Cotton Pads or Cotton Balls and Vaseline
If you take a look in your bathroom cupboard, you’ll find everything you need to make the next fire starter on our list. Cotton makeup pads or cotton balls can be great for taking off makeup or nail polish, but if you dip them in a little Vaseline (petroleum jelly), they also make a quick and easy fire starter. Vaseline is super flammable, and the cotton pads won’t take up much space in your bag.
Pro tip: Make a few of these ahead of time and throw them in your emergency kit. Just remember to put them in a plastic bag first so you don’t make a mess.
Fritos / Any Greasy Chip
If you needed an excuse to add your favorite greasy chip to your survival kit, this is it! Not only are chips a tasty snack that most people keep stocked, but they also burn well for a good amount of time. All you need to do is make a pile of chips (at least 20, if you want to get specific), and light it up.
And there’s no need to think about healthy swaps—the greasier the chip, the better it’ll burn!
Pinecone or Wine Cork Dipped in Wax
This is another great way to make a fire starter using things you’d probably otherwise throw out. Save your wine corks or go outside and collect some pinecones from your backyard, and save the ends of your candles as they burn down for a cheap way to get the wax you need. Then, all you need to do is dip the pinecones or corks into warm wax and let them dry.
This is a great DIY fire starter that you can make in bulk ahead of time and keep around for when you need it.
Pinecone or Wine Cork Dipped in Rubbing Alcohol
Not a big fan of wax or candles? No problem! You can easily swap out the wax in the last DIY fire starter for rubbing alcohol and get the same results.
Just dip the pinecones or wine corks into rubbing alcohol to make them burn even longer.
Sawdust muffin
This is by far the most complicated fire starter on this list, but we included it for a good reason. If you’re looking for something a bit more heavy duty, a sawdust muffin can burn for at least 15 minutes, giving you lots of time to get your fire going. Just fill a paper muffin cup with wood shavings or sawdust and then pour wax in to fill in all the extra space. Let it sit for a little while to cool until the wax is set.
To use a sawdust muffin, just light the paper and the entire thing will burn. It does come in a little heavier than other fire starters on this list, making it a less favorable option for backcountry campers or hikers. But if weight isn’t an issue, sawdust muffins look cute and work great!
Birch Bark
And finally, we saved the simplest firestarter for last: birch bark. Birch bark dries easily and burns super well, making it a great option for anyone who lives near birch trees.
Just throw a few pieces of birch bark in with your tinder before you light it to get your fire lit faster, and you're good to go!