Who doesn’t love a campfire when you go camping? We do but you have to be able to get it started or those marshmallows just won’t roast themselves. We have 9 easy to make DIY campfire starters you can make and keep in your camper or camping gear.
First, you need to know how to light a campfire.
Next, you need a firestarter. I’m guessing you have almost all of the items we have included around the house already. Once you get your items together, making the firestarters is easy…and free! Don’t we all love free!
Here are 9 easy to make and frugal firestarters that we use to get that campfire rolling.
1. Dryer Lint, Egg Carton and Wax
Who doesn’t have dryer lint…If you don’t, you either aren’t cleaning out the lint trap or you don’t have a dryer! If you aren’t cleaning out the lint trap…I advise you to stop everything and do so!! (I’m married to a firefighter!)
To make these firestarters, you will need to add the lint to the egg carton and then melt your wax. We suggest you be careful and melt the wax with the double burner method so it doesn’t catch on fire. We linked a video below to show exactly how to do this method.
2. Dryer Lint in a TP Roll
It can’t get any easier than this one! You just take the lint and stuff it in the toilet paper roll! Yes, you heard me…its that easy. Its also super easy to light!
3. Paper Log
The paper log or bag method is pretty easy to make, also. You just need a brown paper sack or paper that will burn easily, then add items that will catch on fire. All you have to do is put the items inside the paper that burns and roll it up like a tootsie roll or you can close the paper sack and light it next time you need a firestarter.
Some items to include in your paper log:
- Shredded paper- we shred our junk mail, so I just hang on to the shavings to stuff paper logs with
- Cotton balls- you can put some small twigs in with the cotton ball to help it make embers
- Wine Corks soaked in rubbing alcohol
- Duct tape- did you know its a fire starter?? Yep!
- Pencil shavings- My kids keep me stocked with these
- Sawdust- We gather up the sawdust from our shop
- Dried orange peel- you should try this! It smells good too!
- Greasy potato chips- I wouldn’t suggest using this one if you plan to keep it out in the camper (mice)
- Small Pinecones
4. Pinecones
You can dip pinecones into the wax and coat them with sawdust or just put wax in a cupcake liner and set your pinecone down inside like the video below. Either method is easy, just be careful when handling hot wax.
5. Sawdust Cupcake
You can do this with sawdust or shredded paper. The easiest way is to put your sawdust or paper shavings into the cupcake liner and fill it with candle wax. The wax will help keep everything in place and you can light it too.
6. Cotton and Vaseline
This one is so simple, yet so effective. The cotton balls will burn by themselves but they burn even better with some vaseline.
All you need to do is put a glob of vaseline on the cotton ball, then you can keep them in a plastic container or plastic bag until you are ready to use them.
You can also dip your cotton balls in wax if you prefer, just be careful and use tweezers because hot wax burns!
7. Cupcake Liner with Tinder
You can make a great firestarter with a cupcake liner and some tinder. For tinder, add sawdust, wadded-up toilet paper, small pinecones, small sticks, pencil shavings, shredded paper, or even a cinnamon stick. Then pour the wax into the cupcake liner with the tinder and once it has cooled you can store these for firestarters.
8. Firestarter Can
We love this idea, we take a clean round can and some cardboard.
First, you make sure the can is clean and dry. Then you cut your cardboard so it will roll up inside the can. Once your cardboard is cut and rolled, tuck it into the can. Finally, melt your candle wax and pour it over into the can and let it cool. When you are ready to use it, just light it like you would a candle and place it under the logs you want to light.
9. DIY Firestarter Kit
For your kit, you will want a can like an Altoids mint can that will close. You will just need to make sure you pack it full of items that burn. We added in some matches, cotton balls (soaked in vaseline or wax), small twigs of wood or fatwood, duct tape, and twine.
You can put whatever you want in your can. Some people add a striker, lighter or fuel tablets.
Final Thoughts
Why buy firestarters when you can make your own. We hope you realize how easy and affordable it is to make some diy campfire starters and keep them on hand for your next campfire. We keep them ready to go in the camper!
If you are new to camping see our Guide to Tent Camping for Beginners. We also have a great post about games you can play with the kids when you are camping.