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In this post you will learn how to easily make your own fire starter log using dryer lint and a few items from around your house. Now is the time when all those old candles will come in handy!
With the first snow falling as I write this, it is officially Winter. Which means it’s fire pit season! Nothing is quite as cozy as wrapping up in blankets and warming up by a fire when the weather is cold. It is such a sweet and serene activity to share with your friends and family.
These fire starter logs are a great way to get your fire going, igniting your thicker logs to keep it burning throughout your time together.
What are fire starter logs?
Fire starter logs are artificial logs that are meant to ignite quickly and burn long enough for your wood to catch fire. It is basically something to help you start your fire more easily. You can find fire starter logs at all kinds of stores throughout the Winter season, but they are extremely easy to make at home.
Are toilet paper rolls good fire starters?
Cardboard toilet paper or paper towel rolls are perfect containers for your homemade fire starters. While they themselves are not slow-burning, their size and flammable quality provides a great container for your slow-burning ingredients. Make sure to use plain cardboard rolls that are not colored or coated in any kind of wax in order to avoid potential toxic fumes.
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Materials
You will need the following for this tutorial:
- Toilet Paper Rolls (just the cardboard tubes; see tips for alternatives)
- Nontoxic Wax Paper
- String
- Scissors
- Dryer Lint
- Wax (Don’t have extra wax or old candles lying around? Grab our favorite pellets here.)
How to Make Lint Fire Starter Logs
- Prepare Your Materials
Cover a metal baking sheet with wax paper to use as your work station. This will ensure that you don’t burn your table or counter as you pour your wax in.
- Add the First Round of Lint
Stuff lint tightly into the rolls to fill them halfway to the top. You want the lint to be tightly stuffed to avoid spillage when you pour in your first round of wax. Place your rolls, empty-half up on your workstation.
- Melt Wax
Whether you are using wax pellets or chunks of wax from old candles, use a double boiler method (see below) to melt your wax. If you have old candles that you want to use as your wax, see our post on melting and removing the old candle wax HERE to see how to melt it in detail.
DOUBLE BOILER METHOD:
– Pour a few inches of water into a pot and place on high heat. Once it reaches a soft boil, turn the heat down to medium and allow it to simmer.
– Place a heat proof glass bowl on top of the rim of the pan, not allowing it to actually touch the water.
– Add the wax into the heat proof bowl.
– Allow it to melt slowly, stirring regularly. Do not melt it at too high of a heat as some wax can ignite.
- Add Lint and Wax
Carefully pour about two spoonfuls of melted wax into each half-filled roll.
- Finish Adding Lint and Wax
Stuff enough lint into each roll to fill it to the top. Finally pour another two large spoonfuls of wax into each roll.
- Cut Out Wax Paper
Cut out a square of wax paper for each fire starter lint roll.
- Fold Wax Paper
Place a roll standing up in the middle of the wax paper, then fold the paper upwards to cover the roll and twist the top like the end of a tootsie roll.
- Secure the Wax Paper
Secure the twisted top with string. Once it is secured, your logs are ready to use! There’s no need to remove the string or anything else before using.
- Use Lint Logs in Your Fire Pit
To use your homemade fire starter, simply put it next to the smaller sticks you wish to ignite. Light your fire and allow it to catch the fire starter and the smaller sticks under or between larger pieces of wood so that it has time to light them. Watch as your log slowly burns and ignites the rest of your wood.
Tips
- As soon as your wax is used up, use a cloth or paper towel to wipe out any excess wax before washing. Be sure to hand wash whatever dishes you use for the melted wax immediately after using. DO NOT put them into the dishwasher! Wax can potentially clog and ruin your machine.
- Alternatives to toilet paper rolls: Paper towel rolls or cut up rolls from gift wrapping paper will do the trick.
- Fire starters make it easier for logs to ignite, but you will still need to use kindling when starting your fire. These just make it easier to ignite larger pieces of wood.
Q&A
Can I use scented wax in a homemade fire starter?
You can absolutely use scented candle wax, but you likely won’t smell the scent when it is burning in the log. These logs are for their utility, not their scent. We also recommend using candles with natural scents rather than any artificially added fragrances that are present in most scented candles.
Where can I buy plain wax pellets?
You can find wax pellets on Amazon, or in most craft stores such as Hobby Lobby or Michaels in the candle making section.
Can I use fire starter logs in my fireplace indoors?
If you want to use these in your indoor fireplace, be sure that (1) you are not adding anything toxic to your log such as a bleached or coated paper roll, (2) you have a fireplace flue and it is open in case of smoking.
These are meant for outdoor fires, but we have used them in a fireplace. Before you do so though, check your fireplace manufacturer’s guidelines to make sure it is safe for your fireplace. As always, safety first!
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