Fir Cone Fire Starters
Fir cone fire starters are a practical and creative way to light fires for your home, camping trips, or outdoor adventures. They’re eco-friendly, easy to make, and can double as thoughtful handmade gifts. Combining natural materials like pine cones and wood shavings with recycled wax, this activity is as sustainable as it is satisfying.
How long will it take?
How hard is it?
How many people can do it together?
Under 2 hours
Beginner-friendly
Participants: Best for solo or small group crafting
Anytime
a wildish story
What do you need?
Dry pine cones (collected from the woodland floor; dry in a low oven at 100°C for 30 minutes if damp)
Old crayons, leftover candle wax, or beeswax pellets
Dry wood shavings, straw, or dried grass
Parchment paper
Tongs
Saucepan
An old, clean tin or heatproof jar for melting wax
How to do it.
Melt the Wax Fill a saucepan halfway with water and bring it to a simmer. Place your wax (crayon stubs, candle bits, or beeswax) into a clean tin or heatproof jar.
Set the tin in the simmering water and let the wax melt gently.
Prepare Your Workspace Spread parchment paper over your work surface to catch any drips. Lay out your dry wood shavings, straw, or dried grass nearby so they’re easy to grab.
Dip the Pine Cones Using tongs, carefully dip a pine cone into the melted wax. Make sure the pine cone is evenly coated, and let any excess wax drip back into the tin.
Add Extra Tinder While the wax is still warm, quickly roll the coated pine cone in the wood shavings, straw, or grass. Work quickly, as the wax hardens fast.
Let Them Cool Place the finished pine cones on parchment paper and let them cool completely until hardened. Safety Notes Hot wax can be dangerous, so always supervise the process.
Use tongs to handle the pine cones, keep children and pets away, and never leave melting wax unattended.
Now you have beautiful and functional fire starters that are perfect for cozy nights by the fire, camping trips, or as handmade gifts that showcase your creativity and sustainability.