Hi all!   Here's a great way to make some firestarters to get your campfire going fast!   You only need a couple things, and they're fun to make with the kids when it's cold outside and you're just dreaming of camping!   Here's what you need:

Dryer lint or shredded newspaper
Small paper cups  (about 8 oz.)
Melted Wax

All you have to do is fill the cup about 1/2 way with dryer lint.  Pour melted wax to cover (usually about 1/2 way up the cup).  Set the cups aside until the wax hardens.    When you need to start a fire, simply put the cup under your campfire wood and light it.   The wax and dryer lint (or shredded newspaper) will keep the cup burning long enough to get your fire going, even with wet wood!

Now, for a couple of tips.  Rather than spending a lot of money on wax, I go to "garage" or "tag" sales to buy candles.  To melt the wax, I fill a large kettle halfway with water and put the candles in a coffee can.  I then put the coffee can into the kettle of hot water until the candles are melted.  (I call it a homemade double boiler.)   I then use a fork or something to scoop out the wicks and throw them away.  Then I pour the melted wax into the paper cups.    Using a coffee can for this is great, as you don't want to get wax all over one of your good pots, and you can bend it to make it easier to pour out the hot wax. 

Like I said, this works GREAT!   For larger fires, I may use two firestarters, but for most, one is more than enough to get your fire going. 

Have Fun!

Julie

I know its always blue, but would navel lint (fluff) substitute?
OK, I know.......!!
cheers mikel

My mate has a tin, with a bit of kero in it, he drops all his tea bags in it with the strings hanging over the side, when he gets a few he also dunks them in melted wax, the wax stops the kero smell while they are being stored or carried camping etc. & as Mrs Mick said the wax slows them down, so they last a while.
Trev
Aus

This is a gold mine of good ideas, here's a couple more of fire starters, use an old egg carton cut up into twelve with the wax etc recipe of Mrs Mik. The wax cartons (used to transport lettuces) from your fruit market cut up into squares are good and if all else fails buy Firestarters from your favourite Two Dollar Shop like I do.

pd

Hey Bull_Sholes
Where does one get steel wool?
From hydraulic Rams

The Roosel