Homemade fire starters...on the cheap.

I have gotten 10lbs blocks of wax from Hobby Lobby, and if you can time it right and get it on sale, you may save 50% off regular price

 

THAT is an awesome idea.
I picked up some stinky candles from a dollar dump, and I had some pretty good smelling fire starters!

 

What do you use to melt the wax?

 

A crock pot the Mrs. Retired.

 

Perfect. No open flame near the wax.

 

I have one like that that I'm going to toss.

Hotplate still works but non-stick is all scratched and releasing,

 

I just warm it up and take the melted wax as needed, then let it cool off for the next time. I was storing the ends of the candles right inside it but lately all the candles we have been using are in glass jars so not much left when the wick is burned out.

 

I did my last 2 batches on the gas stove.
My rationale is that the wax shouldn't get hot enough to vaporize.
So I get it melted but not crazy thin and hot.
(like someone from a past life . . .)

 

I use a double boiler on a gas stove. As long as you pay attention to what you are doing, it is not a problem.

 

What else are you gonna do when it’s-45f windchill outside? 654 of them,
5 cans of wax

 

Yeah buddy! If you don’t mind me asking where did you source your wax?

 

Scrounge it like firewood.

but seriously, our own candle remnants, used scented wax melts (Scentsy, etc), but the bulk of it comes from garage/yard sales and secondhand thrift type stores. Those types of stores always have lots of candles and they have them priced pretty ridiculously for a used candle. I’ll gather up a pile and take them to the counter and make them an offer. Yard/garage sales same thing, they’re wanting the crap gone. So gather up every piece of wax they have and shoot them a pretty low offer. The sales will almost always take it to get rid of the stuff, sometimes the stores won’t except but if you offered low enough you can probably meet in the middle.
I doubt I had $10 invested in those 5 cans and each can will do approximately 4 of those flats at 30 per flat

 

Thanks

 

You can also ask friends and family to save wax for you. Even/especially candles in jars often times they don’t burn up properly.

 

I probably don’t use 2 dozen starters a season in the stove at home. Maybe a couple dozen more for outdoor fires and camping. But I’m gonna try selling bundles in the near future and plan to put one in each bundle

 

What is you carbon medium? Sawdust/chips/noodles...
Never thought of using a 30 rack. Very cool idea.

 

Saw dust from a chainsaw

as for the 30 count egg cartons, the wife was bringing them home from work until I finally said I had plenty. I probably have enough cartons to make at least 3000 more fire starters.

 

And here I thought I had a lot of firestarters made when I reached the 200 mark. I use egg cartons, drier lint and wax.

 

I still say Pinecones are natures perfect Firestarter. The open scales with a hint of pitch on them light up beautifully, and last plenty long to ignite the kindling.