How to Start the Perfect Campfire
Recycle Household Leftovers to Make Non-Toxic Fire-Starters
Feb 25, 2009
Who can't love something that recycles egg cartons, dryer lint and candle stubs? They're all you need to make fire-starters that guarantee a one-match campfire.
Since candles are involved, this should only be done by adults or with adult supervision. Work in a clean, uncluttered area.
Materials
- Egg Cartons (paper, not Styrofoam)
- Dryer Lint
- Candle Stubs
Collecting the raw materials is easy and doesn’t create a mess. Simply keep an empty egg carton near the clothes dryer and begin to accumulate lint from the dryer. Use the egg carton as a container to hold the lint. As you replace candles around the house, store the (extinguished) stubs inside the egg carton.
You’ll need about a foot of lint for one 12-egg carton and only one or two candle stubs. If you haven’t finished any candles lately, use a new one, as not much wax is needed.
Making the Fire-Starters
- Tear the lint and insert enough into each egg cup in the carton so that it’s filled halfway.
- Light a candle and drip wax over the lint and onto the inner sides of each egg cup. Hold the candle safely away so the lint doesn’t catch fire.
- When each egg cup of lint is waxed, add enough lint to fill the cups. Use the candle again to cover each with drops of wax.
It's that simple.
Building the Perfect Campfire
Now that you have the perfect fire-starters, you need to know how to build the perfect fire.
- Tear off one cup and place it in the centre of the firepit.
- Using small twigs (kindling), erect a teepee over and around the fire-starter. Place a couple of larger sticks of wood over the teepee.
- Light the fire-starter by holding a match or lighter to the sides and top of the egg cup. Be sure there is enough space around the fire-starter and kindling to allow oxygen to fuel the fire.
- When the kindling is burning well, slowly place larger twigs onto the teepee to keep it burning. As the pieces of wood catch fire and burn, add larger pieces of dry wood without smothering the fire.
Campfire Safety
- Only build fires in a man-made firepit that has been dug out and lined with sand and gravel.
- Keep children a safe distance back from the firepit and clear any debris or obstacles that could cause trip hazards.
- Thoroughly extinguish the fire with water or sand. Never leave a fire unattended.
- An impromptu campfire built on the ground is dangerous. Even when extinguished, underground roots may be smoldering and lead to a forest fire.
- Never cut down live trees or branches. Not only is it destructive to the environment, but green wood doesn't burn.
- Never use combustible products (such as barbecue lighter fluid) to ignite a fire.
- Keep a pail of water nearby to douse the fire in emergencies.
Now you have a pack of twelve fire-starters. When packing your camping supplies, take the whole carton or simply tear off one for as many campfires you'll have. You’ll never look at dryer lint the same way again.
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