How to craft your own DIY firestarters

In this handy guide we’ll tell you how to create 7 types of firelighter from materials you can easily find around the house or out in nature.

(Or, you could save yourself the hassle and buy our great value, eco friendly firelighters!)

How to make birch firelighters

Birch trees are easy to find in the UK and their bark is fantastic for starting fires. 

1. Gather up some birch bark. This is the white, papery layer and the layer beneath it.
2. Tightly roll up each piece of bark.
3. Use string to tie up each roll so that it stays nice and tight
4. Pop one or two birch firelighters at the bottom of your kindling pile when it’s time to light the fire 

How to make cotton wool firelighters

These are quick and easy to make, and burn very well!

1. Make a few small balls of cotton wool
2. Dip each ball in petroleum jelly (like Vaseline) and rub it around to get good coverage
3. Keep the petroleum jelly covered cotton wool balls in a waterproof container
4. Pop one under your kindling when you’re lighting up

How to make beeswax firelighters

Beeswax is naturally flammable and can be used for many different types of firelighter.

1. Melt some beeswax – there are a few ways to do this
2. Get a cotton wool ball or a pinecone and dip it in the melted wax
3. Leave it to dry on baking paper
4. Once dried, store somewhere dry
5. Light the beeswax firelighter when you need it

How to make egg carton firelighters

The logic here is similar to the above, except you’re using an egg carton to contain the waxy material.

1. Cut an empty egg box in half along the fold
2. Fill each egg slot with sawdust, paper shreddings, or lint from your tumble dryer
3. Pour melted wax over each section: this could be beeswax or wax from a candle
4. Let it dry
5. Cut out each individual egg slot
6. Add one to a fire and light it to get things going

How to make toilet roll tube firelighters

Again, similar to the above but with toilet roll tubes instead of an egg box!

1. Fill a tube with sawdust, paper shreddings, or lint
2. Submerge the tube in melted wax: ideally horizontally to prevent everything falling out!
3. Allow everything to dry until the wax hardens
4. Cut off a slice of the tube about 2cm thick each time you need to light a fire

How to make pinecone firelighters

As with birch bark, pinecones are all natural and nicely flammable!

1. Gather up some pinecones
2. If they’re not already dried out, wait for them to dry
3. Dip the pinecones in wax
4. Let it dry
5. Burn one cone each time you need to light a fire!

How to make Dorito firelighters

Doritos and similar off-brand crisps have a good ratio of overall moisture to flammable oils, making them good for lighting fires in a pinch.

1. Grab a handful and crush them up into small pieces
2. Add the pieces to the bottom of your kindling pile
3. Light the fire and watch the Doritos get to work

Or use the best firelighters

There you have it: 7 ways to make firelighters from materials you can find around the house or in nature. And as we said at the beginning, if you’d rather skip the hassle and use a great value, eco friendly firelighter – we can help.