Homemade Fire Starters - Shredded Paper and Wax

I'm super cheap sometimes, and I like messing around in the garage. I took some paper from our paper shredder, and some candles from the dollar store and made homemade fire starters. Enjoy!
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[@laurieallen2491]

Thanks for this demonstration. I particularly liked learning how long they burn! It was also helpful to learn how much wax was left when all was said and done. Thank you! Just as a point of clarification, the wax doesn't slow down the paper's burn--the lit paper enables the WAX to burn. The paper was saturated in the melted wax in the oil the candle was made from, and is actually providing the fuel that allows the flame to continue burning. Candle waxes are made from various oils, such as crude oil, soybean oil, palm oil, etc. Most oils will catch fire if exposed to an ignition source and a sufficiently high temperature. Your dollar store candles were almost certainly paraffin wax derived from crude oil. The shredded paper became saturated with the melted wax just like a candle wick does, and now behaves like a candle wick. Volatile compounds in the wax vaporize when they reach the heat of the flame (which can reach up to 1830 degrees Fahrenheit/1000 degrees C). It's this vapor that's actually the combustible portion of the wax and continues to fuel the flame until it's all gone--or you blow it out.

[@suzannehannahs6104]

Thanks! Cleaning my shredder right now and thought the same thing. Great video. I've made these with pine and cedar pet bedding chips in the past. Adding the paper to the mix on my next round. I also add a bit of oil to the wax to increase burn time. 👍🏻

[@BigLewBBQ]

Dave, I've done this for years and I used to do this often. You can use Gulf wax (for canning), or buy candle making wax at a hobby or craft store like Michael's or Hobby Lobby. The wax is very inexpensive. I've never used shredded paper as the medium but I can see that it should work as well as any other. I use saw dust or dryer lint both of which, like shreaded paper are free, if you don't wood work, you probably know someone who does, and he will give you sawdust. I also use an old camp stove and pan. I stir the lint or saw dust right into the melted wax to form a paste. When it cools enough to touch yet is still plyable enough to mold, I stuff the mixture in to used toilet paper rolls. A whole roll is perfect for starting a fireplace, chiminea, or camp fire. Cut the TP roll molded wax mixture into third for three great charcoal chimeny starters. I haven't made these for three or four years now, because I came across nearly a hundred pounds of fat wood. Which I use for fireplace, chimena and camp fires but not charcoal. I probably won't make another year of my fat wood supply I gave some away too. I'll probably start making fire starters again next year. I shouldn't have put off making a video about it. You beat me to it. Your silicon molds were a great idea. Why yes I am cheap like you. You made an absolutely wonderful video here! Thank you.

[@JohnSmith-qf1jn]

Be super cheap now so you can be high end when you decide on what to buy. Dude, I feel like I found a new best friend. Thanks for sharing, will try this ASAP.

[@daveshouseofbbq]

Wow! Thanks. Cheap is an ugly word, I should have said frugal!!

[@dabmane]

Good ideas. By the way, the candle wax IS the fuel, it’s not that it slows the paper down from burning. The paper just acts as a wick to allow more wax Timi vaporize and burn with the air. Without a wick, candle wax isn’t flammable enough to burn with the air at a sustainable rate.

[@lola-gj3kj]

Super helpful and well done video! Thanks Dave

[@crazymonkey9611]

This is great! Brilliant idea! Thanks for sharing it with us.

[@LisaMarieMJ]

Great video! You gave me a great idea with the cupcake liners that I have a ton of. 👍🏼

[@PicklesBBQandCooking]

Savvy idea Dave, I've thought about the same thing now I'm sure I'll do it!

[@BBQJOE]

This is awesome and brilliant at the same time..! I'm definitely going to do something similar to this. If I make a video on it I'll most definitely shout you out. Thx for sharing this with us.

[@davidsebastianvegas3534]

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[@mirabarrett693]

Thanks Dave, gotta give that a try.

[@rodagerter7813]

Thanks for sharing this, gonna give this a try.

[@debbie3762]

Awesome thanks! I'm looking for ways to use my paper recycling 😊

[@heckyesitsjess84]

Great idea!

[@user-tr3iq5km5v]

Thanks so much Dave. I beats have to buy pet bedding, and I have shedded paper already in the house.

[@patriciamuszynski1328]

This is really cool. I’m going to make these for camping :)

[@daveshouseofbbq]

Patricia Muszynski Thanks. I’ve been using them for a couple months, they work great. Almost time to make another batch.

[@Mumsy_Soap]

Helpful. Thanks for sharing

[@kashkrickler7057]

Great tip

[@charleyt4965]

Rural king has gulf paraffin wax 1 lb for under 4.00

[@kenatkins3781]

Thanks. It's pretty awesome, simple and inexpensive.8-)

[@papafluffrodriguez1056]

Good looking. Got so many ideas now. Time to bbq!

[@andreasinclair3630]

Is wax safe to use in a fireplace? Will the residue cake the chimney or be an issue at the bottom?

[@daveshouseofbbq]

I have no idea. I only use these outdoors.

[@johnknapp6328]

Dave this fantastic idea I think you just need measurable small amout of wax, teaspoon, tablespoon, The one store sells parafin its used in canning candle making $3.59 a pound ill bet just a hot teaspoon of wax just enough to keep paper together, maybe Ill see you on shark tank.👍👍👍👍👍

[@daveshouseofbbq]

John Knapp I thought about paraffin, but saw these cheapos in the dollar store

[@3dcandlecreationsgiftshop916]

Hey do you think yarn would work instead of the paper?

[@daveshouseofbbq]

Possibly? I’m not 100% certain how well yarn burns.

[@3dcandlecreationsgiftshop916]

@@daveshouseofbbq I found out it's probably not a good idea unless it's cotton yarn because of fumes.

[@Mumsy_Soap]

Like your disclaimer, don't do anything stupid

[@hwluk12]

Heat the wax directly is dangerous. Heat the wax in a bowl in boiling water.