How to make firestarters - HD

In this video I will show you how I like to make some very simple and inexpensive firestarters. I use these when I'm having a hard time lighting a fire. It may be snowing, wet, windy, raining... etc. They work great! Enjoy!

[@john-michaelrobinson3994]

Waiting for the wax to start smoking is a very bad idea! That means it is approaching the flash point and may spontaneously combust.

[@catherinejohns8449]

If it's liquid, it's ready to pour! No need to wait for the smoke!

[@benwarren2559]

I just noticed you are a Navy vet. my wife is currently in the United States. Thank you so much for your service

[@ericlaird7508]

When it's freezing cold and wet and you are feeling absolutely miserable....a fire is life itself and improve's moral instantly!!!...

[@WesBos]

Just wanted to say that I followed this video 5 years ago and I made hundreds of them for my BBQ and campfire and they have been fantastic! I leave them in the rain and they start no problem. I'm making some more now and I wanted to share a few tips I've learned over the years: 1. No need to a wick - I find if you rip the cartons by hand, they all get thin paper edges on them that light very easily 2. I mix the sawdust in a big pot with the wax. I find I used less wax this way, and was able to scoop the fully saturated sawdust into the carton 3. wax has gotten expensive - I found a huge box of half used candles at a catholic church thrift store for free and many large candles at yard sales.

[@jerrycoleman7990]

That is an excellent idea. I'm cutting up fire wood later today, I got some use candles. Now I'm gonna make me some

[@randydavis9324]

I have been making firestarters from egg cartons in a similar way for about 40 years. I pour melted wax onto the egg carton and then drain it back into the wax bucket. After the egg carton cools, i spoon in sawdust mixed with citronella lamp oil. When all of the cups are full, I pour melted wax over the top to seal up the firestarters. I was taught to put aluminum foil under the carton to avoid a mess, but I use wax paper now instead. The oil helps start the fire faster and keep the bugs at bay, but yours have a longer burn time. Great video. Recent sub checking out some of your older stuff.

[@davidrubelowsky5608]

Excellent idea. I especially liked the Spider-Man guest appearance😊

[@2flipped563]

I have been making them for years ,but I mix the sawdust and wax together then pour into cartons without the wick.

[@2flipped563]

Where can I find the way you do the stove made of women’s deodorant in small cans

[@chatton58]

Thanks for the great instructions. These will work great starting my fireplace.

[@grayjappe562]

A paint scraper will scrape the wax off the wood easier

[@jiujitsu2000]

Is taken me 10 years to finally learn that... lol 😆

[@danieltafoya7130]

Nice work. I need to make me a batch of these for the fireplace! Thanks!

[@jiujitsu2000]

+Daniel Tafoya Thank you brotha! Jute twine or cotton string/yarn works better!

[@joepangit6938]

Thank you for the nice video. I'd have borrowed one of my wife's metal dough cutters or a meat cleaver to scrape the wax off of the wood (she hates me). I like the sawdust fuel. I might try poking a cotton ball into the top before the wax sets so it will light easy with a ferro rod.

[@toolnurse]

Just lay parchment paper under egg carton before pouring, wax will peel right off, clean, and the paper is reusable

[@charlesearl3994]

That was a great video I learned a lot about making the fire starters that I did not know thank you thank you thank you

[@jiujitsu2000]

Thank you!

[@scottc346]

Perform this job on a large piece of parchment paper. Much easier to clean up.

[@gazinta]

I was thinking a cooling rack over an old cookie sheet.

[@catherinejohns8449]

My thought as well! Or wax paper, or foil... The foil you could even make up turned edges on to prevent the wax from dripping. With any of those 3 you can crack the wax off and return the wax to your wax can pretty easily.

[@danburch9989]

Carpenters probably would love to have someone take their sawdust off their hands. Now I have a use for all the sawdust I create with my projects. I have a small pile of planer sawdust that I now know what I can do with it.

[@raykarl2119]

To keep your work bench clean, just use a large cookie sheet pan!

[@catherinejohns8449]

cookie sheet with wax or parchment paper, even better.

[@mr.j5919]

The egg crate itself will burn very good

[@sandersjones1577]

I appreciate the video on making candels but a 3” metal Puddy scraper works better just a suggestion

[@mermaidlafemme1022]

Maybe you could try heating wax in a old thrift shop metal teapot I find the spout gives more control....i make similar for my multi burning stove ....hugs from Scotland....love your videos❤🤗

[@scottp6350]

Thanks for the ideas!

[@stormysampson1257]

Don't need wicks!

[@sherizuech6562]

I've been making these for years but with dryer lint. Sawdust would be a cleaner look though. They do work very well for getting the fire going .

[@jimeburg4828]

On cleaning the wax back u[p, when all the wax is reheated it will burn off the small amount of the wood scraped up with the wax.

[@johnbutler5208]

Cat food can rubbing alcohol. Works great.

[@briannagorman3119]

U don't really need the sawdust. Just wax it the egg carton

[@justme8108]

The 'other section' that you cut off, could be dipped in wax, and used itself, as a fire starter. No waste.

[@STAR-RADIANCE]

Interesting. I’ll have to try this

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

We'll set up our camps here - and have the pickets keep a clear eye, lots of warnin' We deprive the enemy of the high ground, and we'll have a good chance to win the comin' battle…JNO Buford - Battle of Gettysberg…

[@jiujitsu2000]

Oh yea! Thank you fortunecookie45LC!!! :)

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

jiujitsu2000 And General Robert E. Lee rose early while the campfires were still burning "This is my favorite time of day..." - the most loved general in all of US history.

[@welty69]

I do this and mix in a bit of magnesium shavings...... or road flare dust......... VERY hot and can get most ANYTHING started...........and it is pretty cheap when you do this over a few egg cartons........

[@daleeveland5579]

4 inch putty knife would be quicker for scraping up the wax

[@philipkclay]

Those are a great idea. What are your thoughts on using recycled coffee grounds to make these? Most people make coffee and would have the grounds available. I had seen a company that was making fire logs with recycled grounds. Great vid, keep them coming.

[@jiujitsu2000]

Thats a great idea! I'll bet it would work great and smell good! :)

[@themaximusone]

make it easy on yourself use WAX PAPER AND PLACE IT UNDERNEATH YOUR WORK LOL ;-)

[@chrispierce2942]

Even better is thin foil, the wax will peel right off in one big chunk

[@FernCurtis]

@@chrispierce2942 True, BUT the wax paper could then be used later for fire starting as well. The benefit to using the tin foil is that it would be re-useable....Half a dozen of one and the other which way to go.

[@gregoryhare7268]

I like to really thank you for this and a couple other's I've seen really cool thanks and keep cool and ✌.

[@jiujitsu2000]

Thank you for stopping by! Please feel free to look around my Channel with other videos I have over 1,300

[@forrestwilbur7111]

Great idea but less measy with a coffee pot to pour out of, hardly any mess.

[@gonelooney5698]

Just put some foil wrap under the egg carton

[@oppose4456]

This firestarters works great I made them when I go camping and it burns relly long so it's easy to start a fire!

[@jiujitsu2000]

Excellent! Thank you!

[@ricksorber9562]

We used to make these at the campground. We used sawdust from the chainsaw. We never used wicks, we just lit a corner of the cardboard.

[@JudithStOnge]

spatula would work better. boiling water will melt and life most of that wax from wood. Or use something besides wood. Glass would be smart.

[@dylanbaileypickering4680]

do you need the wicks or not?

[@johnjeffy4895]

I like the way you think very resourceful and creative

[@garywhelansr5602]

wonder if they ll boil water in a pinch

[@PyroRob69]

Great idea. I think what I would do is keep the egg carton intact. It allows you to protect your wick from damage, and it also gives you a bit of extra fuel in case you are having a tough time getting the tinder lit due to being just a bit damp. I have used a smokeless gunpowder firestarter for decades. Used to use a film can, but those aren't too common any more, so you can use a pill bottle. Fill it with a cheap smokeless powder, and then pour enough acetone in to it, to make the powder mushy. All you need is a chunk about the size of your thumbnail and will start a fire even in some of the most miserable weather.

[@brplatten1273]

Will thay take a spark?

[@richardreeves3596]

Can these be started with a ferrocerium rod

[@jimeburg4828]

Just an FYI. Could you cut the twine and soak them in the wax, they become somewhat stiff. Then add them to the egg carton before you add the sawdust and the wax. Just an idea. Is there any difference in the sawdust used? I have some saved frim the Hedgeapple - Osage Orange which is quite fine. Would that work as well as the pine or spruce which is a little larger chunks of the dust? Good idea for starters.

[@russlittle7576]

looks like it works relly good

[@Thehappyme02]

Just an idea...maybe you could use a piece of heavy duty foil and it would be easy to break off the foil. Though scraping that wax off is very gratifying (:

[@danconway5505]

Notice that his wife kicked him out of her kitchen!

[@StephenR-sz7pl]

I would have never thought of using a paper egg carton. Hudathunkit?? Thank you for your time and demonstration.

[@kennethturner4014]

Kool

[@joe226825]

Never use an open flame to melt a fire accelerant; you are literally playing with fire especially inside a home or shop.Use a covered Crock-Pot out of doors. Otherwise Keep the Fire Department on Speed Dial.😮

[@forrestwilbur7111]

Fire bug.

[@crazysquirrel9425]

ever try sawdust from a chain saw and bacon grease?

[@destan5568]

Great firestarters man, thanks for sharring you're insight with us. And ill be sure to use this technique and also keep the great videos comming :)

[@jiujitsu2000]

Thank you!

[@bgochicoa]

Lot's of wasted motion: 1) no need for wicks - the soaked cardboard is a wick, 2) poking holes for the wicks lets more wax leak out, 3) why mess up your bench? - set the carton on top of parchment paper on top of a piece of cardboard or plywood.

[@eyelovemakeup24]

Where can you get a bucket of sawdust if you aren’t working with wood??

[@jiujitsu2000]

Do you have a home depot or hardware store?

[@eyelovemakeup24]

JIUJITSU2000 Yess, just don’t wanna pay $$$ for a bucket of wood.. lol

[@wmluna381]

I was just thinking the exact same thing. 😆 Wondering if cedar or pine shavings from the pet store might work in a pinch / to a degree.

[@trevorsgaragemusings]

Good stuff brother!

[@jiujitsu2000]

Thank you brotha!

[@davidjohnston5084]

Nice great job there cool idea thanks so much God bless u sir ur family

[@matrimcauthon31477]

awesome idea of the egg carton. aluminum foil for the mess.

[@FrugalSelfReliant]

Nice video, I've always dryer lint. Never thought to use sawdust.

[@jiujitsu2000]

I like the lint ones too. They work great!

[@jonfyfazan]

👏🔥👌🎄🎅🏻🇳🇴🤠

[@waredbear]

Hey JIUJITSU good to see another video. I will have to try making some of these with a wick. Did you use Jute twine for the wicks?

[@jiujitsu2000]

+RedBear Outdoors hey! Thank you. Cotton attrition works better from whay I've learned. .

[@richardkut3976]

Thanks again,

[@jiujitsu2000]

Thanks again!

[@pjmbronke]

Well thought out and it works very well when there is a lot of wind. Thumbs up for this!!

[@soulair3038]

Merci beaucoup

[@RafaelGonzalez-mk5pw]

excellent idea, thanks for sharing it.

[@johnwriterpoet1783]

What kind of material are the wicks?

[@candelariogarcia.5784]

Nice

[@danielduncan700]

What kind of wax is it?

[@jiujitsu2000]

paraffin wax. old candle wax

[@chadliggett286]

Brother, Man that burn for a long time what 30 mins? Awesome video!

[@BBQDad463]

Thank you for this video. I wish you had allowed the firestarter to burn all the way to the end.

[@hemanttripathi3175]

Nice information

[@hemanttripathi3175]

Nice information

[@cheflorenzo4491]

Why bother with the wicks, just light the bottom of each firestarter.

[@mindseye8595]

Fresh

[@gman77gas]

Cool idea about the sawdust. I have plenty..I have made them the dryer lint way....but I am going to try a combo of lint and sawdust. thanks

[@jiujitsu2000]

Thank you. Sounds like a good idea. :)

[@glasmaster]

Great idea! Thanks for sharing

[@jiujitsu2000]

Thanks!

[@alliciahughes6170]

Are those actual candle wicks? It looks like twine.

[@Andy-in8ej]

Why not mix the sawdust with wax then pour.?

[@addisonwb]

The actual burn characteristics are phenomenal...very impressed. Have you ever tried these in a can stove as a small quantity cooking source? Maybe water for coffee or soup?

[@charleskiplinger9904]

What's your burn time on them?

[@AxelSituation]

Great video, thank you!!

[@paulcarter2388]

What is the wick material?

[@woodj6220]

Nice! I'm going to make a big one. Like the log size ones they sell at the store.

[@jiujitsu2000]

Thanks, The big ones work great!

[@laser74hobby]

So how long will one burn by itself when lit?

[@laszu7137]

+laser74hobby Look at the video.

[@Tsiri09]

Great videos!

[@or2169]

Cool.

[@Viewer19]

Too bad egg cartons are foam plastic now. Dipping the rope in wax before would help.

[@angelus_solus]

Dip round makeup pads in melted wax. Let them harden on a sheet pan/pizza pan. Done. Each 1/4 wedge will burn six minutes and eight minutes if you dip two pads stacked. If you dampen them with kerosene before you dip them, they light right away with a ferro rod and burn much hotter. This is simply too much crap to go through to get something that can be replaced by something thinner and just as effective.

[@jiujitsu2000]

I actually have a video on that. They work great!

[@angelus_solus]

@@jiujitsu2000 I'm very sure you knew about these. You see though, it seemed to me that the viewers didn't which is why I made my comment. I should have made that more clear so I'm sorry for the confusion.

[@ndredneck79]

easier if you just lay down a piece of tin foil

[@jiujitsu2000]

Much cleaner I'll bet, but if I'm not making a mess it's just not as fun... Ha ha. :)

[@ndredneck79]

jiujitsu2000 it was just a suggestion but great vid will be making some for camping this summer thanks

[@jiujitsu2000]

A great suggestion! Thanks! :)

[@rolandgoertzen5055]

I don’t know what audience you’re trying for but I couldn’t get through that crap music in the intro, sorry.

[@jiujitsu2000]

Can't please everyone. Thank you for trying!

[@nohwan3713]

This video is to teach children not adults ...too much talking

[@romaineathey2690]

I did it too. This is what I used Woodprix designs for

[@Sittin.]

Why not just use a candle as it is? I mean... what makes a firestarter a better choise? Nice project though.

[@remyllebeau77]

A candle has more burn time but it also has a smaller flame. You want intensity for starting a fire, if you just want light then you can use a candle. If you consider wind resistance, I would take this over a candle any day.

[@khlash]

Nice info. But seriously...22 minutes? Would have been much better as a five minute video.

[@jiujitsu2000]

Thanks, True, shorter would be better. :)

[@HarrySatchelWhatsThatSmell]

A 22 minute video jam-packed with 10 minutes of information!