Fire starters make it easy to get a roaring fire going, but what do you do with them when you’re done? Instead of tossing them in the trash, recycle them! Here’s how to recycle fire starters quickly and easily.
Do Fire Starters Expire?
Any seasoned camper knows the importance of a good fire starter. Whether you’re trying to cook dinner or stay warm in an emergency, being able to quickly and easily start a fire can make all the difference.
But what many campers don’t realize is that fire starters have a shelf life, and over time, they will become less effective.
For best results, experts recommend using fire starters within two years of purchase. After that, the chemicals in the fire starter will begin to break down, making it harder to ignite. So if you’re heading out on a long camping trip, be sure to check your fire starters and pack fresh ones if necessary.
That said, it’s important to check the specifications on your package. Most are rated for 15,000 strikes, while there are other brands (like Live Fire Gear) that last forever.
How To Recycle Fire Starters?
If you’re looking for a way to be more eco-friendly, recycling your used fire starters is a great place to start. There are a few different ways you can do this, so choose the method that best suits your needs.
One option is to collect the used fire starters in a jar or container. Once the container is full, you can then take it to your local recycling center.
Another option is to reuse the fire starters yourself. If they’re made of paper, you can simply soak them in water and then wring them out before using them again. If they’re made of wax, you can melt them down and pour them into molds to create new fire starters.
Whichever method you choose, recycling your fire starters is a great choice.
How To Make Your Own Recycled Campfire Starters
Want to make your own recycled campfire starters? If you don’t want to buy expensive fire starters at the store, making your own DIY starters is a great alternative.
To do this, you’ll need to start by choosing the right material. Here are some of the best materials you can use to make your own recycled campfire starters – and a few tips on how to do it.
Dryer Lint
Dryer lint is one of the best materials to use if you want to build a fire. After all, there’s a reason why you’re supposed to clean the lint trap out after each load of laundry – the lint is super flammable! You can easily make your own DIY fire starter simply by shoving a bunch of dryer lint into an old toilet paper tube. Effective – and portable.
Pine Cones
Pine cones are natural materials that work wonders when it comes to starting a fire. The pine cones burn well on their own, plus they’re covered in sticky sap that not only burns well but also smells amazing.
Despite these benefits, pine cones ignite quickly and burn quickly – so you’ll want to dip the pine cones in wax before using them as fire starters. This will help them last much longer to ignite the rest of your logs.
Hand Sanitizer
These days, you’d be hard pressed to not find hand sanitizer in just about every household. Use it to start a fire by drizzling a bit on your firewood pile.
Wine Corks
Wine corks aren’t the most flammable items out there – but they will burn! They make great fire starters if you soak them in rubbing alcohol first. Just make sure you store the saturated corks in a mason jar (or another airtight container) to make sure they stay flammable between uses (so the alcohol doesn’t evaporate).
Shredded Paper Or Cotton Balls
Two more household items you can use to start a fire in a flash are shredded paper or cotton balls. Shred your old bills or save those cotton balls you had stored in the bathroom – both make fantastic fire starters.
Egg Cartons
Last but not least, egg cartons. Egg cartons can be made with old paper egg cartons, each of which has 12 perfectly-sized compartments. Stuff the entire egg carton with dryer lint, which will help increase the flammability of the cartons even more. Then, add some “fuel” to help the hot fire burn even longer. Petroleum jelly or melted crayons both work well for this!
Put a glob of petroleum jelly (or whatever else you choose to use for fuel) in the middle of the dryer lint, then pack the egg carton even more with dryer lint. Close the lid and voila! You have a portable fire starter that will ignite a fire well and keep it going for quite some time.
To get even more mileage out of this DIY fire starter, cut the egg carton up, with each “egg compartment” serving as its own enclosed fire starter. It’s an easy and mess-free way to start a fire when you’re out in the woods.
Here’s a video with more details on this process:
Where Can You Use Fire Starters
When it comes to starting a fire, there are a few different options available. The most common method is to use lighter fluid, but this can be expensive and it can also be dangerous if not used properly.
Another option is to use newspaper or kindling, but these can be hard to light and they can produce a lot of smoke.
Of course, the best way to start a fire is with a fire starter. You can purchase fire starters at most hardware stores, and they are easy to use. Simply light the fire starter and place it under your logs or charcoal. The fire starter will quickly ignite the logs or charcoal, and you will have a safe, easy fire in no time.
Now that you know how and when to use fire starters, all that’s left to figure out is what to do with them when you’re done using them. Follow the tips above and you’ll be in good shape!
So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about recycling fire starters. Now that you understand the process, it’s time to get started.