How to Make Botanical Fire Starters

These simple wax fire starters are a wonderful way to repurpose leftover candle wax while incorporating natural materials such as cedar, juniper, dried orange, lavender, and rose. They’re useful for getting a fire going in a fireplace, wood stove, fire pit, or outdoor campfire.

Ingredients

● Cedar

● Juniper

● Dried orange slices or pieces

● Lavender

● Rose petals

● Sawdust or small wood shavings

● Paraffin wax or leftover candle wax

Equipment

● Double boiler or a large pan and heat-safe metal can/container

● Cupcake or muffin pan

● Cupcake liners

● Candle wicks

● Baking sheet

● Parchment paper

● Tongs

● Spoon

Preparing the Molds

• Place parchment paper on your baking sheet. Set the cupcake or muffin pan on top of the parchment. This helps contain any wax that may spill over the edges.

• Place a cupcake liner into each section of the pan. You may want to double up the liners. Some brands can absorb wax or become difficult to remove from the pan once the wax has hardened.

• Lay out your cupcake cases and have all of your materials ready before melting the wax.

• Place a spoonful of sawdust or small wood shavings into each cupcake case. Add a small amount of your dried botanical material, such as cedar, juniper, dried orange, lavender, or rose.

If you’re using candle wicks, position a short piece in the center of each fire starter.

Melting the Wax

The safest way to melt wax is using a makeshift double boiler rather than placing wax directly over a flame.

• Fill a large pan with a few inches of water and bring it to a gentle simmer.

• Place your wax into a heat-safe metal container or old tin can that you don’t mind dedicating to wax. I often use leftover wax from candles that have burned down.

• Carefully place the container into the simmering water and allow the wax to melt. If the container begins to float, use tongs to carefully hold it in place so it doesn’t tip over.

Never leave melting wax unattended. 

Keep the heat low and avoid allowing water to come into contact with the melted wax. Once the wax has completely melted, carefully remove the container from the hot-water bath using tongs or appropriate heat protection. The container and wax will be extremely hot.

Making the Fire Starters

• Working carefully, immediately pour the melted wax over the sawdust and botanical materials in each cupcake case. Add enough wax to thoroughly bind the material together without completely overflowing the liner.

• Allow the fire starters to cool completely and harden.

• Once set, remove them from the muffin pan and store them somewhere cool and dry until you’re ready to use them.

A Note About Wax

You don’t necessarily need to purchase new wax for this project. Leftover candle wax works beautifully and is a great way to reuse candles that have burned down. If you don’t have wax available, paraffin wax can generally be found at hardware or craft stores. You can also look for inexpensive candles at charity or thrift stores and repurpose the wax.

Safety

Melted wax can cause serious burns, and wax should never be heated directly over an open flame. Use a water-bath method, keep children and pets away from the workspace, and never leave heating wax unattended.

Use these fire starters only in an appropriate fire-burning environment and follow the safety requirements for your fireplace, wood stove, fire pit, or campfire. Keep stored fire starters away from heat, sparks, and open flames until they are ready to use.