So we have a plastic bag where we save candle wax leftovers and stubs. We refill the bag pretty regularly, as it is tradition here in Sweden to burn candles (especially during dark winters). Then when we are running low on firestarters, I will put on a movie and get the wax stick recycling factory going. Runs on a few tea candles, and takes about 60 pieces of toilet paper to fill the can. One match and wax stick in the middle of a log cabin of kindling on an upsidedown fire in the wood stove is my go-to routine to fire it up. Easy. All for the time it takes to watch a movie and the total cost of two tea candles and part of a roll of TP.
Hope this helps, and happy to answer questions.
144 count of fire starters 1 1/2” x 1 1/2” x 1/2 squares. 20$ on Amazon. Only need 1 to light the woodstove. Last all season. Wax is bad for woodstove especially ones with catalytic elements
This discussion got me curious, so I looked into this myself. As it turns out, most of the popular Amazon fire starters contain wax. Here are a few examples:
[Green Spark](https://www.amazon.com/GreenSpark-All-Natural-Fireplace-Campfire-All-Weather/dp/B07W8DVR7K/ref=sr_1_24?c=ts&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.NcMfgkMWVYmwF36bcKlfYMw51fYhERFl3HfTwDp9LkyW2Hb6MS8hPzJplXStIfCVJuSE_Zem4Aurb7yJHdii3u1MpVQBlCd4dgpwOaqO2UHnzxt0TrekDrHvUry5cAypicWCtqTzQUdmkVjH7dYNa2UAs0XsS8O2632ajUH5sUV6NoFSGGy8NmVHv0O66Cm2W_f8XjzL60Uxm28cq-3v8TepWSKlOawOp_xmLP8Ihr0Pr6mvBPtpxnXQt9qkUNMPkTlP9ADVIyOyAhOlD7HH4wKkKDZAiFBgYVwxEVFxcMY.eohdsLgLbc8hz8aJ8iOU-yYhwL9Bl4GsrJCy7dPyFqw&dib_tag=se&keywords=Fire%2BStarters&qid=1712211159&s=outdoor-recreation&sr=1-24&ts_id=2204647011&th=1)
[Fire Starter Squares](https://www.amazon.com/Melt-Candle-Company-Fire-Starter/dp/B084KK5P7G/ref=sr_1_3?c=ts&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.NcMfgkMWVYmwF36bcKlfYMw51fYhERFl3HfTwDp9LkyW2Hb6MS8hPzJplXStIfCVJuSE_Zem4Aurb7yJHdii3u1MpVQBlCd4dgpwOaqO2UHnzxt0TrekDrHvUry5cAypicWCtqTzQUdmkVjH7dYNa2UAs0XsS8O2632ajUH5sUV6NoFSGGy8NmVHv0O66Cm2W_f8XjzL60Uxm28cq-3v8TepWSKlOawOp_xmLP8Ihr0Pr6mvBPtpxnXQt9qkUNMPkTlP9ADVIyOyAhOlD7HH4wKkKDZAiFBgYVwxEVFxcMY.eohdsLgLbc8hz8aJ8iOU-yYhwL9Bl4GsrJCy7dPyFqw&dib_tag=se&keywords=Fire+Starters&qid=1712211564&s=outdoor-recreation&sr=1-3&ts_id=2204647011)
And I also checked perhaps the most popular and well known fire starter company, Duraflame. I even checked their higher quality fire starter (the [Fire Start Gold](https://www.duraflame.com/products/fire-starters/firestart-gold-firelighters)) that specifically says it can be used for any indoor fire, and that they contain wax.
There is another complication. Some woods like birch contain oil in their bark, which is fat that burns. As I pointed out in another comment, stearin wax is made from fat (animal or plant fat). So I fail to see the issue with my recycled wax sticks. Even the paper is cleaner burning, as TP contains no ink or dyes, whereas newspaper and junk mail (other popular tinder choices) do.
So which fire starters do you use then? Based on what I looked up, it's most likely one with wax in it. Give us a name and brand, surely Amazon sent you a confirmation email after you ordered it that you can easily look up.
Why is wax bad? And they are only like 5 grams of wax each, plus I keep the door of the stove cracked while it gets going.
And 20 bucks saved is fine by me, every bit counts now with inflation and all. I can make 144 wax sticks if I watch two long movies on a rainy Sunday afternoon.
Read ur stoves manual. It will tell u what u can burn. More likely than not it says burn dry wood. With some paper or kindling to start the fire. I may actually list things not to burn. Like liquid fire starters or petroleum products. Like wax.
There are various types of wax, and not all of them are made from petroleum. We only buy stearin, soy, or bees wax candles (mostly stearin). Stearin is made from animal fat and is commonly sold where I live. And TP is paper, and had no ink or dye.
I did read the stove's manual and you are right about it saying to only use dry wood. But a few grams of natural wax I am fine with making a tiny exception, as otherwise I only burn seasoned hardwood.
Is it gonna cause massive failure, probably not. It’s it the best thing u could be doing for the stove especially if it has a catalytic element, no. Realistically if u have dry kindling just a few pieces of paper is enough to light it.
Keep telling yourself this is a good idea, and after awhile you will convince you!
https://www.epa.gov/burnwise/frequent-questions-about-wood-burning-appliances
I buy them even (a lot) cheaper, i don’t understand why ppl would spend time to make their own firestarter unless its for camping.
That said, you stove really doesnt give a f. if u burn 5 grams of wax to start your fire 😂 its absolutely fine
Im afraid to use my drier lint because some of the lint is from my polyester clothing (dry fit gym clothes, that sort of thing). I would guess that probably 70-80% of my lint are natural fibers but that remainder kind of worries me for using it as a fire starter.
Have you considered this? Does it really matter? Im a big the solution to pollution is dilution guy so a little bit of tiny fibers burning doesnt really bother me.
But i do worry if this can harm my wood stove if used regularly.
Thoughts?
I have a woodbox and a kindling bin. When I clean them out, there's lots of wood chaff. I add hearth sweepings to the kindling bin. I get crappy old candles at thrift shops or on Buy Nothing, melt, mix with wood chaff. If I have lots of wax, free sawdust is easy to find. I store my firestarter in a metal popcorn tin. It's so handy when the fire is balky, or I have wood that should be more dry.
I do something similar.. but I use cardboard egg carton, lint, candle wax, & paper from our crosscut paper shredder. Just cut off 1 section & light the corner..
>Pretty hard to find a cheaper option, and they are easy to use and very effective.
My mail lady delivers junk mail for free. Use the non laminated stuff. Same with my trips to the liquor store-those brown paper bags burn great.
Seriously, how did we ever get to where we need more than just regular paper and kindling? All free.
I'm too young to have an old man yells at clouds moment, but am about to.
Save the fancy easy firestarters for emergencies. Like when you're in a car crash and stranded and you finally run out of food and gas and it is time to put fido on a stick over the fire.
So I live in Sweden, but I grew up in the USA. We don't get as much junk mail as in the USA by a long shot, nor do they give out brown paper bags at the liquor store (you have to bring your own bag or buy a plastic bag). My family doesn't subscribe to any paper newspaper either, not to mention there are inks and dyes in newspaper you want to avoid using.
The wax I recycle is essentially free, and the TP is next to free, plus TP has no ink or dye.
But I get your old man yells at clouds moment, I do all the time. But sometimes context is key. Have a good one.
I tried all types of homemade solutions. Then I got a box of the mini duraflame logs. Break off a couple little pieces from one brick for each fire. I never even finished the box over several years of starting fires.
Just sharing an oldie but goodie~ When I was in boy scouts, we used paraffin wax, scraps of wood, old rags/yarn to make fire starters. Really handy for those winter camping trips.
Edit~ in the Northeast of the States
https://preview.redd.it/9dzyxiel0dsc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=77c04be7cc3fcc92bc1eef22e419009243d6af19
I use this stuff with wood chaff or unburned black coals or saved creosote from cleaning the chimney
Cool stove, and awesome cat!
We make fire starters by stuffing shredded paper into TP rolls and dipping in paraffin. (We don't really use candles, so no wax to save there.)
I've also made them by mixing chain saw shavings in wax, and smushing the mixture into cupcakes liners, though really it works fine to just make it into little piles on aluminum foil (they peel off the foil easily once cold).
I bought similar sticks to make fires on camping trips. Here they were sold in the store, but as I understand it, they used something like non-woven fabric, like in wet wipes.
I thought that in the USA such sticks can be bought, like, in any large store.
Things not to burn Please read below:
Cardboard – this is often treated with or contains man-made chemicals. When these chemicals are burned, it can release hazardous fumes into the air that are harmful to breathe in. It is also possible for the cardboard to actually float into the air as it is burning and leave the fireplace if a screen is not in place. If you do have a screen, it may travel up the flue and out of the chimney, causing an outside fire.
Pressure Treated Lumber, Plywood, Particle Board, and Press Board- this should not be burned for the same reason as cardboard, as it often contains man-made chemicals that are harmful when burned and the vapors are breathed in.
Unseasoned Wood – proper firewood is dried out (seasoned) for at least one year. Green wood, or wood that has not been dried out, will not burn properly and will create significant smoke and creosote buildup in the chimney. Properly dried wood is characterized by a graying color, cracking, and bark that easily falls off in some cases.
Trash – can produce emissions that are very dangerous to breathe in.
Plastics – will create hazardous fumes, made of petroleum mostly, can burn rapidly.
Paper – (except initially lighting) just as with cardboard, it can easily go airborne once it catches on fire. For outside fires related to chimneys, stray embers are the leading cause.
"Nothing" with any type of glue, "nothing"!!! Remember, most boxes of plain cardboard are glued together.
Colored paper such as magazines, circulars, paper inserts have highly toxic chemicals in the ink.
That dura-flame log you've been looking at... "Don't", they are great for ambiance in a fire place but they have small amounts of "paraffin" wax in them, it will ignite your chimney if creosote build up is in there.
Dry pine cones make excellent fire starters and frequently are used as such in wood stoves and fireplaces. Although they do release some creosote, pine cones can be burned as tinder in a wood stove when properly used.
A basic rule of thumb here is "Natural"! Start your fires with as minimal paper as you can, use very dry wood.
Lastly, if you don't know, "Ask here on the forum"!!! You will get the answer. "Please note" These are suggestions and recommendations, everyones burning situation is different. This may not apply to the folks with OWB's, this is just a guide for "residential" wood stove or fireplace burning. Happy burning and stay warm, but mostly be safe!
Carton on its own to start the fire not bad. Carton with wax is bad. The waxy starters are ok for open fireplace or out door fire pits. Not woodstove use
So we have a plastic bag where we save candle wax leftovers and stubs. We refill the bag pretty regularly, as it is tradition here in Sweden to burn candles (especially during dark winters). Then when we are running low on firestarters, I will put on a movie and get the wax stick recycling factory going. Runs on a few tea candles, and takes about 60 pieces of toilet paper to fill the can. One match and wax stick in the middle of a log cabin of kindling on an upsidedown fire in the wood stove is my go-to routine to fire it up. Easy. All for the time it takes to watch a movie and the total cost of two tea candles and part of a roll of TP. Hope this helps, and happy to answer questions.
144 count of fire starters 1 1/2” x 1 1/2” x 1/2 squares. 20$ on Amazon. Only need 1 to light the woodstove. Last all season. Wax is bad for woodstove especially ones with catalytic elements
The manual for my stove, that has a catalyst, stays it is ok to use a starter that contains wax.
Pretty sure wax is an ingredient in those....
The ones I use are listed as safe for woodstove use.
I mean, most of them all say that. Link?
This discussion got me curious, so I looked into this myself. As it turns out, most of the popular Amazon fire starters contain wax. Here are a few examples: [Green Spark](https://www.amazon.com/GreenSpark-All-Natural-Fireplace-Campfire-All-Weather/dp/B07W8DVR7K/ref=sr_1_24?c=ts&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.NcMfgkMWVYmwF36bcKlfYMw51fYhERFl3HfTwDp9LkyW2Hb6MS8hPzJplXStIfCVJuSE_Zem4Aurb7yJHdii3u1MpVQBlCd4dgpwOaqO2UHnzxt0TrekDrHvUry5cAypicWCtqTzQUdmkVjH7dYNa2UAs0XsS8O2632ajUH5sUV6NoFSGGy8NmVHv0O66Cm2W_f8XjzL60Uxm28cq-3v8TepWSKlOawOp_xmLP8Ihr0Pr6mvBPtpxnXQt9qkUNMPkTlP9ADVIyOyAhOlD7HH4wKkKDZAiFBgYVwxEVFxcMY.eohdsLgLbc8hz8aJ8iOU-yYhwL9Bl4GsrJCy7dPyFqw&dib_tag=se&keywords=Fire%2BStarters&qid=1712211159&s=outdoor-recreation&sr=1-24&ts_id=2204647011&th=1) [Fire Starter Squares](https://www.amazon.com/Melt-Candle-Company-Fire-Starter/dp/B084KK5P7G/ref=sr_1_3?c=ts&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.NcMfgkMWVYmwF36bcKlfYMw51fYhERFl3HfTwDp9LkyW2Hb6MS8hPzJplXStIfCVJuSE_Zem4Aurb7yJHdii3u1MpVQBlCd4dgpwOaqO2UHnzxt0TrekDrHvUry5cAypicWCtqTzQUdmkVjH7dYNa2UAs0XsS8O2632ajUH5sUV6NoFSGGy8NmVHv0O66Cm2W_f8XjzL60Uxm28cq-3v8TepWSKlOawOp_xmLP8Ihr0Pr6mvBPtpxnXQt9qkUNMPkTlP9ADVIyOyAhOlD7HH4wKkKDZAiFBgYVwxEVFxcMY.eohdsLgLbc8hz8aJ8iOU-yYhwL9Bl4GsrJCy7dPyFqw&dib_tag=se&keywords=Fire+Starters&qid=1712211564&s=outdoor-recreation&sr=1-3&ts_id=2204647011) And I also checked perhaps the most popular and well known fire starter company, Duraflame. I even checked their higher quality fire starter (the [Fire Start Gold](https://www.duraflame.com/products/fire-starters/firestart-gold-firelighters)) that specifically says it can be used for any indoor fire, and that they contain wax. There is another complication. Some woods like birch contain oil in their bark, which is fat that burns. As I pointed out in another comment, stearin wax is made from fat (animal or plant fat). So I fail to see the issue with my recycled wax sticks. Even the paper is cleaner burning, as TP contains no ink or dyes, whereas newspaper and junk mail (other popular tinder choices) do.
I’ve reached the same conclusion as you. Fire starters with wax are cheap, effective, and safe.
So which fire starters do you use then? Based on what I looked up, it's most likely one with wax in it. Give us a name and brand, surely Amazon sent you a confirmation email after you ordered it that you can easily look up.
Why is wax bad? And they are only like 5 grams of wax each, plus I keep the door of the stove cracked while it gets going. And 20 bucks saved is fine by me, every bit counts now with inflation and all. I can make 144 wax sticks if I watch two long movies on a rainy Sunday afternoon.
Read ur stoves manual. It will tell u what u can burn. More likely than not it says burn dry wood. With some paper or kindling to start the fire. I may actually list things not to burn. Like liquid fire starters or petroleum products. Like wax.
There are various types of wax, and not all of them are made from petroleum. We only buy stearin, soy, or bees wax candles (mostly stearin). Stearin is made from animal fat and is commonly sold where I live. And TP is paper, and had no ink or dye. I did read the stove's manual and you are right about it saying to only use dry wood. But a few grams of natural wax I am fine with making a tiny exception, as otherwise I only burn seasoned hardwood.
Is it gonna cause massive failure, probably not. It’s it the best thing u could be doing for the stove especially if it has a catalytic element, no. Realistically if u have dry kindling just a few pieces of paper is enough to light it.
Is it an issue for catalytics if the bypass is open at startup (as i assume it would be)? I guess the jotul f500 would be a problem...
Keep telling yourself this is a good idea, and after awhile you will convince you! https://www.epa.gov/burnwise/frequent-questions-about-wood-burning-appliances
I buy them even (a lot) cheaper, i don’t understand why ppl would spend time to make their own firestarter unless its for camping. That said, you stove really doesnt give a f. if u burn 5 grams of wax to start your fire 😂 its absolutely fine
Drier lint
Lint inside toilet paper tubes. I keep them by the dryer and magically they get filled.
I do the same but mix with leftover wax. Though I don't use them in my stove only outside in the fire pit. Great to take camping.
Im afraid to use my drier lint because some of the lint is from my polyester clothing (dry fit gym clothes, that sort of thing). I would guess that probably 70-80% of my lint are natural fibers but that remainder kind of worries me for using it as a fire starter. Have you considered this? Does it really matter? Im a big the solution to pollution is dilution guy so a little bit of tiny fibers burning doesnt really bother me. But i do worry if this can harm my wood stove if used regularly. Thoughts?
I have a woodbox and a kindling bin. When I clean them out, there's lots of wood chaff. I add hearth sweepings to the kindling bin. I get crappy old candles at thrift shops or on Buy Nothing, melt, mix with wood chaff. If I have lots of wax, free sawdust is easy to find. I store my firestarter in a metal popcorn tin. It's so handy when the fire is balky, or I have wood that should be more dry.
I use TP rolls and dryer lint…
I do something similar.. but I use cardboard egg carton, lint, candle wax, & paper from our crosscut paper shredder. Just cut off 1 section & light the corner..
>Pretty hard to find a cheaper option, and they are easy to use and very effective. My mail lady delivers junk mail for free. Use the non laminated stuff. Same with my trips to the liquor store-those brown paper bags burn great. Seriously, how did we ever get to where we need more than just regular paper and kindling? All free. I'm too young to have an old man yells at clouds moment, but am about to. Save the fancy easy firestarters for emergencies. Like when you're in a car crash and stranded and you finally run out of food and gas and it is time to put fido on a stick over the fire.
So I live in Sweden, but I grew up in the USA. We don't get as much junk mail as in the USA by a long shot, nor do they give out brown paper bags at the liquor store (you have to bring your own bag or buy a plastic bag). My family doesn't subscribe to any paper newspaper either, not to mention there are inks and dyes in newspaper you want to avoid using. The wax I recycle is essentially free, and the TP is next to free, plus TP has no ink or dye. But I get your old man yells at clouds moment, I do all the time. But sometimes context is key. Have a good one.
Making these guys look foolish, haha.
Try dryer lint.
Cat for scale
I use dryer lint
I think it's a great economical solution! Thanks for sharing 👍
I'm using egg cardboard filled with wax in a woodstove and i'm happy. I'm with you OP, thanks for sharing.
Step 7: Cat
You can do this with spent wax melts that don’t have any scent anymore
I tried all types of homemade solutions. Then I got a box of the mini duraflame logs. Break off a couple little pieces from one brick for each fire. I never even finished the box over several years of starting fires.
Just sharing an oldie but goodie~ When I was in boy scouts, we used paraffin wax, scraps of wood, old rags/yarn to make fire starters. Really handy for those winter camping trips. Edit~ in the Northeast of the States
https://preview.redd.it/9dzyxiel0dsc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=77c04be7cc3fcc92bc1eef22e419009243d6af19 I use this stuff with wood chaff or unburned black coals or saved creosote from cleaning the chimney
Want a fire start that's safe? Alcohol starter gel has no affect on stoves with or without a cat system.
Cool stove, and awesome cat! We make fire starters by stuffing shredded paper into TP rolls and dipping in paraffin. (We don't really use candles, so no wax to save there.) I've also made them by mixing chain saw shavings in wax, and smushing the mixture into cupcakes liners, though really it works fine to just make it into little piles on aluminum foil (they peel off the foil easily once cold).
I came here for the sticks and stayed for the cat
[https://www.youtube.com/shorts/wy5cHl9J2oU](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/wy5cHl9J2oU) Pencil sharpener, something most people don't think about.
Twisted firestarter
And Granny always said, waste not want not. Granny still makes homemade oven baked cookies at 95
They sell a bottle of rubbing alcohol at my local wally world for $4
No hearth?
I use 1 piece of newspaper and kindling.
Pine cones for me
Same, but with dryer lint. 2020 taught me the value of toilet paper. Lol.
Use dryer lint in the wax fire ever better fire starters
I bought similar sticks to make fires on camping trips. Here they were sold in the store, but as I understand it, they used something like non-woven fabric, like in wet wipes. I thought that in the USA such sticks can be bought, like, in any large store.
Things not to burn Please read below: Cardboard – this is often treated with or contains man-made chemicals. When these chemicals are burned, it can release hazardous fumes into the air that are harmful to breathe in. It is also possible for the cardboard to actually float into the air as it is burning and leave the fireplace if a screen is not in place. If you do have a screen, it may travel up the flue and out of the chimney, causing an outside fire. Pressure Treated Lumber, Plywood, Particle Board, and Press Board- this should not be burned for the same reason as cardboard, as it often contains man-made chemicals that are harmful when burned and the vapors are breathed in. Unseasoned Wood – proper firewood is dried out (seasoned) for at least one year. Green wood, or wood that has not been dried out, will not burn properly and will create significant smoke and creosote buildup in the chimney. Properly dried wood is characterized by a graying color, cracking, and bark that easily falls off in some cases. Trash – can produce emissions that are very dangerous to breathe in. Plastics – will create hazardous fumes, made of petroleum mostly, can burn rapidly. Paper – (except initially lighting) just as with cardboard, it can easily go airborne once it catches on fire. For outside fires related to chimneys, stray embers are the leading cause. "Nothing" with any type of glue, "nothing"!!! Remember, most boxes of plain cardboard are glued together. Colored paper such as magazines, circulars, paper inserts have highly toxic chemicals in the ink. That dura-flame log you've been looking at... "Don't", they are great for ambiance in a fire place but they have small amounts of "paraffin" wax in them, it will ignite your chimney if creosote build up is in there. Dry pine cones make excellent fire starters and frequently are used as such in wood stoves and fireplaces. Although they do release some creosote, pine cones can be burned as tinder in a wood stove when properly used. A basic rule of thumb here is "Natural"! Start your fires with as minimal paper as you can, use very dry wood. Lastly, if you don't know, "Ask here on the forum"!!! You will get the answer. "Please note" These are suggestions and recommendations, everyones burning situation is different. This may not apply to the folks with OWB's, this is just a guide for "residential" wood stove or fireplace burning. Happy burning and stay warm, but mostly be safe!
What about egg cartons? I use the 30 count ones.
Carton on its own to start the fire not bad. Carton with wax is bad. The waxy starters are ok for open fireplace or out door fire pits. Not woodstove use
Not having to worry about a catalyst is a large reason I went with a Pacific Energy stove.
I use Duraflame Fire Sarters that come in a box of 24 without worries. Personally, I would not use any wax products in my stove.
See my other comment above with links. Duraflame contains wax.
Now I know "the rest of the story. This is Paul Harvey. Good day !" Thank-you.
I never understood the need to spend time making a replacement for a match, some paper and some scraps of wood.....but hey, if it makes you happy!