Pinecone Firestarter Craft

 

Materials/Tools Needed:

• White Beeswax
• Small to Medium Pinecones (Cleaned & Dry)
• Candle Wick Material
• Wax Melting Equipment
• Wax Paper
• Tongs
• Aluminum Foil
• & Time!

I began by heading out to the back yard and picking up some pine cones that were laying around.  If you don’t have any laying around, you can purchase ones (without fragrance at hobby stores).  Living in the mountains, we have plenty – so no shopping for me!!

Next, make sure you clean your pinecones well (if from outside) and inspect them for critters, etc.

Once you have them all cleaned up, washed & dried completely, you can begin the next steps.  I have a candle maker, and put that in another pot of water to make a double boiler type tool.  If you have a double boiler that isn’t usable for cooking any longer, this would work – or even a small tinfoil pan over another pot.  Whatever works for you, just be sure to have it kind of low and wait until completely melted.  You don’t want it too high, or you’ll burn it.  Using your  temp gauge, be sure to not let it get about 240 degrees F.

Now, while you’re waiting for that to melt, you can start on the rest of the project.  Begin by trimming pieces of the wick material to about 18″ or so, depending on the size of your pinecones.

After you have cut the desired amount that you need for all of the cones you’re using, being by starting at the top, leaving about 1″ of wick, then wrap it down and around the cone tightly.  Be sure to insert the end someone where it’s not sticking out.

When you have them all wrapped and ready to go, you can begin getting ready to dip them.  I used a pair of metal tongs to make it easier and just wrapped them up in aluminum foil to keep them from getting really dirty.  Easy to remove the foil after and then just wash with no problems.

When you have them wrapped and ready, you can dip each pinecone into the wax (after it’s completely melted).

Remove them from the pan after fully covered and lay them on a piece of wax paper to dry.

You’ll probably need to wait for them to dry and then dip them again.  It took me only about 2 times for each to get the coating in the picture above, which is fine.  It’s up to you how much you want.  I’m sure there’s a too much and too little, so be careful.

Once you have them all finished, you can put them in a basket or tin and have them near the fire area to get those sticks a-burning!!  Don’t have them too close, you don’t want a fire in a place it’s not supposed to be.  Hope you like it!  Leave me a comment and let me know what you would do different, or what you would add, etc.  Be sure to tweet, pin, share, etc. – thanks!!

All pictures and text are my own and have not been copied in any way.  I, Jamie Tomkins, own and operate Tiger Strypes Blog located at www.TigerStrypes.com. From time to time you’ll hear about my real life experiences or creations with products and/or services from companies and individuals. Let it be known that I have no affiliation with these said companies, and have not received compensation for reviewing or using their service/product. The information that I give regarding the product/service is based off my own personal experience, I do not guarantee that your experience will be the same.