Yard Trash Crafts and reuse

[anthrobabe]

Yes I am from the south and yes we do things with yard trash that most people would throw away....

Pine cone fire starters:
Note- two methods given- the first is my uncles way of doing thema and an alternate dip method

clean and dry pine cones- use large ones not the tiny ones

tuna (or similar sized) cans, empty, clean, leave the bottom on, use pliers to smush rim edge so the rim is a bit out of the way, labels removed

brick parrafin wax

large can or pot (not to be used again for cooking) with a lid (lid to snuff flames if you get it too hot- be careful- Someone reminded me of the lid thing THANKS!)- in fact it's best to do this in the Fall outside using the BB-Q or fire pit-- can do inside but be careful! Make a sort of double boiler- put the melting can into a pan of water- not over direct heat.

cotton string, candle wick string(can be bought online), or other wick type material

sharp knife, pot holders, a metal funnel or dipper is nice but optional

chip or cut off some way and put it in the pot over low heat and begin the melting- watch it so it doesn't catch fire.

take a few inches of string and wrap securely around the bottom or fat end of each pine cone, stick the string under and between the scales as best you can to make good contact and leave a tail about 3 to 4 inches long-- about 10 inches all together should work more or less depending on cone size.

Place the cone fat end down into the can and drape the tail over the edge.

Carefully pour or ladle hot melted wax into the can filling the can almost to the top. allow to sit until cooled and wax hardened. The bottom of the cone and the wick should be submerged- do not submerge the tail it's what you'll light to start the starter.

Carefully invert can and cone and pop the entire thing out- this is why it's a good idea to crimp the rim out of the way so it doesn't catch things up- also a bit of heat can help them slide out- just don't get them too hot.

To use place a fire starter on your fire bed and light the wick and then begin to add small kindling- the wax melts slowly and provides heat and some flame to start the fire and the cone will burn more slowly as well allowing the kindling to start.

Many of the premade fire starters use saw dust and wax to do the same thing- but pine cones crackle and smell woodsy and it's fun to go out with family and traipse around the woods sometimes!

Good luck--- I've mainly used these camping --- my uncles always made them for deer camp and such- but will probably work in a fire place as well.

Good Luck!

ALTERNATE METHOD:

simply tie string around the pine cones and dip into the wax to make a fairly thick layer of wax all over the cone and allow excess to drip off and set them on waxed paper to dry completely and then pile into a basket!

use colored candle stubs to impart color to wax if you wish and / or add essential oil to the wax to scent your fire starters


PS-- if you buy these dipped kind online they can cost 20 dollars (see Eddie Bauer,e t c) !

[beagle]

I'll bet that works really well. When I burn old conifer off-cuts the resin really makes them go.

[Opsa]

I've seen them at Plow and Hearth and thought they were cool, but expensive. Thanks for the instructions!

[anthrobabe]

resin does burn well-- but can really pop and sizzle-- if you add essential oils to the wax the cones smell great and can be just decorations in a basket---
Oh and you can make colored flames using household chemicals _-- like salt- just google colored flames for instructions.

Homemade things are just neat-- they have love in them

[Opsa]

As do you!