The other day I read an Instagram caption from a very outdoorsy girl. The caption was about how she sometimes feels like an imposter among a sea of bonafide outdoors people.

She described how she “couldn’t build a fire to save her life” while the people around her seemed to have their fire craft dialed in.

Her story made me wonder, “how many other women and men feel or have felt this way at some point in his/her outdoor experience?”

I won’t hide it, I’ve thrown lighter fluid on the fire when no one was looking. Who am I kidding, I’ve even done that when people are looking! (tsk tsk)

My point is, nobody just wakes up one day knowing how to be outdoorsy. It takes time and practice to develop skills like fire building.

With that being said, I know a few hacks that might help next time you set out to make a fire, rain or shine!

These four fire starter “hacks” are simple, inexpensive, practical, and tested (by yours truly)! They are not fancy or cute or scented or crafty…I’m not a crafty lady.

Side note: There are some seriously cute fire starters on Pinterest if that’s what you’re looking for.

Having said that, if you’re going out on a camping trip this summer or having friends over for a campfire, hide some of these fire starters in your pocket or pack, sneak one under the kindling, and light that bad boy with just one match!

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My Top 4 (Homemade) Fire Starters:

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#1 Magic Matches

Burn Time: 4 min 32 sec

Difficulty Level: Super Easy

These matches are the bomb dot com especially when it’s raining or windy because they don’t blow out like a normal match would.

All you need:

• Toilet paper
• Matches (make sure they are strike anywhere if you won’t be bringing the match box with)
• Wax (soy, bees, paraffin, old candles – you pick)

Steps:

1. Roll each match in one square of toilet paper and remove any excess.
2. Dip each rolled match in melted wax and set aside to dry.
3. Using your fingernail, gently scratch the wax off the striking tip of each match.
4. Voila! Make only a few or the entire box. Ignite your magic match and place under kindling!

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#2 Fire Balls

Burn Time = 8 min 48 sec

Difficulty Level: Easy but a little messy

Although a little slimy, fire balls are tiny and super easy to plop under some kindling! Plus, they don’t require melted wax!

All you need:

• Cotton balls
• Isopropyl Alcohol
• Petroleum Jelly

Steps:

1. Soak each cotton ball in a small bowl of isopropyl alcohol and squeeze out the excess.
2. Scoop out a spoon full of petroleum jelly with one spoon in one hand.
3. Put the soaked cotton ball in an empty spoon in your other hand.
4. Roll the ball between the two spoons until it is covered in petroleum jelly.
5. Repeat with as many cotton balls as you’d like.

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#3 Pyro Pods

Burn Time = 16 min 52 sec

Difficulty Level: Easy

Pyro pods aren’t as compact as the previous two but they burn for a LONG TIME! For that reason, I love these!

All you need:

• Paper egg cartons
• Wax (soy, bees, paraffin, old candles – you pick)
• Dryer lint
• Birch bark

Steps:

1. Cut the lid off of your egg carton (unless you plan to make and travel with an entire carton of pods).
2. Fill as many cups as you like with dryer lint and birch bark – the more the merrier.
3. Pour each cup full of melted wax and let dry.
4. Cut your carton into individual pods and put in a baggie for transport or bring the entire carton and cut up on site.

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#4 Tootsie Rolls

Burn Time = 26 min 14 sec

Difficulty Level: Moderate…it’s hard to avoid getting wax where you don’t want it

This is the MAC DADDY of all fire starters simply because it burns forever! I clocked mine at 26 minutes before it started to die down!

All you need:

• Empty toilet paper roll
• Dryer lint
• Wax (soy, bees, paraffin, old candles – you pick)
• Wax paper
• Twine or string

Steps:

1. Fill your toilet paper roll with dryer lint
2. Carefully pour melted wax into the roll, soaking the lint and cardboard from each end.
3. Once dry, wrap the roll in wax paper and twist the ends closed like a Tootsie Roll, tying with twine or string.

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Bonus Starter: Birch Bark

Forgive me if you already know this but, just in case, I thought I’d mention that birch bark is an excellent natural fire starter!

Next time you’re going to make a fire, spend a few minutes foraging for down birch trees!

It’s nice to tuck some away too! You never know when you’ll need it. If you ever see me out and about you can bet there’s one of two things in my pocket: 1. birchbark or 2. bird food.

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Pro Tip: Altoid Box

For a sneaky and practical storage solution, dig up an Altoid box! It will fit your magic matches and fire balls perfectly.

It’s especially nice for the fire balls since they can get a little messy.

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Tips on Making These at Home

• For magic matches, pyro pods, and tootsie rolls melt your wax in a glass container (whatever you can find at home) in a pot of boiling water.
• You can do this on your stove top or over a campfire. I don’t have a stove in my cabin so I chose campfire!
• The wax I use is paraffin wax from Walmart.

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• Use a pair of pliers, tongs, tweezers, or Leatherman when dipping your magic matches! I don’t want any burnt fingers please!

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• We wrap the tootsie roll in wax paper to avoid the wax inside getting in your backpack or pocket. Although the paper burns, you’ll have an easier time lighting your tootsie roll if you peel back the wax paper to expose the contents.

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There you have it – my top four fire starters!

If you were in the camp of “I couldn’t make a fire to save my life” before reading this post, now you’re in the camp of “I can make a fire with just one match”!

If you have ANY questions about making these at home feel free to message me (the fastest way is through Instagram)! I love the topic of fire craft and I’m here to encourage and support you if you’re learning (or have something to teach me)!

Happy Trails,