Chilly nights just beg for a fire in the fireplace. It's so nice to snuggle up under a favorite blanket in front of a fire and read a good book or enjoy a cup of hot chocolate. But getting the fire lit is a different story.
Even if I buy the good, aged wood, I will inevitably spend half an hour (at least!) stoking the fire. Sure, you can purchase fire starters at the store, but it's much more fun to make your own fire starters at home.
These wax fire starters are very similar to a candle but have combustible items such as dried leaves and pine cones to help get the fire going. I added in some aromatic whole spices and herbs that will fill the house with a lovely smell as the fire burns.
DIY Aromatic Wax Firestarters
My favorite thing about these wax fire starters is that they come together in minutes using materials you already have in your pantry—or can forage for in your backyard—like pine cones, cinnamon sticks and bay leaves. Plus, they smell amazing!
To start, you'll need the following supplies: soy or beeswax, bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, mini pine cones, dried rosemary, cotton wicks, paper muffin liners and a muffin pan.
First fill the paper muffin liners with a mix of bay leaves, cones, spices and herbs. Then nestle a 1 and ½ inch piece of cotton wick into the center of each well.
Melt the wax and pour it into each well, making sure the items are at least partially submerged in the hot wax. (They don't have to be completely covered.)
After allowing the wax to cool completely, remove fire starters from the muffin tin and store them in a tin or jar until ready to use.
To use a fire starter, place it in the bottom of your fireplace between the logs and light the wick.
IMPORTANT: These are only for use in traditional fireplaces. Do not use for gas fireplaces or wood-burning stoves. Can be used outside for campfires. Exercise safety precautions when using.
DIY Aromatic Wax Fire Starters FAQ
Can I use paraffin wax instead of soy wax or beeswax to make fire starters?
I prefer to use a natural wax like soy or beeswax. Paraffin wax, which is a byproduct of the petroleum industry, releases toxins like benzene and toluene into the air when it burns. Because this aromatic fire starter DIY features natural wax, all you're releasing into the air is the lovely scent of your favorite herbs and spices.
Is it OK to burn pine cones in my fireplace?
Yes! That's why I love using pine cones as an easy (and free!) all-natural ingredient in DIYs like this one. You may notice that pine cones smoke a tad bit more than other types of kindling (like twigs). But pine cones make excellent fire starters, especially for igniting larger pieces of wood.
Will wax fire starters leave melted wax behind or make a mess in my fireplace?
In my experience, the fire typically burns hot enough to melt away all of the soy wax or beeswax. No wax residue (or mess) is left behind.
Can I use wax fire starters in a wood-burning stove or gas fireplace?
I've only used these DIY fire starters in a traditional fireplace, but they are not recommended for use in wood-burning stoves or gas fireplaces. If you're unsure about using these (or any other fire starters) in your fireplace, I would recommend contacting the manufacturer of your fireplace for additional safety information. You can also use them outdoors in a campfire or fire pit.
DIY Aromatic Wax Firestarters
Materials
- 4 cups (about 1 pound) soy wax flakes
- 2-3 cups mini pine cones
- 12 bay leaves
- 6 cinnamon sticks broken into pieces
- 2 Tablespoons dried rosemary
- 1 Tablespoon whole dried spices, such as cloves and allspice berries
- Twelve 1 and ½ -inch pieces of cotton wick or string
- Standard 12-cup muffin tin
- 12 paper liners
- Old pan for melting wax
Instructions
- Line a muffin tin with paper liners. Fill each one with 1 bay leaf, 3-4 mini pine cones, a few pieces of broken cinnamon sticks, about ½ teaspoon dried rosemary and a few whole spices.
- Nestle one of the cotton wicks into the center of each well.
- In an old pan over medium heat, melt the wax flakes. Pour an even amount of wax into each well. If needed, gently press the items down so they are mostly submerged in the wax. (They don't need to be completely covered—just enough to hold them together.) Let cool completely.
- Remove the fire starters from the muffin pan. Store in an airtight jar or tin or package individually to give away as gifts.
- To use the fire starter, place in the bottom of a traditional fireplace between the logs. Light the wick.
Pamela says
I loved this idea made a batch for my daughter and son in law who just put a new fireplace into their home. All seemed well until the day following making and letting harder overnight I removed the starters in their paper muffin liners from the tray and was assembling a gift bag to put them in. I noticed a puddle under the firestarters and it appeared they were leaking! I don't know what as I followed the directions and nothing in the materials seemed, well... leakable. My room was about 68 degrees and there was nothing overtly warm in the area they were sitting. Thoughts?
Antonia says
I'm quite sensitive to strong fragrances but I always want my home to smell nice. This actually seems like something I would like. Thank you for sharing!
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rahul rawat says
awesome post and great ,solid idea
thanks for this
thanks a lot
go says
Such a great information ever. THanks for the sharing.
Barb says
Curious to know this answer. Thx.
Jennifer Rubolino says
wonderfull and meaningfull post
Garry says
Cool
PurBi says
You Have Provided Such A Very Good And Beautiful Content. Nice Execution ! I Liked It So Much !
Ann says
Hi, these are very pretty, but just wondering about using these in an indoor wood-burning fireplace. Won't the melted wax drip down on the floor of the fireplace? Just seems like it could be messy.
Dina says
can I us paraffin wax?
Marlene says
I have been doing this for years now, and we have an airtight woodburning stove...I use this for firestarters not for the smell, but will try adding this extra stuff. I use egg containers...put dryer lint in and fill with melted wax. And then put the wick in as they are cooling. But I am going to start putting the extra stuff in you use. The last wood cutting my husband did, I saved a box of shavings, and use that too. No residue in bottom of fireplace. Can't wait to put the extra stuff in. Thanks.
Melissa says
Howa 'bout skipping the candle wick and just filling a pretty bowl/decanter and filling with wax and various scents?
I think that would make a good wax melt.
Thelma says
folks your asking why not a woodburning stove? you do realize she said STOVE not woodburning fireplace!
brooke says
Please read above it say for traditional fireplace. Not for gas fireplaces or wood stoves.
Kathy says
I use pine cones dipped in parrifin now in my fireplace and it leaves no residue so i dont know why you couldnt use it in a wood burning fireplace. i love the idea with the cupcakes too!!!
Lindsey Johnson says
Good to know! Thanks, Kathy!
Erika says
Just curious, why couldn't you use these with a wood-burning stove?
Bet says
Yes, I'd like to know this as well. Doesn't make sense to me.
Melissa Hendricks says
Can I use parrifin wax instead?
sue says
Does this make a waxy mess in the fireplace, though? I like the idea but I'm worried about making a hard to clean mess.
sue says
great idea! but, does this leave a waxy mess in the fireplace? any tips for keeping the fireplace clean if you use these?
Mandy says
I have made pine cone fire starters with melted paraffin wax with no mess left behind. I tried using melted dollar store candles -- not a disaster but not a great idea either. Hopefully the puddles of candle wax will be gone by spring. If not, I have quite the little cleanup chore ahead of me, just to save a few dollars.
danielle says
I love this idea - I bet it smells awesome!