Nothing’s worse than getting drenched in a heavy downpour when even matches won’t burn. Your teeth are chattering and matches are running low — one more “strikeout” and you’re heading home. Making a stash of reliable fire starters will ensure you always have a fire for warmth and cooking. You’ll find many of the items needed for these lying around the house. Egg carton starters Put shredded used waxed paper (save from cookie making) into the bottoms of a cardboard egg carton. Top with sawdust or wood shavings, tamp down and cover with wax. Tote in the carton and cut into individual sections to use. Dipped cones Evergreen forests are loaded with cones which have a lot of firepower without any boosters but I make them even more flammable. Tie a length of candle wick (inexpensive by the roll at craft stores) around each cone. The wick makes for easy dipping and quick lighting. Working with one at a time, dip into melted wax and place on waxed paper to dry. Pop into a zip-lock bag and you’re good to go! Cupcake starters Sit paper muffin cups on a baking sheet. Pack shredded paper, cardboard, or dryer lint into the bottoms of the cups and fill with wood shavings (pencil sharpener discards work great). Tamp down, pour melted wax over top and sprinkle with crushed tree resin before the wax hardens. Store and tote in a lidded container. Fire bars Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Fill with sawdust or wood shavings and tamp down. Pour melted paraffin wax over top in criss-cross fashion. When hardened, drizzle more wax (I use melted crayons) over top. When set, cut into squares. Store in a capped container. Tip for melting wax: Burnt-down candle stubs, old broken crayons or chopped up paraffin wax, or any mix of these will do the trick. Melt it by placing the wax into a tin can and setting it into a pot of boiling water. The water should be about a half inch below the rim of the tin. Take care when handling the hot can. TP crackers Start saving those empty toilet paper rolls! Roll cotton balls in vaseline (or bear or other lard if it’s gone rancid) until saturated. Tuck the greasy balls into the rolls, wrap in wax paper and twist the ends tightly like a party cracker. Light the ends and
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