DIY Natural Fire Lighters

These natural fire lighters work well because citrus peel and beeswax are flammable while smoldering enough to keep the flame going.

Need:

• orange or lemon peel quarters or halves (any citrus fruit will do)
• small dried twigs, leaves, bark - crumbled up into small bits
• old newspapers / shredded paper - ripped into small bits
• beeswax (about a quarter cup)
• medium pot that can be scrubbed with steel wool
• metal spoon
• rubber gloves
• tray

Directions:

• melt 1/4 cup of beeswax in your pot over low heat
• when wax is fully melted remove from heat and allow to cool to the touch (but not cool enough to go hard again)
• add about 2 handfuls of crushed leaves / twigs / bark
• add about 2 handfuls of ripped up paper
• stir with a metal spoon to coat everything well (if you need to, melt more beeswax in a separate pot and add to the mix)
• put your rubber gloves on and scoop out a handful of mixture and squash down into your citrus skins
• set on a tray allow to cool and set

To use:

Place a citrus peel, stuffed with beeswax and burnable materials, at the bottom of your fire.  Add kindling and wood then set your beeswax peel alight.  It will burn nicely helping to get your fire started naturally.

Clean up:

Working with beeswax is messy and it sets hard.  You'll find your pot and spoon need to be scrubbed clean, along with your rubber gloves.

You can either use an old pair of gloves or wash your gloves with detergent while wearing them, as though you're washing your hands as usual. 

Scrub your pot and spoon with steel wool and dish liquid.  

Love this recipe?  Let me know what you think by leaving a comment below :)

[recipe from my amazing cousin - thanks]