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Paraffin Wax Fire Starters Steps

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Household Paraffin Wax
  • 4 oz Paraffin Lamp Oil
  • 80 Cotton Rounds
  • Heat source
  • Double Boiler Setup
  • Forceps or Needle Nose Pliers
  • Wax Paper

Instructions

  • Cut/Chop the wax into small pieces and place them into the inner container. You don’t have to break the wax down very small, but the smaller they are the faster that they will melt.
    Wax chopped up in double boiler
  • Put the double boiler onto the heat and allow the wax to melt. You will want to stir it from time to time and make sure that it is thoroughly melted.
  • Remove the wax container from the double boiler, but leave the heat on and the boiler hot.
    Wax completely melted
  • Add 4 ounces of the paraffin lamp oil to the wax and stir to combine.
    Paraffin oil mixed in
  • Drop a cotton round into the wax and them immediately grab it with the forceps/pliers. Make sure that the entire round is covered in the wax.
    cotton round dipped
  • Allow the excess wax to drip off and back into the wax container. Place the round on a piece of wax paper and allow it to cool/dry.
  • Repeat for all of the rounds. Depending on the air temperature, wind, and other factors, the wax will begin to cool and harden as you work. Once you start to see this happening, stop and put the wax container back in the boiler to heat back up. Stir and continue.
    laid out to dry on wax paper
  • Allow the rounds to cool and dry completely.
  • Examine the disks and look for any exposed cotton. Re-dip these areas. It is crucial that all of the cotton is sealed in wax. You can also do a full re-dip on all of the disks if desired, but it will make them thicker.
    final product
  • Allow to the disks to cool and dry completely and they are done.