Why pay upwards of $2.50 per fireplace starter in the store? I'll show you how to make your own in just a few simple steps, for next to nothing.

Step 1:

You will need wax. I use these boxes of drippings from an old job making candles. You can use candle stubs, old crayons, etc.

Step 2:

You will also need: newspaper or craft paper, lots of dryer lint ( paper towels, saw dust, shredded paper, etc can also be used, or a combination of all of it, as long as it burns), and a mold. I use an old mini loaf pan. You can also use a muffin tin or whatever else you have.

Step 3:

Step one is to melt your wax. I have a crock pot that is set aside for wax only. DO NOT use anything you will be putting food in later. You can never get all of the wax out. You can also use a double boiler.

Notice how dirty min is (including a couple dead flies). It totally doesn't matter for this. If you are using candle stubs, you can leave the wicks in the wax, same with crayon wrappers.

Step 4:

Next put 2 layers of newspaper into your mold, and stuff it with lint. Stuff it good and tight. You will be amazed how much lint can be compressed into a single mold. The more lint you can stuff in it, the better.

Step 5:

Saturate the lint with wax. after you have poured the wax onto all of them, start over. The lint soaks up a lot of wax so go over them again. It takes me about 2 1/2 cups of wax for four starters.

Step 6:

Let them set up for about 15 minutes.

Step 7:

After about 15 minutes, fold the newspaper over top. Don't worry if it doesn't stay down all the way.

Step 8:

I do mine four at a time in an eight mold tin, I find it's easier to pour that way. As the ones you just did are setting up, you can stuff the next four.

Step 9:

Repeat all the steps for the next four.

Step 10:

After they are completely hard, pop them out of the mold. I sometimes have to pry them out with a knife

Step 11:

Now wrap another piece of newspaper around each one and you are ready to go. Mine burn for about 30-45 minutes. Plenty of time to get the logs going in the fireplace!