DIY Fire Starters: Using Pinecones

By themselves, pinecones don’t produce enough heat to burn a sustainable fire in a wood stove, but they do make an excellent firestarter. Resin-rich pinecones ignite easily, providing a quick and efficient flame for starting fires. If you want to supercharge their kindling ability, just dip them in melted beeswax or paraffin and let them dry completely before use.

Sourcing Pinecones

From Nature
Pinecones are readily available in wooded areas and are biodegradable. If you are fortunate to live in or near a wooded area, you can gather your own. Once gathered, do not store them fresh out of the yard—baking is required.

Baking Pinecones Before Storage

Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. This will catch any sap that may drip.
Bake the pinecones at 200 degrees for 2 hours.
Baking removes moisture and pests, preventing critters from ending up with your other stored items.
Keep baked pinecones dry to maintain flammability. Store them in a sealed container or a dry space.

Purchase Online
You can also purchase pinecones, but make sure they are unvarnished before you buy.

CAUTION: A varnished pinecone, when ignited, would likely produce thick, toxic smoke due to the burning varnish. Always ensure pinecones are unvarnished and free of any coatings for safe and clean burning. Purchased pinecones do not need to be baked.

Enhancing Pinecones for Better Performance

Dipping pinecones in melted beeswax or paraffin is a simple way to boost their fire-starting potential. The wax acts as a fuel extender, allowing the pinecones to burn longer and hotter, which helps ignite larger logs. To do this safely:

Melt the wax in a double boiler or a heat-safe container over simmering water.
Use tongs to dip each pinecone into the melted wax, ensuring full coverage.
Place the dipped pinecones on wax paper or a foil-lined tray to dry completely.
Once dry, place them in a sealed container to protect them from moisture.

Safety Tips and Storage

Always work in a well-ventilated area when melting wax or paraffin.
Use caution when handling hot wax to avoid burns.
Store the sealed container in a cool, dry place away from open flames or heat sources.

Using Pinecones Effectively

When starting a fire, place a few prepared pinecones at the base of your kindling stack. Light the edges of the pinecones to ignite their resin-rich surfaces. Once they catch fire, they’ll help ignite the surrounding kindling and larger logs efficiently.

Conclusion

DIY pinecone fire starters are an eco-friendly, cost-effective solution for fire starting. Whether you gather them yourself or purchase them unvarnished, enhancing them with wax can make them even more efficient. These fire starters are perfect for both indoor wood stoves and outdoor campfires, offering a natural and reliable way to get your fire going. Why not try gathering and preparing your own pinecones today? This small effort can save money and reduce waste while ensuring you’re ready for your next fire-starting need.