Fire baits are an easy way to start a fire quickly and hassle-free, whether it's a fireplace, campfire, or brazier. There are several methods of making fire baits; each includes the use of flammable fire accelerators and melted wax.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Pine cones
Step 1. Place candles in a cupcake pan
Place a tealight in each compartment of a cupcake pan.
- To make removing the bait easier, place a cupcake wrapper in each compartment.
- If the candles have a metal casing, or something else, remove it before placing them in the pan. Leave the wick intact but make sure it is placed straight.
- You can also use old pieces of candles instead of tealights if you wish. Just remember to fill the compartment halfway; do not fill it completely.
Step 2. Melt the wax in the oven
Place the pan in the oven and set the temperature to 150-180 degrees. Leave the candles in the oven until the wax has completely melted.
The exact temperature does not matter, but it should be a medium temperature to allow the wax to melt slowly, completely and safely
Step 3. Move the wicks
Carefully remove the pan from the oven. Use tweezers to grab the wicks and move them to one side of the compartment.
- By moving the wicks you will prevent them from getting lost under the pine cones.
- If you used candle pieces that did not have wick add it now. Use a small piece of string or a small roll of paper.
Step 4. Place a pine cone in each compartment
Slowly push a pinecone into each compartment. The wax should rise all the way around the cone - stop applying pressure before the wax comes out.
The best pine cones are the ones that are already open and their size doesn't make much difference. It is also preferable to remove most of the dirt and dust from the pine cones before using them as bait
Step 5. Let the wax solidify
When the wax has cooled and hardened you should be able to remove the bait from the pan. Peel the wrappers from the wax before using the bait.
Keep baits in sealed plastic containers until ready for use
Method 2 of 5: Corks
Step 1. Place the cork pieces in a mold
Break out some corks and arrange the pieces in a paper cup. Fill the glass only halfway.
- You can break, cut or crush corks - small pieces are more suitable than whole corks.
- Cork is a very dry and absorbent material, therefore it works very well as a fire bait.
- If you don't want to use a paper cup, you can use an ice bucket. Just make sure the mold is quite small and can hold the heat of the melted wax.
Step 2. Add a wick to each mold
Cut a piece of string and place it in each mold, fitting it between the pieces of cork. Arrange the piece of rope in an upright position.
If you don't have a piece of string, you can make a wick by rolling a strip of flammable material, such as paper or cardboard, into a tube
Step 3. Pour some melted wax
Slowly pour enough melted wax into the glass to completely cover the cork. Make sure the wick is partially covered and partially outside.
- Candle wax is suitable for the purpose.
- Be careful when handling melted wax. Liquid wax is hot and can cause burns if it comes in contact with the skin.
Step 4. Let the wax solidify
Let the wax cool completely. Once the wax has cooled you should be able to remove the paper cup.
Keep baits in sealable plastic bags until use
Method 3 of 5: Stuffed Toilet Paper Rolls
Step 1. Close one end of the roll
Press one end of the toilet paper roll to close it and secure it with a couple of staples.
- The paper in the roll should catch fire fairly easily, so you don't need to put a wick into this lure.
- If you don't have a roll of toilet paper, you can use a roll of kitchen paper and cut it into two or three pieces.
Step 2. Stuff the roll with flammable material
Fill the roll with dryer lint or similar material. Fill most of the roll, leaving only 2.5-5 cm of empty space at the top of the roll.
Dryer lint works very well as a fire accelerator because it is dry and lightweight. However, that's not the only option: alternatively you can use sawdust, shavings, bits of paper or cork
Step 3. Pour some melted wax into the card
Slowly pour some melted wax into the roll, just enough to cover the contents inside.
It may be easier and safer if you lay the roll between two concrete blocks, or something else heavy and non-flammable, until you pour the wax. Do not hold the roll in your hand
Step 4. Let the wax solidify
Keep the rolls straight for about 30 minutes, or until the wax has completely cooled and solidified.
You should be able to determine if the wax is ready simply by looking inside the roll. The wax should appear completely solid. You can gently squeeze the sides of the card to make sure. They should be cold and solid
Step 5. Close the other end with staples
Squeeze the other end of the roll up to close the sides and secure them with a couple of staples.
Step 6. Consider soaking the finished product in paraffin
The bait should work fine as it is but if you want the card to burn for longer, soak it in some paraffin for 30 seconds.
Remove the bait from the paraffin and let it dry
Step 7. Store in an airtight container
Store the rolls in an airtight container until use.
Method 4 of 5: Cotton
Step 1. Dip cotton balls into petroleum jelly
Rub a cotton ball in some petroleum jelly. Use your fingers to distribute the gelatin into the cotton fibers, completely coating the wad.
You can use a makeup cotton pad instead of a cotton ball if you prefer. Both options are suitable for the purpose
Step 2. Alternatively, dip the cotton in melted wax
Grab the cotton ball with a pair of tweezers and slowly dip it into a tub of melted wax.
- Be careful not to accidentally burn yourself with the wax.
- Cover most of the wad, leaving only a small area uncovered.
- Place the swab on a wax sheet and let the wax cool and solidify.
Step 3. Store baits in a sealed bag or container
Place the cotton balls in a plastic bag or plastic container until ready to use.
Make sure that no moisture gets into the container
Method 5 of 5: Tea Bags
Step 1. Place the tea bags in a pan
Arrange the tea bags evenly on the bottom of a baking sheet or similar container.
- This is a great way to recycle used tea bags.
- If you are using tea leaves instead of sachets, place the leaves in the bottom of a paper cup, ice bucket, or similar mold.
Step 2. Pour some melted wax over it
Carefully pour a little melted wax over the sachets, just enough to cover the sachets or tea leaves.
Alternatively, you can pour in paraffin instead of melted wax if you wish. Both options are suitable for the purpose
Step 3. Let the sachets absorb the wax
Leave the tea bags or tea leaves at the bottom of the pan until the wax is absorbed.
This means that the wax will cool and solidify. When ready, the sachets will be hard and cold
Step 4. Keep them until use
Store baits in sealable plastic bags or containers, making sure no moisture gets in.
Advice
- Melt the candle wax using a double boiler. Place the candles in the top of the pot and heat about 2 inches of water in the bottom over a low heat. Slowly melt the wax using the steam from the bottom of the pot.
- Always store your fire baits away from moisture in airtight bags or containers.
