Pinecone Fire Starters
Materials
Medium-size pinecones
water
Double boiler
Knife
ParaffinOld saucepan or large tin can
newspaper
red or green crayon (optional)
old muffin tin
scissors
candle wicking or heavy cord.
1. select cones that will fit in muffin cups, if cones are still
partially closed, they can be made to open completely by baking them on
a old cookie sheet at 200 degrees for 30 minutes.
2. Put water in bottom of a double boiler and bring to a boil; reduce
heat to a simmer. With a knife grate paraffin into a old sausepan and
set inside the top of double boiler.
3. When the paraffin has melted, dip each pinecone to coat completely.
Remove and cool on paper.
4. melt more paraffin as needed. When all the cones have been dipped,
add red or green crayon to the melted wax to tint.
5. Pour melted paraffin 1/2 inch deep into each of the muffin cups. Cut
wicking or cord into 2 inch lengths. Place one wick in each cup, placing
it to one side with at least an inch extending above the paraffin.
6. Allow paraffin to partially harden, then press a pinecone into each
cup, let harden completely. Run hot water into the sink and dip the
bottom of the muffin pan into it to loosen the starters,
lift each one out.
Use to start a fire in your fire place.