Getting charcoal lit without dousing it in lighter fluid shouldn’t feel like a backyard science experiment. These homemade barbecue fire starters give you a simple way to get briquettes or firewood going with basic materials you probably already have on hand. They’re also handy when kindling is nowhere to be found (which is always when you need it most).
Making your own usually costs less than buying premade fire starters. A 24-count box of commercial fire starters often runs several dollars, while this version uses a cardboard egg carton, sawdust or wood shavings, and about 1 pound of wax, so you can control the fill, reuse leftover wax, and skip lighter fluid altogether.
You only need 2 materials for the basic version: melted paraffin wax and sawdust or wood shavings. The mixture fills the holes of one empty cardboard egg carton, which makes 12 individual starters. Have a heat-safe melting setup and something to cut the carton apart once the wax hardens.
- 🧰 Materials You'll Need
- 🔧 Tools/Equipment
- 🛠️ How to Make Barbecue Fire Starters
- 🎨 Customization Ideas
- 🛠️ How to Use Fire Starters
- 🛡️ Safety Information
- 📦 Storage
- 💸 Estimated Cost
- 🛍️ Need Help Finding Everything?
- ❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Barbecue Fire Starters
- 📌 Love this Barbecue Fire Starters? Pin it!
- 🖨️ Print-Friendly How-To: Barbecue Fire Starters
Materials You’ll Need
- 1 pound paraffin wax, melted
- Sawdust or wood shavings
- 1 empty cardboard egg carton
Tools/Equipment
- Heat-safe container or double boiler for melting wax
- Knife or scissors for cutting the carton into 12 units
How to Make Barbecue Fire Starters
- Melt the paraffin wax.
- Mix the melted wax with sawdust or wood shavings.
- Fill each hole of an empty cardboard egg carton with the wax and sawdust mixture.
- Allow the mixture to harden completely.
- Cut the carton apart into 12 individual units, cardboard and all.
Customization Ideas
- Use old candle wax or wax tarts that have lost their scent instead of paraffin.
- Fill paper Dixie cups with the wax mixture instead of egg carton sections.
- Add a wick to the center of each paper cup before pouring in the melted wax and sawdust mixture. The wick is completely optional.
Paraffin wax can be purchased at the grocery store, where it’s frequently found in the canning aisle or with the spices, or you can order it online.
How to Use Fire Starters
- For a charcoal grill: Place 1 cube in the grill, cover with briquettes, and light. Cook when the coals are gray and red.
- For a fire pit: Place 2 cubes in the fire pit and stack logs above them in a triangular position so oxygen can reach and feed the flames. Light the starters and enjoy the fire.
If you like simple DIY fire-making projects, you might also like these Fire Starters or this Waterproof Fire Starter for camping and emergency kits.
Safety Information
Melt wax carefully and keep the project well away from open flame while you’re making the starters. Once you use them outdoors, place grills and fire pits away from structures, deck rails, and overhanging branches, and never add lighter fluid or other flammable liquids to an established fire. The National Fire Protection Association’s grilling safety guidance also recommends letting coals cool completely before disposal.
Storage
Store the finished starters in a cool, dry place so the cardboard stays firm and the wax doesn’t soften in summer heat. A covered bin, coffee can, or lidded box works well for keeping them together and ready for the next cookout or campfire.
Estimated Cost
Estimated project cost: about $3.50 to $6.00 per 12-count batch when you use purchased paraffin wax and scavenged sawdust or wood shavings. If you reuse leftover candle wax or old wax tarts, the cost drops even more.
🛍️ Need Help Finding Everything?
- Paraffin wax at Walmart
- Paraffin wax on Amazon
- Paper cups for alternate molds on Amazon
- Homemade Fireplace Logs
Frequently Asked Questions about Barbecue Fire Starters
Yes. You don’t have to use paraffin. Old candle wax and wax tarts that have lost their scent work just fine for this project as long as you melt them and mix them with the sawdust or shavings the same way.
No. The cardboard egg carton is the basic method because it gives you 12 easy sections to cut apart, but paper Dixie cups also work. If you use cups, you can add a wick before pouring in the mixture, though it’s optional.
One filled cardboard egg carton makes 12 individual fire starters once you let it harden and cut the sections apart.
Use 1 cube for a charcoal grill. Place it in the grill, cover it with briquettes, and light it. Wait until the coals are gray and red before cooking.
Use 2 cubes in a fire pit. Place the logs above them in a triangular position so air can reach the flame and help the fire catch more easily.
No. Skip the lighter fluid once you’ve lit the starter. If a fire needs help, adjust the fuel so air can move around it instead of adding flammable liquid. That’s a much better plan than explaining your eyebrows later.
Use sawdust or wood shavings. Both absorb the melted wax and help the starter burn long enough to catch charcoal or firewood.
Keep them in a cool, dry place in a covered container so the cardboard stays intact and the wax doesn’t get soft or messy.
Yes. These are a good make-ahead project because they store well when kept dry and out of heat. Make a batch now and keep it with your grilling or campfire supplies.
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Did you try this project? Tell us whether you used an egg carton, paper cups, or leftover candle wax.
