I experimented with making firestarter today.

 

First, I filled the cups of a cardboard egg carton with dryer lint, scraps of paper, and wood debris from the bottom of my firewood box.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then I carved some blobs of pitch from a pine tree out in the yard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I boiled the pitch over low heat and poured it over the lint in the egg carton and let it cool.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It hardened into a dry, brittle mass. To my surprise, once cooled it wasn’t at all sticky or tacky. It was easy to break off an egg cup, which lit readily and burned long and hot. I am calling this one a success.

 

Caution: pine pitch is higly flammable.  Have a fire extiguisher and water available. Melt pitch outdoors, on a hot plate or over coals. Avoid open flame. Stir frequently and remove from heat if it starts to smoke.

Hot pitch will adhere to you and cause burns. Avoid direct contact and wear eye protection and leather gloves.