How to Make DIY Fire Starters with Beeswax -

Five small white cups filled with pinecones, cinnamon sticks, dried orange slices, star anise, and sprigs of fresh rosemary, arranged on a light surface for a festive, natural display.

Now that our backyard makeover is complete, we’ve been spending so many evenings outdoors enjoying the crisp air by a warm, glowing fire pit. There’s just something about the smell of wood smoke and the sound of crackling flames that instantly feels like home. With Christmas right around the corner, I’ve been brainstorming meaningful handmade gifts to share with friends and neighbors. These DIY beeswax fire starters are one of my favorite handmade gifts for this season.

They look beautiful, smell incredible and are made with natural ingredients like dried oranges, cinnamon sticks, and pinecones. The best part is that they’re easy to make in large batches—perfect for gifting or for cozy outdoor nights by your own fire pit.

Four small white cups filled with pinecones, dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks, and sprigs of rosemary are arranged on a table next to gold scissors and Christmas-themed cards.

With just a few simple supplies, you can create dozens of these homemade fire starters to use year-round. They’re a wonderful way to use leftover wax, bits of old candles, or even repurpose natural items from around your yard like pinecones or wood chips.

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Why You’ll Love These Fire Starters

BEAUTIFUL – These beeswax fire starters are not just useful—they’re beautiful. Each one looks like a miniature work of art, filled with natural textures and warm Christmas colors. They’re a wonderful way to bring together nature, creativity, and a little holiday magic.
INEXPENSIVE – They’re also a great way to teach kids about frugal ways to use natural materials around the house. Whether it’s pinecones from the yard, leftover wax, or dried herbs from your kitchen, every part can be repurposed into something beautiful and functional.
GIFTABLE – With all the cozy nights ahead, you’ll be so glad you made a batch. The only thing better than the finished product is gifting them to loved ones and watching their faces light up when they open something handmade and heartfelt.

SUPPLIES

A muffin tin sits on a marble surface surrounded by small bowls containing white wax beads, cinnamon sticks, mini pine cones, dried orange slices, star anise, and a sprig of rosemary.

To make your own fire starters, you’ll need:

Other helpful supplies:

Oven mitts
Muffin pan
Measuring cup or candle-making pot
Scissors
Double boiler or microwave
Wick holders
Clear gift bags or ziplock bags
Hole punch
Free printable gift tag (on card stock or paper)
Ribbon or twine (green gingham ribbon Hobby Lobby SKU: 979971)

Shop for supplies

reusing supplies

Fall Simmer Pot

Many of these are the same ingredients used in my Fall Simmer Pot recipe, making it easy to create both cozy home scents and beautiful gifts from similar materials.

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Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Add muffin liners to your pan

Start by placing cupcake liners in each section of a muffin pan. These will hold your melted wax and act as the mold for your fire starters. A 12-cup muffin pan works perfectly for this project.

A person holds white baking cups over a muffin tin, surrounded by bowls of cinnamon sticks, pinecones, dried orange slices, star anise, white wax pellets, rosemary, and wax melts on a light surface.

A hand places a white cupcake liner in a muffin tin. Surrounding the tin are bowls of cinnamon sticks, pine cones, dried orange slices, star anise, wax, rosemary, and wicks, suggesting DIY scented candle making.

Step 2: Add stickers and wicks

Stick a small adhesive candle sticker to the center of each muffin liner, then place a wick on top. Use wick holders to help keep the wicks upright when pouring the wax later.

A hand holding a sheet of round white stickers over a muffin tin lined with baking cups, surrounded by dishes of cinnamon sticks, pinecones, rosemary, and other natural items.

A person peels a round white sticker from a sheet over a muffin tray with paper liners. Nearby are bowls with pine cones, cinnamon sticks, and other natural ingredients.

Step 3: Melt the beeswax

You can use a double boiler, candle-making pot or a glass measuring cut and microwave to melt your beeswax pellets. If using a double boiler, fill the bottom pot with water and place the beeswax in the top pan, allowing it to slowly melt into liquid wax.

For a faster method, place the beeswax in a large measuring cup and melt it in the microwave, stopping every minute to stir and prevent overheating. Mine took about 3–4 minutes total. Use oven mitts or a towel to handle the measuring cup and hot wax carefully. The measuring cup will stay hot for a several minutes.

If you’re using old candles, you can also melt them down to reuse the wax instead of starting from scratch. It’s a great way to repurpose wax and reduce waste.

A hand holds an empty glass measuring cup above a table with rosemary sprigs, a bowl of white wax pellets, a bowl of cinnamon sticks, and a bowl of small pine cones.

A person pours white wax pellets from a cup into a glass measuring jug. In the background are bowls of cinnamon sticks, pine cones, and dried orange slices, with sprigs of rosemary on the table.

Working with Beeswax

When working with beeswax it’s important to remember that beeswax will leave a residue that is difficult to remove. It’s a good idea to use an old measuring cup or buy a new one just for beeswax melting.

Step 4: Pour the wax

Once melted, carefully pour wax into each muffin cup about three-quarters full. The liners should hold enough wax to secure your decorative fillers while still leaving room for the natural elements to show.

A muffin tin holds six paper cups, each with melted wax and a centered wick held upright by wooden sticks. Nearby are a glass measuring cup, cinnamon sticks, pinecones, and dried orange slices.

Step 5: Add natural fillers

While the wax is still liquid, add your favorite fillers such as pinecones, rosemary sprigs, cinnamon sticks, orange peel, cloves or star anise. You can even sprinkle in some dry tinder like wood pellets or birch bark for texture and fragrance. Small sticks or bits of dry kindling also work well.

This is where your fire starter design can really become custom! Each one will look slightly different, creating a unique handcrafted feel.

I found it easiest to start with the largest fillers like the orange peels and pinecones and then added the smaller fillers around.

Hands are assembling natural simmer pots in a muffin tin, filled with rosemary, cinnamon sticks, pinecones, and dried orange slices. Nearby bowls hold extra ingredients, all arranged on a white surface.

Step 6: Let them cool completely

Allow the wax to cool and harden completely before removing the wick holders. The whole thing should be easy to remove from the muffin pan in a round shape once it’s set.

A hand holding a small white bowl filled with pinecones, cinnamon sticks, rosemary sprigs, and dried orange slices above a muffin tin with similar bowls.

Step 7: Wrap and gift

Trim your wicks and package each beeswax fire starter in a clear gift bag or airtight container to preserve the scent. Tie with twine or ribbon, add a printable gift tag and they’re ready to share!

They make such a great gift for neighbors, teachers, or friends who love to gather around a fire pit.

A hand holds scissors, trimming the wick of a homemade candle decorated with pinecones, cinnamon sticks, dried orange slices, and rosemary. Several similar decorated candles are arranged on a light surface.

A sheet of four holiday gift tags with pine tree illustrations and the message May Your Days Be Merry and Bright on a marble surface, surrounded by scissors, ribbon, plastic wrap, and small decorated cups with dried fruit and herbs.

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A festive gift cup filled with pinecones, dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks, and rosemary sprigs, wrapped in clear plastic with a checkered ribbon and a holiday tag that says, May your days be merry and bright.

Always store your wax starters in a cool, dry place, such as an airtight container or ziplock bag, until you’re ready to use or gift them.

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How to Use Fire Starters

To use your homemade fire starters, simply place one under dry kindling or wood in your fire pit or outdoor fireplace. Light the wick, and the combination of beeswax, pinecones, herbs other dried fillers will help the fire catch easily.

They’re also wonderful for camping trips or outdoor gatherings since they’re waterproof fire starters once cooled. The wax coating keeps moisture out, allowing them to burn even if the weather is a bit damp.

Beeswax fire starters are a good idea for anyone who loves spending evenings around a fire. They make starting fires simple, quick and mess-free.

A small cup with dried orange slices, star anise, and a cinnamon stick sits surrounded by weathered wooden planks in natural sunlight.

Several pieces of light-colored firewood stacked in a fire pit, with bright orange flames and light smoke rising from between the logs. The background shows a metal grate beneath the wood.

Important Note

These DIY fire starters are intended for outdoor fires only such as a fire pit, chiminea, or campfire. Avoid using them in indoor fireplaces or wood stoves, as beeswax can accumulate over time and create residue at the bottom of the fireplace.

Tips

Reuse materials: Old candles, leftover wax, or even cardboard egg cartons are all great ways to make your own fire starters.
Add scent naturally: Dried herbs and spices add fragrance without synthetic scents. Rosemary, cinnamon, and cloves smell incredible as they burn.
Make it decorative: Use pinecones from conifer trees and small sprigs of greenery for a rustic holiday look.
Be safe with hot wax: Always use oven mitts and a designated measuring cup for candle projects, since beeswax can be hard to clean.
Great way to repurpose: Toilet paper rolls, wood pellets, or cotton pads can also be used to make your own fire starters if you want to experiment.
For gifting: Pair each with a cute printable tag that reads “May Your Days Be Merry and Bright and Your Nights Warm and Cozy by the Fire.” It’s the perfect finishing touch.
Storage: Keep extras in an airtight container to protect them from dust and humidity. They last a long time and stay ready for use anytime you need a cozy fire.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do fire starters last?
Beeswax fire starters have an excellent shelf life. As long as they’re stored in a cool, dry place, they’ll last for months or even years.

Can I use other types of wax?
Yes! You can make homemade fire starters with old candles or paraffin wax, but beeswax burns cleaner and has a more pleasant scent.

What if I don’t have beeswax pellets?
You can use a block of beeswax and grate it, or melt down old beeswax candles. Either will work just fine.

Can I make fire starters without a muffin pan?
Of course! Cardboard egg cartons or toilet paper rolls make a frugal way to mold your wax starters. Just pour wax into each section and add fillers—it’s a simple, low-waste method.

What makes these a great fire starter?
The combination of wax, natural tinder, and a wick helps the flame catch easily and burn long enough to ignite your larger logs. It’s one of the best ways to start an outdoor fire quickly.

Are these safe for indoor fireplaces?
They’re best for outdoor use. Beeswax can build up in indoor fireplaces or wood stoves over time, so it’s safest to use them outside.

Can I use cotton pads or cotton string?
Yes, cotton pads and string both work well as wicks or fillers for your fire starter design. They help absorb and hold melted wax for easy lighting.

What if I spill wax?
Once beeswax hardens, it can be scraped up and reused. Always protect your work surface with wax paper and work slowly when handling hot wax.

Do I need to use a double boiler?
A double boiler is one of the best ways to safely melt beeswax since it prevents overheating. However, the microwave method works well if you stir and watch carefully.

Can I use different scents or materials?
Absolutely! That’s the best part about making your own fire starters—you can experiment with herbs, dried flowers, or even bits of birch bark for a personalized touch.

If you make these DIY fire starters, I’d love to see how yours turn out! Follow along on social media @returninggrace and tag me or leave a comment with your version of this project. May your days be merry and bright, and your nights warm and cozy by the fire!

salutation with a signature Wishing you grace, Stephanie

Meet Stephanie

Hi, I’m Stephanie—a lifelong creative, homebody at heart, and the hands behind Returning Grace. I believe home should feel like your favorite place, and I’m passionate about helping you create spaces filled with warmth, character, and charm. From simple DIYs and seasonal crafts to cozy recipes and vintage-inspired decor, I share approachable ideas to make your home feel beautifully lived in. I love thrifting, styling old finds in fresh ways, and documenting our home remodeling adventures along the way.
 
I’m honored to have served as the 2024 American Farmhouse Style Brand Ambassador and to share my love for cottage farmhouse living with a community that values creativity, comfort, and meaningful design.

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