Day 1: Make Fire Starters (15 Minute Prepping Projects)

Welcome to DAY 1 of our 15 Minute Prepping Projects series. Today we are making fire starters!

Every day for the month of September we will celebrate National Preparedness Month by undertaking a small task to help us get more prepared. Do as few or as many days as you want. Jump in at any time. Do them out of order, or more than one in a day. And feel free to share what you are doing!

DAY 1: Make Fire Starters

There are several different commercial fire starters out there (I really like InstaFire) but you can also make your own using inexpensive (or free) household items. I recommend using dryer lint as your base as it is highly flammable, readily available, and FREE! You can then choose what material you would like to use to get a long enough burn time to start a fire (oil or wax are good options).

Here are a few tutorials you can use to complete your project today:

Waterproof Dryer Lint Fire-Starter: This method uses egg cartons, but you could also toilet paper rolls or any other thin cardboard you have on hand. It’s important to cover the lint with cardboard and then seal it with the wax to keep it waterproof. This will burn for about 15 minutes. If you don’t have wax on hand you can always take an old candle and just melt it down (if you’re anything like me you have a cupboard full of these somewhere)

No Wax Dryer Lint Fire Starters: This method is a bit easier, but also a bit messier to use and not waterproof. To make these ones you will add lint and cooking oil to a jar (you can re-use oil from cooking if you save it, or just use clean new oil). When it’s time to use your fire starter you just tear off a piece of lint and ignite it. It should burn long enough to get your fire going.

Share Your Results

Did you complete your project today? Did it take you longer or shorter than 15 minutes? I want to see pictures of your project and hear all about it! Here are some ways you can share:

Instagram: Use #15minuteprep and tag @jodi_foodstoragemadeeasy on any post or story you do featuring your project. You can follow the hashtag to see everyone’s projects and if you tag me I will repost in my stories throughout the day (if your account is public).

Facebook: Comment on the PINNED posts in my Facebook Group (If you are not a member yet I will try to get you added within 24 hours so you can play along). The most recent day should show up at the top and you can scroll to the right to see past days. I will try to share some of these to Facebook stories as well (no names will be used, don’t worry!)

Text me: If you are not already signed up to get the daily challenges via text just text 15minuteprep to 717-788-3663. You can always reply to the daily text with your “report” so I can cheer you on.