Is Wax Paper A Good Fire Starter?

What is Wax Paper?

Wax paper, also known as waxed paper or paraffin paper, is a type of paper that has been coated with a thin layer of wax on both sides (Merriam-Webster). The wax coating makes the paper moisture-proof and non-stick. Wax paper is commonly made from regular paper that is passed through melted paraffin wax and then pressed between rollers to distribute the wax evenly on both sides of the paper (USDA).

The main uses of wax paper include wrapping foods, lining baking pans, separating items that may stick together, and decorative crafts. It can be used to wrap sandwiches, cover bowls, line cake pans, separate hamburger patties, and more. The wax coating prevents moisture from getting in and helps prevent food from sticking. Wax paper is commonly found in kitchens and used for food storage, preparation, and cooking.

Overall, wax paper is a versatile paper product coated with wax to make it non-stick, moisture resistant and useful for a variety of food-related purposes (Wikipedia). Its key benefit is the wax coating that gives it its signature properties.

Properties of Wax Paper

Wax paper is paper that has been coated with a thin layer of paraffin wax. This coating gives wax paper some unique properties compared to regular paper:

• Coated in paraffin wax – The paraffin wax coating makes wax paper moisture resistant and provides a non-stick surface for tasks like covering food or rolling dough (1).
• Moisture resistant – The paraffin coating makes wax paper moisture resistant while still allowing it to breathe, making it good for food storage (2).
• Flammable – Since wax paper is coated in paraffin wax, it is much more flammable than regular paper. The wax coating means wax paper can easily ignite with an open flame (1).

These properties make wax paper useful for many kitchen, crafting, and household tasks. However, the flammable wax coating also means it must be used carefully around high heat and open flames.

Using Wax Paper as a Fire Starter

Wax paper can be an effective fire starter due to its material properties. The primary ingredient in wax paper is paraffin wax, which is highly flammable and has a low ignition point https://outdoors.stackexchange.com/questions/1733/wax-paper-as-a-fire-starter. The waxed surface of the paper catches flame easily when exposed to a spark or heat source.

Additionally, the paper’s thin and flexible structure allows it to be folded into different configurations like kindling. Bundles of wax paper strips or balls of crumpled wax paper can help ignite and spread flames http://www.treksw.com/best-diy-firestarters/. The wax helps sustain the fire while the paper base provides fuel for combustion. This makes wax paper an inexpensive and readily available fire starting aide, especially when compared to commercial products.

Advantages vs Traditional Fire Starters

Wax paper has some advantages compared to more traditional fire starting materials like dryer lint, wood shavings, or commercial fire starter bricks. Some of the main advantages of using wax paper are:

Wax paper is inexpensive – A roll of wax paper can be purchased very cheaply from any grocery store, often for around $1-2. This makes it a budget-friendly option compared to buying commercial fire starters which can cost $5 or more.

Often readily available – Most households will already have a roll of wax paper in their kitchen that they use for food storage and prep. This makes it easy to grab and use for fire starting without having to buy anything new.

Burns slowly like good kindling – The paraffin wax coating on wax paper helps it burn slowly and evenly, similar to how good kindling or tinder should burn. This gives you time to build the rest of your fire. According to outdoors.stackexchange.com, wax paper “burns amazingly well”.

Disadvantages vs Traditional Fire Starters

While wax paper can be used to help start a fire in a pinch, it has some disadvantages compared to more traditional commercial fire starters:

Wax paper is generally not as effective at catching and sustaining a flame as purpose-built fire starter products like petroleum jelly-infused cotton balls, tinder cubes, or stormproof matches. The wax and paper materials don’t fully ignite and the flame can be more difficult to maintain (1).

Wax paper still requires an external ignition source like a match or spark to initially light. So it doesn’t fully replace having a separate fire-starting device. Traditional tinder like dry grass, bark, or wood shavings may be easier to ignite if you don’t have matches or a sparking device (2).

Overall, while wax paper can work in a pinch, dedicated fire starter products are usually more reliable, effective, compact, and easier to ignite.

Best Practices for Using

When using wax paper as a fire starter, there are some best practices you’ll want to follow to ensure success:

Crumple or roll the wax paper into loose balls rather than leaving it flat. This increases the surface area and allows more oxygen to reach the wax paper, creating a better flame. As noted in this article from http://www.treksw.com/best-diy-firestarters/, you can “Tear off a piece of wax paper and lay it flat. Sprinkle some corn chips on top, then roll the corn chips into the wax paper. Twist the ends of the bundle closed.”

Combine the wax paper with other tinder materials like dryer lint, sawdust or shredded paper to help it catch flame quicker. The wax coating will help these materials ignite faster than they would on their own. You can make custom fire starter bundles by wrapping wax paper around other tinder sources.

Keep your wax paper tinder dry and protected from moisture. The wax coating repels water fairly well, but excess moisture will still impact its effectiveness and flammability. Store any prepared wax paper starters in a sealed bag or container.

Safety Considerations

When using wax paper as a fire starter, it’s important to take proper safety precautions. According to the Outdoors Stack Exchange, you should always have water or a fire extinguisher nearby whenever burning wax paper. The wax can melt and drip, creating a fire hazard if the burning wax paper is left unattended. It’s recommended to stay next to the wax paper as it burns and have a way to quickly extinguish the flames if needed.

Never leave burning wax paper unattended even for a short period of time. The flames can rapidly spread to surrounding combustible materials. Keep the wax paper fire contained and controlled in an appropriate fire pit or other non-flammable surface. Monitor the wax paper as it burns and extinguish completely before leaving the area.

Exercise extreme care when using wax paper as a fire starter, as the melted wax can cause serious burns. Avoid touching the hot wax and supervise children and pets around any open flames. Store unused wax paper safely away from ignition sources. Follow basic fire safety practices to prevent accidents and injuries.

Alternative Household Fire Starters

Using everyday household items as fire starters provides a convenient and affordable option compared to buying commercial fire starters. Here are some common household items that can work well to start a fire:

Dryer lint makes an excellent tinder due to its fine fibers and ability to quickly catch a spark. Collect lint from the lint trap after drying loads of laundry. Avoid lint that contains chemicals from fabric softener sheets. Form the lint into a compact ball or egg carton cup, saturating it with candle wax or petroleum jelly to help it stay lit. The wax or petroleum jelly acts as the fuel source once the lint ignites. Dryer lint fire starters are free and easy to make at home.

Old candles or candle stubs also provide ready-made fire starter material. The wax itself is flammable and the wick serves as an ignition source. Break a large candle into smaller pieces or shave candle shavings off the stubs. Use these wax pieces or shavings in lieu of commercial wax and sawdust fire starters. The candle wax will melt and ignite rather quickly.

Egg cartons filled with lint, sawdust, or other flammable material make convenient fire starter packages. The cups help contain the material while allowing air flow. Simply cut off a row of egg carton cups, fill with your preferred tinder, and light one to start your fire. The cardboard itself will burn once ignited.

When to Use Wax Paper

Wax paper can be a handy fire starter to use in certain situations, such as:

As an emergency starter – If you get caught without your normal fire starters while camping or in a survival situation, wax paper from food packaging or other sources can work in a pinch to help get your fire going.

If no commercial starters are available – If you don’t have access to commercial fire starters like dryer lint, wax wood logs, or other manufactured products, plain wax paper can be an improvised alternative.

With good tinder – Wax paper alone generally doesn’t burn long enough to ignite larger fuel. Use wax paper to ignite good natural tinder like grass, bark, wood shavings, etc. The resulting flame from the tinder can then spread to your main firewood.

Overall, wax paper isn’t necessarily the best option for starting fires. But it can work when you’re in a bind without other resources. Just be sure to use proper fire safety, and avoid burning wax paper unless absolutely needed.

Conclusion

Wax paper can work as a fire starter, but it has some limitations compared to more traditional fire starter options. While wax paper is likely better than using nothing at all, it may not be the most optimal choice for starting a fire in all situations.

One of the main benefits of using wax paper is its availability, as it can readily be found in most homes. However, it burns slower and less steadily compared to commercial fire starter products. Wax paper can also be tricky to use properly. It needs to be tightly folded into a compact bundle to burn effectively. If not prepared correctly, wax paper may fizzle out before igniting the kindling and wood.

For best results, exercise proper caution when using wax paper as a DIY fire starter. Have water or a fire extinguisher on hand. Only use small amounts of wax paper at a time and add kindling immediately once lit. Do not leave a burning fire unattended. While wax paper can work in a pinch, it’s generally advisable to rely on purpose-made fire starter products for better performance and safety.