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The Best Fire Starter Sticks

Last updated on August 10, 2022
Best Fire Starter Sticks

Our Review Process

Don't Waste Your Money is focused on helping you make the best purchasing decision. Our team of experts spends hundreds of hours analyzing, testing, and researching products so you don't have to. Learn more.

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Our Picks For The Top Fire Starter Sticks

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Product Overview
Key Takeaway
 Top Pick

Billy Buckskin Natural Resin Fire Starter Sticks, 10-Pound

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Billy Buckskin

Natural Resin Fire Starter Sticks, 10-Pound

These fire starter sticks can be used in everything from a woodstove to a campfire. You only need two sticks to get your fire going strong, which means this 10-pound box will last a long time. The sticks can also be used in any weather situation, including rain.

Overall Take

Most VersatileEach of these fire starter sticks are responsibly sourced from dead tree stumps in the jungles of Mexico.

 Runner Up

Pine Mountain Green Grill Fire Starter Sticks, 5-Pound

Pine Mountain

Green Grill Fire Starter Sticks, 5-Pound

Whether you're using your indoor fireplace or setting up an outdoor grill, these fire starter sticks are a must-have tool. Each stick is eco-friendly and free of any artificial ingredients. To use the sticks, simply place them criss cross underneath your wood pile and light the ends. That's it!

Overall Take

Easy to UseWhen you opt for these fire starter sticks, you eliminate the need for newspaper or lighter fluid.

 We Also Like

Lightning Nuggets Campfire Fire Starter Sticks, 100-Pack

Lightning Nuggets

Campfire Fire Starter Sticks, 100-Pack

Food-grade quality paraffin wax and raw materials make these fire starter sticks a great choice for safety-conscious consumers. The wood is sourced responsibly from recycled renewable forest by-products, and each small nugget is designed to give maximum results in a compact package. You'll get 100 small firestarters in each set.

Overall Take

Food-Grade WaxThe wax in these fire starter sticks is made from food-grade paraffin wax for an alternative to traditional firestarters.

 Strong Contender

TRULite Wet/Dry Recycled Fire Starter Sticks, 20-Pack

TRULite

Wet/Dry Recycled Fire Starter Sticks, 20-Pack

If you're looking for an eco-friendly set of fire starter sticks, this option is your best bet. The sticks are formulated using recycled natural wood, paper chips and a food-grade wax. Each of the sticks measures 5 inches in length, ignites instantly and burns odor-free.

Overall Take

Most AffordableThese economical fire starter sticks won't blow your budget.

Buying Guide

If you’ve ever tried to start a fire from scratch, you know it can be tough. Even if you can get the wood burning, keeping it burning is an ongoing challenge. You move logs around, add kindling and still, the fire keeps going out.

That’s where fire starter sticks can help. These sticks combine a variety of materials to start a fire much more quickly than wood could alone. The build of each type of fire starter varies, but if you’re looking for the most natural option, you’ll probably want to start with those that are partly made from wood. Here are some of the most popular fire starter combinations:

  • Resin: Trees secrete a natural substance called resin that is highly flammable. That makes it great as natural fuel, but it’s also combined with wood to create fire starter sticks.
  • Wax and biomass fibers: Candles use wax, but by combining wax with biomass fibers, some manufacturers create a fire starter that lights quickly and burns for about a half an hour.
  • Charcoal: If you’ve used an outdoor grill, you’re probably familiar with the benefits of charcoal as a flame source. The problem with charcoal is that it can be noxious, so it’s not the best option as you’re sitting around a campfire.

What to Look For

  • The problem with fire starters is that you’re typically sitting nearby while they’re burning. So it’s important to pay close attention to the fumes that will be emitted from them.
  • Sustainability is a priority for many consumers. Luckily, many manufacturers are well aware of this and have put measures in place to ensure their fire starters are sourced responsibly. Many fire starters are extracted from discarded trees or discarded parts of trees.
  • Chemicals can be an issue with fire starters. Look to make sure the product you’re buying is made from natural materials.
  • Odors can be a problem when you’re trying to enjoy time around the campfire. Some fire starters are designed to be odor-free, while others emit a more pleasant scent. Pay attention to this before making a purchase.
  • Resin can tend to start a fire quicker than starters that rely on wax mixes. But wax mixes can burn a while. Look not only at how quickly your fire starter takes to light, but also how long that fire will burn once it’s started.
  • Some fire starters are more compact than others. This smaller size will make it easier to store, particularly if you’re buying in bulk. Make sure you have enough room to store the fire starters you purchase.

More to Explore

A campfire can easily lead to a dangerous situation. In fact, 84% of wildfires are caused by humans, either through deliberate action or human error. Most fires are caused by burning debris, but arson is a close second. Campfires and children playing with fireworks cause 5% of all wildfires.

To prevent wildfires, never let children play with matches unsupervised. If you have a campfire, make sure you keep an eye on it at all times. When you’re finished, don’t just let the fire go out on its own if you aren’t going to watch it. Instead, douse the fire with water, mix the ashes and embers with soil, removing all ashes and embers from logs and feel everything to make sure it’s cool to the touch before you walk away.

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