Fire Starters Gasoline is dangerous. Twigs can get damp. Dryer lint isn’t exactly what we want to inhale. Let’s focus on a fire starter that’s a little more reliable (and one that comes with less danger of losing your eyebrows). Soy candle wax and used coffee grounds make a foolproof igniter you can use when you have less-than-perfect campfire conditions. It smells great, too. Here’s how: Collect used coffee grounds and spread them out on a cookie sheet. Set in the sun or bake in the oven at 250 degrees; the goal is to get as much moisture out as possible. Dry the coffee filters as well. Scoop dry grounds into an empty egg carton, then tear the filters into small pieces, twist, and place them on the grounds (stick matches in as well if you have them). Melt some wax and pour evenly on each egg cup. Let cool and cut off one individual egg-cup at a time. All you have to do is light the match or filter and watch it burn; place it under a small teepee of twigs and logs to get your campfire going. The buy-it alternative: Look for an eco-friendly fire starter that won’t emit strange odors. Bonus points if they’re packed in a repurposed container, like the used soda bottles from TerraCycle. TerraCycle eco-friendly fire starters, MSRP $5.99, dwellsmart.com