The FireCube - 3D Printed Firestarter!

Start a fire in any conditions - my tests have shown more than 10 minutes of burn time, even in the rain!

The FireCube uses just dryer lint and candle wax to make a long-lasting and safe firestarter. 

The cube is designed with slits to allow for airflow to keep the flame burning, and the wax will release from the centre circle to maintain a steady and resilient flame. 

I also designed a water-resistant screw-top container for 4 FireCubes, that can fit matches, small lighters and matchbooks within. 

Printing Instructions:

Note: ONLY PLA CAN BE USED, do not use PETG or ABS (or other filament types). PLA has been shown to burn with minimal air quality impacts, and leave no residue. 

Print:

• 4X (or more) FireCube.stl
• 1X Containerbody.stl
• 1X Containerlid.stl

My tests worked very well with 0.2mm layer height and 15% infill, though other layer heights and infill would likely work fine. 

Assembly Instructions:

1. Fill the outside of each cube with dryer lint (do not compact the lint too much). Other materials could work as well, though I have not done extensive testing
2. Light a candle, and drip the wax into the centre hole of each cube until the hole is filled with wax. Let the wax harden
3. Place 4 cubes in the container, and screw the lid on for transport and to keep water out
4. To use, hold a flame to the lint until it lights, and use to start your fire!

Health and Safety:

Disclaimer that fires are dangerous and should only be done outdoors in a safe manner and a controlled environment, with water nearby to put it out.

Inhaling any type of fire smoke is not good for you, but burning PLA has been shown to be relatively safe in terms of fumes and toxicity: See the ‘end of life’ section of this wikipedia page on PLA:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polylactic_acid#End_of_life

In any case, I recommend allowing the entire cube to burn completely before cooking anything over the fire.