Every camper knows the low moment: damp wood, dwindling patience, and the temptation to douse the logs in lighter fluid. A DIY trick making the rounds among outdoor YouTubers and survivalist accounts promises a tidier fix — and it starts with the coffee grounds you'd otherwise bin.

The idea is simple. Mix used coffee grounds with melted wax, pour the blend into a mold, and let it harden into compact discs or bricks. Even a small, Dixie-cup-sized starter will reportedly burn for around 15 minutes, which is usually enough time for stubborn, damp firewood to finally catch. Because they're small and solid, they slip easily into a backpack without leaking or crumbling.

There's a bonus claim, too: the grounds seem to repel insects around the fire. Campers and prepper influencers swear the smoke keeps mosquitoes at bay, letting you eat your s'mores in peace. The science isn't settled — it could be the coffee itself or just the extra smoke doing the work — but as a two-for-one hack, it costs almost nothing to test on your next trip.

Making a batch is a low-effort weekend project. First, dry the used grounds by spreading them on a baking sheet and warming them in the oven at 250°F, propping the door open now and then to let moisture escape. Melt paraffin wax or unscented candles separately — YouTuber The Camping Post used a disposable bread pan to save the washing-up. Stir the dried grounds into the melted wax, reheat if the mixture starts setting, and add more grounds to pack in as much as possible. Then spoon it into muffin tins, small paper cups, or even an egg carton. Some makers push a match or a length of jute twine into the soft wax as a wick; it's optional, but handy.

Once fully hardened, wrap each starter in wax paper tied with twine. That stops the discs from shedding crumbs in your pack and gives you an extra bit of fuel to help ignition along. Then it's just a case of lighting one under your kindling next time the weather turns soggy.

Why bother when firelighter cubes exist? Partly the price — this is essentially recycling two things you already own — and partly the appeal of a natural option without the flare-ups and fumes that petroleum accelerants can cause. It also makes a neat little gift or stocking filler for the outdoorsy person in your life. If you camp, overland, or just like being smug around the fire pit, this one's worth 20 minutes of your kitchen time.

Full credit to Explore for the original write-up.