A firelighter can really get the embers glowing and help you start a roaring fire, perfect for lighting your barbecue, fire pit or wood-fired pizza oven in summer, or lighting your wood burning stove in the winter.
However, with so many fire lighting options available it’s always a good idea to invest in those with eco-friendly credentials, made from sustainably sourced or biodegradable materials that are non toxic and without unpleasant odours.
What are eco firelighters?
Eco firelighters are a sustainable way of getting a fire going and are a good alternative to BBQ starter gels or liquids. They are usually made from natural, sustainably sourced or biodegradable materials and vegetable waxes. Eco firelighters are less smelly than flammable gels, liquids or blocks that are made of kerosene, paraffin or paraffin wax, derived from petroleum.
What are eco firelighters made of?
An environmentally friendly firelighter is often made from a mix of sustainably sourced wood wool (the light, bio-degradable material made from shredded timber that you often find in gift hampers and champagne boxes) or sustainably sourced wood shavings. Many are coated in natural wax or vegetable oil. Once lit, they produce an odourless and non-toxic flame.
Best eco firelighters to buy in 2023
Zip Twisted Firestarters
Environmentally friendly and 100% natural, these eco firelighters contain Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood shavings and natural waxes. Place three twisted firestarters among your chosen fuel. A 1kg carton contains approximately 80 firestarters.
FIRE UP Natural Sustainable Firelighters
FIRE UP natural sustainable firelighters are made from sustainably sourced (FSC Certified) compressed wood, impregnated with vegetable oils. They are CO2 neutral when burnt.
Eco Blaze Natural Firelighters
Designed to be more eco-friendly than your traditional firelighter, this option from eco blaze is 100% natural and made from sustainably sourced spruce tips which have also been dipped in wax - this should help them burn even longer.
They should light immediately so you'll have no trouble getting your fire started, with a burn time of around eight minutes which is ideal whether you're setting up your outdoor fireplace or preparing the barbecue.
They come in a pack of 200 which means you'll have a hefty supply to keep you going, and they shouldn't emit an odour either so they won't spoil any food you've prepared or leave any unsavoury scents lingering in your garden.
Natural Eco Wood Firelighter
Get the flames roaring with these natural firelighters from Log Barn.
With a burn time of around 10 minutes, these would be ideal for getting a larger fire started or heating up a grill so you can prepare food, and because they're made from a mix of wood wool and natural wax, they're both eco-friendly and shouldn't leave a bad smell behind either.
They’re available in a hefty pack of 500 so there's little risk of these running out any time soon, just bear in mind that it may take around three to four firelighters to get an average sized BBQ going.
Twizlers Fire Lighters Natural Wood Wool
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Made from wood wool, these firelighters from Homefire are made with 100% natural ingredients.
This means they are not only easy to light, they should also produce a clean flame free of both odour and smoke.
Once lit they should also have a convenient burn time that lasts between seven to 10 minutes.
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Premium Planet Large Firelighters Set
This double set from the Premium Planet Store comes with two types of eco firelighters to make sure your flame never goes out.
It includes 60 pieces of wood wool to get your fire started, as well as 60 organic bricks for a slower burn.
Eco Barn Wood Natural Firelighters
This box of 200 sustainable firelighters should see you through many events as it takes just one to get your fire roaring, although between two and three are recommended if you're specifically using a barbecue.
Made from a mixture of wood wool and natural vegetable wax, once lit each should give off a flame for up to 10 minutes, which should be plenty of time to get your fire going.