I have been making my own firestarters for quite some time and this may not be unique in any way but what I do is burn tealite candles until they are completely melted then blow them out and pour in fine wood shavings until I can't get anymore in it. Once it starts to cool I pack it in as much as possible being careful to not crush the wick. Light one of these and put it under some small wgs in a teepee type formation and as soon as the wick hits some of the wood shavings the whole thing will burn and make quite a nice little fire. It's hot and pretty fast too. Also compact and very portable. The only problem is their tendency to ooze in hot weather. They still work though even if they do ooze a little.