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Handcrafted Fire Starters Since 1995

About Us – Little Bucket Firestarters

It All Started with a Cold Winter in Maine.

In 1995, Rick and Kelly Skillings sat beside a brand-new woodstove in their Maine home and realized something wasn’t right. They were freezing. They tried everything from newspaper and kindling to store-bought fire starters and a few desperate DIY attempts. Nothing worked.

So they did what any true Mainer would do. They figured it out.

After months of trial and error, tested through real winter conditions, they created something simple and effective. A compact, wax-sealed fire starter that burned hotter, longer, and more reliably than anything else they had tried. That’s how Little Bucket Firestarters began, right in Livermore Falls, Maine, USA.
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A burning eco-friendly fire starter in a firepit.

Why We’re Still Here (and Still in Maine)

Years later, not much has changed, and we’re proud of that. We’re still a small, family-run business. We still hand-pack every order and ship everything directly from our workshop in Maine. No factories, no mass production, no fluff.

From off-grid cabins in Alaska to backyard fire pits in California, our fire starters are trusted across the USA and Canada because they simply work.
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Did You Know

100% Recycled. 100% Reliable.

Our fire starters are built using just two ingredients: recycled candle wax and clean wood shavings. No fillers. No harsh smells. Just practical, earth-friendly materials turned into something useful and dependable.

Why people keep choosing Little Bucket FireStarters:

Made with 100 percent recycled materials
Burn-tested to last over 20 minutes
No lighter fluid, no chemicals, no synthetic binders
Handcrafted in Livermore Falls, Maine, USA

We also use recycled lumber, sourced locally

Our wood shavings come from a sawmill just down the road here in Maine. The owner was literally throwing away these beautiful lumber scraps, so we struck up a deal. Now, instead of ending up in a dumpster, those pieces get a chance to help families start cozy fires.

There's something satisfying about keeping things simple and local. We're not trying to save the world, we're just two neighbours helping each other out while making something that actually works. The sawmill gets rid of its waste, we get quality materials, and you get fire starters that light every time. Sometimes the best solutions are right in your backyard.

We believe in simple things that do what they’re supposed to do.
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How People Use Our Fire Starters

Little Bucket fire starters are used in more than just fireplaces and woodstoves.
They’re trusted by:

  • Backpackers and hikers who need something they can count on
  • Off-grid homeowners who can’t afford to have their heat fail
  • Campgrounds and boutique lodges that want to offer something useful
  • Families teaching kids how to build a fire without frustration
Wherever you find warmth and stories being shared, there’s likely a Little Bucket nearby.
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A group of people around a camp fire using Little Bucket Fire Starters

“It Just Takes One.”

That’s not a tagline. It’s the reality.
No kindling. No newspaper. No lighter fluid. Just one fire starter is all you need.

It lights fast, burns hot, and gives you enough time to get even damp logs going. Rain, snow, or wind doesn’t matter. It works.
The Little Bucket family

A Family Business Built to Last

We’re not here to be the biggest brand on the shelf. We’re here to be the one that never lets you down.
Everything we do happens in our small shop in Livermore Falls, Maine. We test every batch ourselves. We reply to your messages. We pack your orders with care.
When you choose us, you're not supporting a corporation. You’re supporting a real family and a product we use in our own homes. Our mission has always been the same. Make a firestarter that’s reliable, natural, and easy to use, and help people feel at home wherever they are.

Frequently Asked Questions

Place the fire starter in your fire pit or stove and light the top surface. Wait 5-10 seconds for the flame to fully engulf the starter before adding your wood. Stack your damp wood on top of the burning starter, allowing the sustained flame to dry and ignite the logs.

Fire starters made from recycled wax and clean wood shavings are ideal for outdoor use. They are biodegradable, moisture-resistant, and burn reliably in various weather conditions. These natural options are safe for camping, hiking, backpacking, and emergency situations.

Yes, wax-sealed fire starters are specifically designed to ignite and burn even in wet weather. The wax coating protects the combustible materials from moisture and burns long enough to dry out damp logs. They maintain their effectiveness in rain, snow, and high humidity conditions.

Combine dryer lint, sawdust, or shredded paper with melted wax in egg cartons or muffin tins. Allow the mixture to cool and solidify completely before removing from the molds. These homemade starters store easily and provide reliable ignition when needed.

Natural fire starters burn completely without leaving residue in wood stoves or fireplaces. They are non-toxic and produce minimal smoke when burned properly. For fireplace use with a grate, place the starter in a small tin can to contain any melted wax.

Each Little Bucket fire starter contains 100% recycled wax and clean wood shavings. No synthetic binders, chemicals, or additives are used in the manufacturing process. The simple, natural ingredients ensure a clean burn and reliable ignition.

Little Bucket fire starters burn for 20 minutes or longer per cube. This extended burn time provides sufficient heat to ignite stubborn or damp wood with just one starter. The consistent flame duration makes them reliable for various fire-starting situations.

Yes, Little Bucket fire starters are safe for indoor use in wood stoves and fireplaces. They are non-toxic and burn cleanly without producing harmful fumes. The clean-burning formula makes them suitable for indoor heating and ambiance.

Ready to Light Your Next Fire the Easy Way?

Browse our collection of long-burning, eco-friendly fire starters — and experience the one-match difference.
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