Pitch Sticks: The Original Hot-Melt Glue
(As featured in the April 2009 issue of Practically Seeking)
Pitch — that thick, gooey stuff that oozes out of coniferous (cone-bearing) trees, gets your hands all sticky and doesn't wash out of your clothes, is actually an amazing and highly useful substance.
Pitch (also called Resin) has been used for everything from adhesives to medicines; as a weapon and a waterproofer. The list of uses to which pitch has been put through the millennia are almost endless.
To keep pitch ready-for-use in it's handiest form, it's a great idea to keep a few Pitch Sticks at the ready. Here is how to make them.
NOTE: ALWAYS USE CAUTION and good judgement when processing pitch! It is extremely flammable and the fumes are toxic. Always process and use in a well-ventilated area.
Tips & Tricks for making Pitch Sticks:
- Pitch Pine got it's name for a reason! If you're lucky enough to live in an area with lots of this pine species they are an excellent tree to check first and keep a regular eye on. The pitch harvested from these trees is high-quality and comes in great abundance.
- If you don't have any charcoal available, egg shells can be crushed up as an excellent substitute.
- Bamboo BBQ skewers work great as your "small sticks".
- The pitch nodules can be stored in a cool place, out of direct sunlight until you are ready to melt them into your pitch sticks.
- Cheese cloth or fine gauze can be used in place of a metal sieve or screen mesh to strain your melted pitch. Don't use plastic!
Step-by-step Instructions for making Pitch Sticks:
- Gather the "resin nodules" from coniferous (cone-bearing) trees, such as pine, spruce and fir. Look for hardened opaque yellowish bumps on the bark, as well as roundish lumps within the bark.
- Take some finely crushed and powdered charcoal (the black, charred
pieces of burned wood from a fire) and pour a small pile onto a piece
of cardboard or soapstone.
If you do not have any charcoal available, finely crushed and powdered
egg shells can also be used. It is a good idea to pour the powdered
charcoal or egg shells through a fine sieve to remove any larger pieces.
NOTE: Do not use commercial charcoal briquettes, as they most often have lighter fluid or other chemicals added into their mixture.
- Obtain 2 small tin cans (soup can size), a fine metal sieve or mesh screen (window screen or smaller), and a few small sticks.
- Put the pitch nodules into one of the cans and heat it slowly over LOW heat until completely melted. A small propane or butane camp-stove works great for this, as it allows you to control the heat quickly and easily. The coals in a campfire are equally effective. (Coals only — NO flames!)
- Using tongs or pliers, remove the can from the stove and carefully pour the melted pitch through the sieve and into the second can. This will filter out any impurities, such as bits of bark.
- Set the first can aside and place the second can, now containing the melted and strained pitch, over a LOW heat. Very hot pitch is quite runny and cool pitch becomes quite thick; neither will adhere to your stick very well. You want it to be about the consistency of honey, so return to (and remove from) heat as necessary.
- Dip
the end of one of your small sticks into the melted pitch, then roll the
pitch-covered end in the powdered charcoal or eggshell.
- Allow the pitch stick to cool until it begins to firm up, like soft taffy. While your first stick is cooling, begin to dip your additional sticks.
- Repeat steps 7 & 8 until you have as large a "lollipop" of pitch as you desire.
- If you like, you can dip your fingers into some water and use them to
help the pitch form into a nice rounded shape, or roll the semi-cooled
pitch on a hard surface. BE CAREFUL! The hot pitch will stick to dry skin
(and everything else!)
On a hot day, it can be helpful to dip the pitch stick directly in a cup of water to help it cool faster. - Store your Pitch Sticks in a cool place, out of direct sunlight. Otherwise the pitch could soften or melt!
Remember: Pitch is very
flammable! If it starts smoking it is very close to igniting. SHOULD
THE PITCH IGNITE in the can SMOTHER
THE FLAMES with a pan lid, sand, or baking soda.
DO NOT try to blow
out the flames!
The added oxygen will cause them to flare up in your face.
Next Month: Working with Pitch