Pinecone scales close up when cold and wet, locking in bugs and dirt. Baking them will open up their scales to release anything trapped and create a nice, full-shaped cone. This is sure to fill your home with the most incredible holiday fragrance. It’s 100% all-natural and toxin-free (as long as your pine trees are pesticide-free).
How to Clean and Debug Pinecones
Hand-pick any needles or leaves that may be stuck inside the scales. Brush any dirt or debris off of the pinecones. Sometimes, depending on how sappy they have become, this can become very sticky. Remember, if the cones become wet or damp, the scales will close up, making them harder to clean.
Bake at 200-225*
About an hour for larger cones and less for smaller ones.
I use an old cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
tips
The sap will melt and leave your cones with an all-natural shine.
Warning: Pinecones baked at too high a temperature or for too long can become brittle.
Please do not leave them unattended, and monitor them closely. Ensure sap does not leak onto your oven’s heating element and become a fire hazard.
When the sap has melted, remove your pan from the oven. Remove the parchment paper lined with cones and place it in an area to cool and dry for a few hours.
If you have store-bought pinecones, they are most likely debugged and ready to craft with.
Happy Crafting!
