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How to Dry Pine Cones

Once you have gathered pine cones in the fall, you'll want to dry them out properly to use in crafts. Here's one way to dry pine cones in an hour or two, using a low-temperature stove oven.

How to Dry Pine Cones

Oven Baked Pine Cones:

Supplies:

• Pinecones
• Oven
• Parchment paper or foil

Spread pinecones on a parchmount or foil lined cookie sheet and place in 200 degree, or lower temperature oven until all the cones have opened.

Drying will usually take an hour or two, depending on the size of your pinecones.

Don't try to rush the drying; remember, the slower the drying process, the less brittle the pine cones will be.

Once your pinecones are dry, check our Nature Crafts or Christmas Crafts for some crafty ideas to use your pine cones!

Copyright © 1999-2009 Susan Spatone All rights reserved. Published with permission from CraftAtHome.com

Washed Pinecones:

Supplies:

• Pinecones
• Sink
• Warm Water
• Antibacterial dish soap or household cleaner

You can wash pine cones, rather than baking them in the oven, to clean them up for crafts. These is best done in a large sink, such as a laundry tub. Plug the sink drain and place the cones on the bottom of the sink. Add a generous amount of antibacterial dish soap, or all-purpose household cleaner, then cover the cones with very warm water. Allow the pine cones to soak for about half an hour, stir them in the water, then rinse well. If sticky sap remains, repeat both washing and rinsing steps.

Spread washed pine cones on plastic bags or newspaper until dry.

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