Campfire Building 101
When you're out in the wilderness, there's nothing quite like gathering around a crackling campfire. The warmth, the camaraderie, and the delicious meals cooked over an open flame all contribute to the magic of camping. To make sure your campfire experiences are filled with ease and enjoyment, we've put together the ultimate guide to campfire gear. Whether you're a seasoned outdoorsman or a beginner, this blog post will help you.
Spark:
Fire Starters: 🔥
Waterproof Matches*: Invest in high-quality waterproof matches or stormproof matches. They'll light even in wet conditions!
Lighters*: Carry a couple of reliable lighters, preferably windproof, as they can be a lifesaver in windy conditions. (The long grill lighters are nice for not getting too close with your fingers.)
Ferrocerium Rod* Or ”Ferro rod: These life saving fire starters create sparks when struck against a rough surface, making them a dependable survival tool.
Tender, Kindling and Fuel.
The Foundation: Tender
Tender is the foundation of any successful campfire. It's the material that catches the initial spark and starts the combustion process. Without proper tender, your campfire may struggle to ignite, leaving you frustrated and cold. Tender firewood is typically composed of small sticks, twigs, or pieces of wood that are no thicker than your finger. These smaller pieces of wood are essential for getting a campfire started because they ignite more easily than larger logs. It's crucial that tender firewood is dry. Here are some excellent sources of tender:
Green Spark Fire Starters*:
These all natural fire starters work great. I used to think this was cheating, but now I keep a box in my kit so I’m never without tender. RV Campgrounds lately tend to be picked through already.
Twigs and Small Branches: Small, dry branches and twigs collected from the ground or from dead trees that are no bigger than your finger.
Birch Bark: Birch bark is highly flammable and makes an excellent fire starter due to its natural oils.
Pine Needles: Pine needles are thin and dry quickly, making them good natural kindling, although smokey.
Dryer Lint: This household item can be brought from home and used as makeshift tender. I like to pack a ziplock with saved dryer lint for a great recycled tender source.
Cotton Balls soaked in Petroleum Jelly are great little homemade starters.
Building the Bridge: Kindling*
Once your tender is ablaze, you need kindling to bridge the gap between the small, flickering flame and the larger fuelwood. Kindling consists of small sticks and twigs, ranging from the size of your finger to to the size of your wrist. It’s purpose is to catch fire from the tender and provide sustained heat to ignite the larger fuelwood. Here's how to select and arrange kindling effectively:
Graduated Sizes: Start with the thinnest sticks and gradually work your way up to thicker ones. This ensures a steady progression of heat and ignition.
Crisscross Pattern: Lay the kindling in a crisscross or teepee pattern, leaving enough room for air to circulate. Adequate oxygen is essential for combustion.
Patience: Trust me, the hardest step to follow. Allow the kindling to burn steadily and establish a strong flame before moving on to the next step. Adding Fuel.
The Heart of the Fire: Fuel
Fuelwood is the primary source of heat and light for your campfire. It consists of larger logs and branches that sustain the fire once it's burning well. Gather or purchase seasoned firewood, as it burns more efficiently and with less smoke.
More than likely you can not depend on being able to find any firewood at or near a campground as others will have picked It up as soon as it hits the ground. But most campgrounds will sell bundles of wood that are appropriate for burning in that region.
CHECK where you are going to see if there are firewood restrictions before you bring a bunch of wood from home you might not be allowed to burn.
Properly selecting and stacking your fuelwood is essential for a long-lasting, efficient fire:
Gradation: Just as with kindling, start with smaller logs and gradually add larger ones. This ensures a slow and controlled progression of the fire.
Stacking Method: There are various stacking methods, such as the log cabin, teepee, or lean-to. Choose the one that suits your needs and resources.
Maintenance: Continue to feed the fire with fuelwood as needed to maintain the desired size and intensity of the fire.
Building a campfire is a skill that every outdoor enthusiast should master. With the right tender, kindling, and fuel, you can create a fire that not only provides warmth and light but also fosters a deep connection to the natural world. So, the next time you find yourself in the great outdoors, remember the art of building a campfire, and let the flames of your carefully crafted fire illuminate your camping experience.
Campfire Kit Essentials:
Compact and perfect for sawing branches.
SOG FastHawk- Hatchet*
For chopping firewood or throwing.
Machete*
This beautiful Barebones Japanese NATA Tool - Machete Perfect for Chopping, Splitting & Cutting - Stainless Steel Hunting Machete - Hardwood Walnut Handle - Stainless Steel Blade
Firewood Splitter*:
A Firewood splitter with hammer is a small, portable & safer solution for splitting firewood into smaller pieces without using an axe or hatchet. Great for splitting those store bought bundles!
Fire Pit or Ring: 🔥
Solo Stove Portable Fire Pit*:
If campfires are permitted and you're concerned about Leave No Trace principles, bring a portable fire pit or use an established fire ring. The Solo Stove is our favorite smokeless fire pit. Total gamer changer.
SOG Entrenching Tool*
Compact folding shovel great for digging out fire pits.
Fire - Safety Equipment:
Fire Extinguisher*: Safety first! You need a fire extinguisher on hand if you’re in your RV.
Bucket* of Water or Sand: If you don’t have a fire extinguisher on hand, an emergency water or sand bucket should be nearby for quick extinguishing.
First Aid Kit*: Be prepared for minor burns and cuts with a well-stocked first aid kit.
Prepared Hero Emergency Fire Blanket*: Fire Suppression Blanket, 40” x 40”. Packs away small and ready to deploy.
Fire-Starting Tips:
Fire Lay: Learn different fire lay techniques, like teepee, log cabin, or pyramid, for efficient and long-lasting fires.
Fire-Building Skills: Practice fire-starting skills in your backyard to gain confidence before heading into the wild.
Use leather gloves* or
mechanic type Gloves*: Wearing gloves is an easy way to prevent injury to your hands while building a campfire.
Remember, building a campfire responsibly is essential to protect the environment. Always check local regulations and fire bans, use established fire rings when available, and minimize your impact by keeping fires small and using dead and downed wood.
With the right campfire gear and knowledge, you'll be able to enjoy the warmth and beauty of a campfire on your outdoor adventures while preserving the natural beauty of the wilderness. Happy camping!
*Indicates Amazon Link