When you think of a camping trip, one of the first things that you probably think about is a campfire. It is the centerpiece to a perfect campsite and should be on the top of your successful camping checklist.
A campfire typically consists of three parts: the tinder, the kindling, and the logs. The tinder is lit first and then the kindling is lit on top of it. Once all of the tinder and kindling are burning, logs are added to keep the fire going. It seems simple enough, but things do not always go as planned.
How To Make The Perfect Campfire
Campfires are a great way to spend time with friends and family, but sometimes they can be difficult to start.
The first step is to find some dry wood. You should look for wood that is dry and not green or wet.This is the single biggest mistake made by people, not using seasoned firewood. If it is too green or wet, it will be incredibly hard to ignite and will produce much more smoke and soot.
The second step is to cut the wood into small pieces, about 2 inches in length.These will be used to start the fire initially, as it is much easier to ignite a stick than a log.
The third step is to locate some tinder that will be used to capture the flame initially. Dry grass, leaves and even pieces of bark make excellent tinder.
Once you have all of your campfire supplies in hand, you can begin the construction of your ultimate campfire. Place tinder on the ground and ignite it. Once it is lit, start adding some kindling to grow a bigger fire. Once the kindling has fully ignited and is stable, start adding logs. Be careful to add the logs slowly since you do not want to smother your flame. Also be sure to alternate the logs so that you create an air gap that will allow the fire to grow.
That is all there is to it. This might seem like an oversimplification of the process, but it really is that simple. Sometimes things do not go as planned however and when this happens, it is usually because of one of the problems below.
Common Campfire Building Problems
Wet Wood
This is the number one problem faced by campers, wet wood. You can do everything perfectly, but if the wood is wet, it is just not going to burn. When you buy wood, make sure that it is not fresh cut, you want aged wood. Additionally, when you store it, place it in a covered location.
Impatience
It takes time to build the perfect fire, so do not let impatience get the best of you. Take the time to prepare your tinder and your kindling. Don’t try to jump ahead to quickly. You want to get the big logs burning, but you need to create a good base first.
Wrong Wood
Avoid using woods with a lot of resin such as pine or cedar. These will produce much more soot and create a fire that is unpleasant and not as hot. You should also avoid pungent woods like fruit woods. They might smell good at first, but can be overwhelming in the long run. As far as firewood goes, oak is king.
Not Enough Wood
A very common mistake people make is not bringing enough firewood with them. If you want a fire that burns throught the night, take what you planned to bring and double it. Plan on adding about one stick of wood every 15 minutes to your fire, if you want an ultimate one at least.
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