Fire Structure

[GWashington1732]

When you guys build a fire, do you generally use an initial structure or do you just light up your tinder and build from there?

I use a teepee type structure usually, but I find that the square "log cabin" structure works better in wind. I find that building on top of the tinder is so ridiculously frustrating that there's no point to it. But what do you guys use as a base for your fires?

 

[kgd]

Nothing complicated. I usually just set up one log as a backboard/wall. Add my tinder against the wall. I'll place a couple of feather sticks ramped over the tinder and light the tinder. Then as the feather sticks ignite, I lay kindling on top of that like a lean to on the log.

One reason I don't often build a structure first is because I'm most often lighting my fire with a fire steel or using flint and steel. I need to have a lot of clearance room to ignite the tinder, or in the case of flint and steel, blowing the tinder basket into flames and then place it near the tinder when it is lit. If I were using a match, I can see the advantage of having a nice little log cabin/teepee built first.

 

[dawsonbob]

While it varies, depending on what I want to do, my favorite (if I'm going to be cooking) is to build a tee-pee of kindling over my tinder, surrounded by a log cabin. I strike a smaller tinder bundle outside of the structure and, once that's burning, put it inside the tee-pee. The tee-pee burns, igniting the log cabin, which burns down to really great coals for cooking.

That's certainly not the only way I do it, but it is my favorite.

 

[RescueRiley]

I find that prep of the initial materials is more vital than the structure of the fire.

 

[dawsonbob]

I find that prep of the initial materials is more vital than the structure of the fire.

Yep. The structure won't matter much, if at all, if you haven't prepped your materials.

 

[sicily02]

Hi all,

I like to build a little plat form on 3 or 4 sticks like in the is pic.

Then I like to put my fuzz sticks one them like this pic shows.

Then I stack my kindling on that in a tipi look. Like this pic shows.

Then I take my tinder, normally , it is cotton and pj mix and then wrap some around a stick to make a home made match so to speak.

then I will strike firesteel onto my cotton / pj mix that is on the end of that stick and start it on fire

and then put that right under that 3 sticks that are holding my fuzz sticks and kindling. in a no time at all I have a fire going.

That way is what I do most of the time.

I sometimes will put my tinder down on the ground and then put on some fuzzsticks and then just strike my firesteel next to my tinder to light it up and then the rest is history.

The tinder in this pic was a plant that light ups real fast with a spark. It in turn lit up another plant called goldenrod and once goldenrod starts look out. It will in turn light up the fuzz sticks in a hurry and then the rest of the kindling starts up.

That is what I normally do anyways. What KGD said works just fine to I have done that to. There are just so many ways to start up a fire though.

I then like to put some logs around the fire log cabin style or just lay sticks on chriss cross ways. Just depends ont what I feel like doing for that fire.

Bryan

 

[KuRUpTD]

Then I take my tinder, normally , it is cotton and pj mix and then wrap some around a stick to make a home made match so to speak.

Bryan

That "home made match" is a pretty slick idea ... will definitely give that a try.

Thanks

 

[tonym]

I will lay a base of split wood down when the ground is very wet, or full of snow. Then like Riley said, if your tinder and kindling is well prepared it won't take much to build your fire.

 

[kgd]

I find that prep of the initial materials is more vital than the structure of the fire.

True enough. Getting enough kindling and then preparing more is the way to go. Its the one thing that you can fail on because you get all carried away with trying to start the fire and find you really don't have enough small stuff to establish a little bed of coals before laying on the larger stuff. This is of course the purpose of the structure. To force you into that. However, just having it on hand and in plentiful abundance is usually enough. Whether you want to tend to the flame as it grows or have your structure do it is up to you.

 

[Diomedes Industries]

I find that prep of the initial materials is more vital than the structure of the fire.

For once Riley has one thing right... well he did pioneer the Stunt Koala - that was genius too....


anyway, I think to have a good fire, the lights, and burns well every time you should:

1) Prepare the tinder, Fluff the initial tinder, make nice curls for feather sticks, or break dead dry twigs into the right length, and break your finger sized wood into the right lengths.

2) Set aside enough material to get good coals - at hand and around the fire.

3) Set a base of thick dry wood, especially if it is wet.

The rest depends on what kind of fire you want. If you need hot, and burn fast, I usually do a teepee fire, or log cabin fire. If I want a hot sustained fire that will basically feed itself, I will put up a 'Upside down' fire.

TF

 

[Wandering_About]

I also agree with what RR said. Good tinder works with about any arrangement in the beginning stages of a fire. Depending on the conditions, I either start with a lean-to like kgd or a small teepee. Both morph into a cabin arrangement once I start getting bigger chunks of firewood on.

 

[TheGame]

I find that prep of the initial materials is more vital than the structure of the fire.

I agree with that. I always make sure I have enough of the fire prep when I start.

Sometimes I use a structure, but that is usually a self sustaining fire that burns down, so I don't have to add wood to it. Also is usually when I only want a small fire.

 

[Tim the Slugman]

Get all of your fire making materials at hand before you strike the first spark. add as needed, after the tinder is going.

 

[warrigal]

I think most of this has been covered but anyay.
I prefer log cabin when the wood collapses it falls between the two base logs or in the fire trench. Teepees can be a little indiscriminate.
I build a fine twig, fuzz stick platform across the base then slide a tinder bundle on a piece of bark under the platform after ignition. I have used the PJCBs as a match and a similar concept ( winding a fine wisp around the wick) to light candles.
Carl

 

[sicily02]

Carl, good point about the log cabin, falling in between the base logs or in my case the 2 rocks I have in my fire pit. I really like to be able to put my flame under the fuzz sticks,
plus with the air currents it really make for a fast fire I think.

Bryan

 

[Bushman5]

fire structure in BC Canada:

- log the cutblock
- bulldoze 30' high x 50' round pile of slash
- soak with diesel
- throw road flare into it.

 

[dawsonbob]

fire structure in BC Canada:

- log the cutblock
- bulldoze 30' high x 50' round pile of slash
- soak with diesel
- throw road flare into it.

Wow, Bushy, now that's a bit extreme for a simple campfire. I mean, if you just want to roast a few marshmallows...

 

[Bushman5]

BC Canada is the TEXAS of the North. Go BIG or go home

 

[dawsonbob]

I am home, because I can't compete with that. Around here, anything that big would involve a whole lot of regulatory agencies. I'll just stay here and stick pins in cell phone dolls (voodoo works, I'm told).

 

[wildmike]

Like others here I make a real priority out of prep.

The only point I haven't seen covered is air flow. I can't count how many times I've had folks who were frustrated with not being able to get a fire to start or continue to burn, and who asked for help get blown away at the difference made by opening up the fire. Most inexperienced folks lay the fire up too tight choking air flow. Fire's just gotta breathe.