Published Jun 17th, 6/17/25 8:12 pm
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Choosing a spot
So first you need to create a safe fire spot, taking into consideration things like wind, dry shrubbery, low hanging branches, normal shrubbery, and ground. Also make sure it's far enough away from big rocks and boulders so they won't be blackened by smoke.
So yeah, just choose/make a spot that only your fuel will be the only thing burning.
(Make meaning raking away needle leaves and twigs)
Gathering materials
Now you actually need the stuff you'll be burning.
Tinder, kindling, and fuel wood.
It's important to have ALL your materials in place before you strike a match. Otherwise your fire will mostly go out whilst gathering more wood.
Homemade firestarters
These are kinda essential to using flint and steel.
So here are a few materials that are very helpful to have on hand such as; cotton balls/cotton balls rolled in petroleum jelly, and dryer lint/pocket lint. It's especially useful (usually more if you're using a match) to put these in things such as cardboard egg cartons, and/or toilet paper rolls inside thingies.
Some other supplements could be:
Shredded dry inner bark of cottonwood, elm, or cedar tree.
And in an emergency: fluff from a mouse nest and/or chipmunk burrow.
Laying the fire
Heat rises. Keep that in mind as you arrange your tinder, kindling, and fuel so that a single match can do the job.
I like making what I call a starting place.
This is a specified place where one will be lighting the fire. I usually make a sort of cave in my tinder to hold the match in, flint and steel makes it different.
You should usually keep this area relatively exposed so you will be able to hold the match in it. Don't drop the match by the way, it'll most likely go out if you do.
I prefer the log cabin (Cover image) over the Tp
It's just generally easier and seems to burn hotter, it's also a lot easier to cook things over it.
Managing and putting out a fire
Remember to build your fire just large enough for your needs. This will minimize the amount of wood you burn and can make it easier to erase signs of a fire once you are done.
And if you're using it for cooking, you'll be able to get close without singeing your eyebrows.
Also remember to take responsibility for every campfire by keeping an eye on it at all times.
Putting out your fire
Extinguish every fire when you no longer need it or if you won't be around to watch it. Splash water on the embers, then stir the damp ashes with a stick and splash it again. Repeat until you can hold your hand over the ashes and do not feel heat.
Fireplaces
A fireplace holds cool pots securely above the flames and allows air to still reach the fire.
-Three-Point Fireplace. For a single pot or pan, push three metal tent stakes into the embers.
-Log Fireplace. Place a log on each side of the fire. The logs should be arranged close enough to hold your pots. The fire will slowly burn through the logs so make sure to keep an eye on it while cooking.
Try resting several old metal tent pole sections or pieces of rebar across the logs as a base to rest your pots.
Wet-Weather Fire Tips:
-Before rain begins, father tinder, kindling, and fuel wood and store it all under your rain fly or tarp.
-Keep a supply of dry tinder in a plastic bag
-Split wet sticks and logs with an ace. The wood inside should be dry
-Protect matches/striking pad from dampness by carrying them in a plastic pill bottle with a tight lid.
-Store a butane lighter away from heat and moisture, and it will give you a flame in even the wettest weather.
So first you need to create a safe fire spot, taking into consideration things like wind, dry shrubbery, low hanging branches, normal shrubbery, and ground. Also make sure it's far enough away from big rocks and boulders so they won't be blackened by smoke.
So yeah, just choose/make a spot that only your fuel will be the only thing burning.
(Make meaning raking away needle leaves and twigs)
Gathering materials
Now you actually need the stuff you'll be burning.
Tinder, kindling, and fuel wood.
It's important to have ALL your materials in place before you strike a match. Otherwise your fire will mostly go out whilst gathering more wood.
Homemade firestarters
These are kinda essential to using flint and steel.
So here are a few materials that are very helpful to have on hand such as; cotton balls/cotton balls rolled in petroleum jelly, and dryer lint/pocket lint. It's especially useful (usually more if you're using a match) to put these in things such as cardboard egg cartons, and/or toilet paper rolls inside thingies.
Some other supplements could be:
Shredded dry inner bark of cottonwood, elm, or cedar tree.
And in an emergency: fluff from a mouse nest and/or chipmunk burrow.
Laying the fire
Heat rises. Keep that in mind as you arrange your tinder, kindling, and fuel so that a single match can do the job.
I like making what I call a starting place.
This is a specified place where one will be lighting the fire. I usually make a sort of cave in my tinder to hold the match in, flint and steel makes it different.
You should usually keep this area relatively exposed so you will be able to hold the match in it. Don't drop the match by the way, it'll most likely go out if you do.
I prefer the log cabin (Cover image) over the Tp
It's just generally easier and seems to burn hotter, it's also a lot easier to cook things over it.
Managing and putting out a fire
Remember to build your fire just large enough for your needs. This will minimize the amount of wood you burn and can make it easier to erase signs of a fire once you are done.
And if you're using it for cooking, you'll be able to get close without singeing your eyebrows.
Also remember to take responsibility for every campfire by keeping an eye on it at all times.
Putting out your fire
Extinguish every fire when you no longer need it or if you won't be around to watch it. Splash water on the embers, then stir the damp ashes with a stick and splash it again. Repeat until you can hold your hand over the ashes and do not feel heat.
Fireplaces
A fireplace holds cool pots securely above the flames and allows air to still reach the fire.
-Three-Point Fireplace. For a single pot or pan, push three metal tent stakes into the embers.
-Log Fireplace. Place a log on each side of the fire. The logs should be arranged close enough to hold your pots. The fire will slowly burn through the logs so make sure to keep an eye on it while cooking.
Try resting several old metal tent pole sections or pieces of rebar across the logs as a base to rest your pots.
Wet-Weather Fire Tips:
-Before rain begins, father tinder, kindling, and fuel wood and store it all under your rain fly or tarp.
-Keep a supply of dry tinder in a plastic bag
-Split wet sticks and logs with an ace. The wood inside should be dry
-Protect matches/striking pad from dampness by carrying them in a plastic pill bottle with a tight lid.
-Store a butane lighter away from heat and moisture, and it will give you a flame in even the wettest weather.
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