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Get Creative When Building A fire
Nov. 23rd, 2017 06:58 pmIf you’re out there in the woods and you forgot about your matches or the lighter (let’s not get into that right now), you need to get creative in order to remain warm and protected throughout the night. Here are some fun ways you never think about.
1. Turn the drink can into a lantern
Just because you forgot your camp lantern (again, let’s not go there), but you still need a burner for a nice hot cup of tea, you may get some aluminum cans, a marker, some steel wool, rubbing alcohol and some knife or scissors. You need to mark and cut the cans 1 1/2” from the bottom, filling one bottom with some steel wool, fitting the other on top with the edges into the bottom half.
Punch five holes in the center and several small holes around the top outer edge. Pour slowly the alcohol into the center so that it funnels into the bottom and light. As flames appear in the outer ring, throw a coin over the holes in the center.
2. Make a stove out of a wood log
Get a thick wood log and stand it one end. If you have a chainsaw, cut three slices to within 6” of the bottom. You may very well split the log and put it in a small pit with sides that give its stability. You should use some paper and fine kindling for filling the slots, but ensure a good air circulation. Pour plenty of oil (vegetable is the one to go) into the middle and let it soak for a bit. Finish with some fine kindling on the top and light your new stove.
3. Play it safe-use wood friction
Sometimes nothing works and you need to go back to the basics. Get a flat piece of wood, tinder, kindling, a knife, and a solid stick with a blunt end. Carve a channel down the middle, wide enough to fir the tip of the stick. Place the flat piece between your knees and move the stick fast back and forth until you get a spark.
4. Watch out for the wind
It’s not easy to start a fire in open grasslands, beach or maritime environments and you need to work fast and efficient. You may have better chances if you’re digging a fire pit (2’-4’ in diameter), around 12”-18”. You have to make an effort for the sides to be vertical and you may use some large rocks to support the sides. Stack some rocks above ground around the perimeter of the pit so that you get a windbreak.
5. Yes, you can build a fire in the snow
The site preparation is the most important part when building a fire in the snow. You need to sweep away any powdery snow and compact the snow left behind by simply walking on it. Use some tree bark to make a 3” thick layer over your side and lay some large logs all around your perimeter. Start with the coarsest kindling and layer up to the finest ones, in the middle of your fire pit.
Once you lit up the kindling, make a teepee around the fire using some twigs and sticks.
1. Turn the drink can into a lantern
Just because you forgot your camp lantern (again, let’s not go there), but you still need a burner for a nice hot cup of tea, you may get some aluminum cans, a marker, some steel wool, rubbing alcohol and some knife or scissors. You need to mark and cut the cans 1 1/2” from the bottom, filling one bottom with some steel wool, fitting the other on top with the edges into the bottom half.
Punch five holes in the center and several small holes around the top outer edge. Pour slowly the alcohol into the center so that it funnels into the bottom and light. As flames appear in the outer ring, throw a coin over the holes in the center.
2. Make a stove out of a wood log
Get a thick wood log and stand it one end. If you have a chainsaw, cut three slices to within 6” of the bottom. You may very well split the log and put it in a small pit with sides that give its stability. You should use some paper and fine kindling for filling the slots, but ensure a good air circulation. Pour plenty of oil (vegetable is the one to go) into the middle and let it soak for a bit. Finish with some fine kindling on the top and light your new stove.
3. Play it safe-use wood friction
Sometimes nothing works and you need to go back to the basics. Get a flat piece of wood, tinder, kindling, a knife, and a solid stick with a blunt end. Carve a channel down the middle, wide enough to fir the tip of the stick. Place the flat piece between your knees and move the stick fast back and forth until you get a spark.
4. Watch out for the wind
It’s not easy to start a fire in open grasslands, beach or maritime environments and you need to work fast and efficient. You may have better chances if you’re digging a fire pit (2’-4’ in diameter), around 12”-18”. You have to make an effort for the sides to be vertical and you may use some large rocks to support the sides. Stack some rocks above ground around the perimeter of the pit so that you get a windbreak.
5. Yes, you can build a fire in the snow
The site preparation is the most important part when building a fire in the snow. You need to sweep away any powdery snow and compact the snow left behind by simply walking on it. Use some tree bark to make a 3” thick layer over your side and lay some large logs all around your perimeter. Start with the coarsest kindling and layer up to the finest ones, in the middle of your fire pit.
Once you lit up the kindling, make a teepee around the fire using some twigs and sticks.
