ImgurCallsForAid
485
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Fire maintenance for a dummie
TL;DR I need advice on how to make a fire not die to impress a girl
So, I got invited to go on a camping trip with my girlfriend and her family, and after setting up tents and tarps, I got volentold to be on fire duty. I'll be honest, I have really no idea how to maintain a fire. Any if you clever imgurians that know how flames work, I'd love some tips. It's for a cooking fire, so I know I need hot coals, not necessarily big flames, although that's still be fun. Any help would be grate!
DavidBowiesEyepatch
Gasoline.
TheUglyGuy
Gasoline. Lots and lots of gasoline.
6to4to3
Soak the logs in wood
WoeToHice
So instead of telling them you don't know how to handle something that might get someone hurt, you thought "No prob, I'll ask the Internet!"
ImgurCallsForAid
It's very much in a fire pit and muddy around
winterstormwarning
Do people still do things to impress girls?
ImgurCallsForAid
Apparently
MyInboxIsSadAndEmpty
Why would we stop?
blueboy
When it comes to keeping a fire going overnight for warmth, take the amount of wood you THINK you'll need, and then double it.
ImgurCallsForAid
It's not for overnight necessarily, just for the next five hours or so
SexiasMaximus
Fire needs two things to stay "alive," fuel and air. I've always built my fires by lying the wood in triangles on the ground so the air...
SexiasMaximus
can flow up through the middle.
ImgurCallsForAid
Seems to be going well. Tried to teepee stack logs and kindling and there seems to be enough to keep it going. The cooking has begun
Hear7Breaker
also for future reference... if you are with a family that likes camping... don't be on your smartphone/device all the time.
Hear7Breaker
when I go camping, it's to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. This includes people being glued to cellphones all the time.
Hear7Breaker
Just keep feeding it wood, and you should be ok. But for God's sake, keep your wood pile far enough away that embers don't get into it 1/2
MyInboxIsSadAndEmpty
Also don't forget to soak the logs in wood.
Hear7Breaker
After moving it a safe distance, the wood pile should be out of the walking path of people. So as no one trips on it after it gets dark.
ImgurCallsForAid
Wood pile is on the other side of the camp, a D damp wood is around, but still in the firepit
Hear7Breaker
okay, damp wood is fine, just make sure you have the fire/coals hot enough to keep it lit. Hard wood (Oak) takes a lot of heat to burn too.
MyInboxIsSadAndEmpty
Okay step 1: Know where you're camping. Is it wet? Is it super dry? This will determine how much little stuff you'll need to start 1/?
Adrang
This guy. As an Eagle, listen to this guy. The only thing to add is that more important than fuel is air. Fire needs to breathe.
MyInboxIsSadAndEmpty
Fuck I totally forgot to mention it, thanks mate.
Adrang
Don't crowd the log cabin and make sure air can flow through it. Patience is important.
MyInboxIsSadAndEmpty
2/? a fire, how much bigger stuff you'll need to keep it going, and how much time it will take before it can burn bigger stuff.
MyInboxIsSadAndEmpty
3/? If it's super dry (like California right now) you can pretty much start a fire with some wood chips, dry grass, and a bright light
MyInboxIsSadAndEmpty
4/? If it's super damp you'll need to be a lot more careful or cheat (use lighter fluid). I recommend cheating.
MyInboxIsSadAndEmpty
5/? Step 2: Fire construction. My personal favorite is the log cabin where you take sticks and lay them like || then = repeating on top of
MyInboxIsSadAndEmpty
6/? each other until it's about 5 or 6 inches tall. fill the center space (should be about 4"x4") with wood chips or paper and light it
ImgurCallsForAid
Most of the wood around here is slightly damp, so Im using as much dry stuff as I can and placing the other logs sorta close by to dry
MyInboxIsSadAndEmpty
Excellent plan. Feel free to use slightly damp logs for the final steps as the heat will still reflect and dry them out at the same time.
Adrang
People are also saying to make sure the wood is nowhere near the fire. If it is wet, you can leave it closer to dry out. But pay attention.
Adrang
Quick question...Are you handy with a knife? If yes, that can open a few avenues.
ImgurCallsForAid
I am very handy with a knife
Adrang
Feather sticks are awesome aids if you feel you have it in you. Basically, take a stick and shave thin strips, but don't cut them off. (1)
Adrang
This allows fire to catch underneath and breath. This kinda shows the idea. http://www.magikelly.co.uk/mb/mb_feather.jpg