Whether you are camping, cooking food outdoors, or heating your home or cabin, building the perfect fire can be a complicated task at times. One time a fire can be built without any issues at all. The next time, barely a flame will crackle no matter what you do. Consistency and being prepared are two keys to building a good fire each and every time.
Follow the steps below and you will achieve the perfect fire no matter where you are or how big you plan to build it.
First of all make sure you have a good base (or bed). If you are not using a fire pit or an inside furnace or stove then make sure you clear a spot. Dig a small area out and line it with dirt. Clear the area surrounding where you plan to build the fire. The bigger the fire you plan to have, the bigger the area you need to clear. Always think of safety first.
The first layer that you will need is tinder. This is very small, dry flammable items such as pine needles or wood shavings. These are the items that will cause the fire to light quickly and evenly. If you are building a fire outdoors it is always a good idea to bring your own tinder from home that you know is dry and ready to use.
The next layer is the kindling. This is bigger wood that will keep the fire going. It will ensure that the fire gets to a good hot temperature without being smothered out. Kindling is usually pieces of wood chopped into small chunks or branches broken off the sides of trees. It also needs to be dry in order to get the flames to a hot, consistent temperature. It is best to be placed over the top of the tinder in a triangular fashion before lighting.
Once the tinder bed is laid down and the kindling is built over the tinder it is time to light it. I suggest wooden matches or a windproof lighter that has plenty of fluid or a full charge. Get down towards the bottom of the pile of tinder and light it on various sides so it burns from the outside in.
After the fire is burning at a hot, steady pace the bigger pieces of wood can be added on. This is the fuel that will actually put out the heat and maintain the fire. It is better if these pieces are not full logs because they take far too long to catch fire. Cut pieces work better and maintain the heat more consistently. Feed the fire with wood for as long as you want the fire to burn. The more wood you add, the bigger the fire will be and the more heat that will be thrown off.
Building the perfect fire is as simple as that. Being prepared and consistently building your fire the same way is all it takes. If you are building an indoor fire be aware of how your furnace works and be sure to clean the chimney and all the parts around it regularly to prevent any fires outside of the containment area. If you are building an outdoor fire be aware of your surroundings and take the extra steps to prevent the fire from escaping. Be sure to put the fire out before leaving the area.