The following article will detail several different methods for starting a fire while camping. The first four steps of this processes should be repeated for each technique, but you may skip to your desired method once you have accomplished these first key points. However, it should be noted that knowing multiple ways to start a fire is recommended, in case problems arise with a single technique.
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Step #1 - Choose a proper site for your campfire. Clear a small area of wood and other debris for your campfire. An area 3-4 feet in diameter should suffice. Additionally, ensure that there is sufficient room above the fire pit, as flames could ignite lingering leaves or branches. Surround your fire pit with rocks and dirt to prevent the fire from spreading uncontrollably.
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Step #2 - Gather a sufficient amount of "kindling". Kindling refers to small sticks and pieces of bark that will ignite easily. Large sticks and logs should be avoided as these will take sufficient energy to burn. Smaller is certainly better here, but ignore leaves and grasses, as these will smoke heavily and could starve your campfire of necessary oxygen. Also avoid any wet or soggy pieces of wood.
Step #3 - Gather larger sticks and logs and create a stockpile for later use. This will prevent hazardous trips through the woods in the middle of the night. Once you have a sufficient stockpile, double it. You will always use more wood than originally anticipated.
Step #4 - Create a "nest" of tinder. This should closely represent a birds nest. It will allow a flame to spread quickly and evenly to create an ignition point for larger sticks.
Flint & Magnesium Technique
This method obviously requires that both Flint and Magnesium are available. These materials often come as a kit in specialty outdoor stores or as part of a survival kit.
Step #5 - Shave a small piece of Magnesium from the block using a knife and put the shaving inside of your kindling nest. Put the remainder of your Magnesium away for now, you will want to use this sparingly as it creates a very hot heat source but extinguishes quickly. You may need to attempt this method several times.
Step #6 - Hold the flint over the Magnesium shavings and using your blade, strike the flint as if sharpening a knife. Sparks should shower down over the shavings. Running the blade several times in succession should ignite the tinder. Slowly add additional kindling to the flame and allow embers to form.
Step #7 - Continue to add larger and larger sticks to the flame in order to build your campfire. Once a sufficient base of coals has formed, adding large logs or chunks of wood will help keep your fire going throughout the night.
Magnifying Glass Technique
This method requires the use of a magnifying glass, a standard pair of glasses, or binoculars. Note that you may need to break the lens away from the frame to accurately pinpoint the light source.
Step #5 - Using your lens, hold the device such that the sunlight is able to pass through the lens and is focused to a single point of light. The more concentrated (smaller) this area becomes, the easier it will be to ignite your tinder.
Step #6 - Focus the light onto a single point in your kindling nest and wait for the magic to happen. Note that depending on the time of day this could take several minutes or up to an hour to ignite. Patience is key here.
Step #7 - As mentioned previously, once your source has ignited, continue to add larger and larger sticks to the flame in order to build your campfire. Once a sufficient base of coals has formed, adding large logs or chunks of wood will help keep your fire going throughout the night.
Fire Plow Technique
This method requires only two pieces of wood (one more dense than the other is recommended) and some patience. The go-to method of many, a little time and energy will go a long way in securing a campfire.
Step #5 - Prepare your plow board by cutting a small grove along the length of one of your sticks. The groove should resemble a trough and pass the entire length of the stick.
Step #6 - Hold your plow board by holding the piece of wood firm in your lap. Using another stick, rub against the stationary board in a downward motion, such that you are pressing at a 60-70 degree angle. After some time, you should notice some wood shavings collecting at the base of the plow board.
Step #7 - Continue this process, building up heat within the wood dust as you continue. Once sufficient heat has built up, the wood dust will ignite. Quickly add this flame source to your kindling pile. Maintain the fire by adding larger and larger sticks.
Bow Drill Technique
This method requires two pieces of wood (one flexible, one firm), a wooden plank, a rock, a shoestring, and some patience. A tried and true method, this is the prefer fire starting technique of the Boy Scouts of America.
Step #5 - Prepare your bow by cutting a small grove into two ends of a flexible stick. Insert the shoestring into each groove and tie the ends together tightly, such that the wood curves as in a bow and arrow design.
Step #6 - Create a notch in your wooden plank, such that a small hole passes through the plank. Be sure to create a notch slightly smaller than your secondary (spindle) stick, as you will be aiming to build friction between the two pieces.
Step #7 - Secure your spindle to the string by creating a loop. Insert the spindle into the notch you previously created and simultaneously apply downward pressure to the spindle and perform a sawing motion with the bow. Note that you may way to use a rock or other device to apply pressure to the spindle as the friction will damage your hands.
Step #8 - Similar to the fire plow technique, continue this grinding process as you build up heat within the wood dust. Once sufficient heat has built up, the wood dust will ignite. Quickly add this flame source to your kindling pile. Maintain the fire by adding larger and larger sticks.
Batteries & Steel Wool Technique
Amazingly, a 9-Volt battery and steel wool is all you need to start a fire. Although an "off-wall" method, if you find yourself stranded in the woods with these two items, you'll have a fire in no time.
Step #5 - Stretch the steel wool out into a thin sheet, approximately 3" x 3". Run the steel wool across the terminals of the battery, such that the steel wool acts as a conductor between the two poles. The steel wool will instantly ignite, so quickly and careful place the steel wool into your kindling nest. Slowly add additional kindling and other sticks to the fire to build your campfire.
There are a million different ways to start a fire, and the above are simply the recommendations that we find work the most repeatedly under good conditions. Although nothing surpasses a good 'ol Zippo lighter, each of these techniques will ensure you have a campfire up and roaring in no time.
Different Ways to Make a Fire When Camping
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