(My daughter recently tried rubbing two sticks together, earnestly believing this would start a fire.
Spoiler: It doesnt work like that).
Keep in mind that a log of wood wont actually burn very easily.
The smaller and thinner a piece of fuel is, the more easily it will catch fire.
Once you finally get a log burning, youre not done yet.
But youll never get there if you dont build the fire well from the start.
Kindling: twigs and small sticks that can catch fire after theyve been heated up by the previous layer.
Slightly larger sticks, or split pieces of firewood that can catch fire next.
And finally, your campfire logs.
He recommends using an accordion-folded piece of paper as a simple tinder.
(The accordion folds help to keep air flowing toward the fire.)
I remember my dad starting fires with loosely crumpled newspaper, which works the same way.
And they require some practice.
A fire starter, on the other hand, is more forgiving.
Cut the cups apart, and each is a fire starter.
You light the paper, and then the paper, lint, and wax burn together.
They replace the tinder and some of the kindling in our earlier example.
Or, accomplish much the same thingusing a paper towel or toilet paper tube.
The best fire starters
Fire starter bricksare made of sawdust and wax.
Duraflame cubescome in a plastic wrapper, and you actually light the wrapper to get them started.
Natural or wooden fire startershave wood shavings or strips on the outside, and wax at the center.
While the fire starter is burning, ensure youre putting the flames to good use.
Once its going, you’re able to feed in more logs to make a larger fire.
But were learning the lazy way here, and this will do the job.
Three or more campfire logs.
Buy these locally, to avoid carrying pests from one area to another.
Optional: miscellaneous small sticks or other flammable items(used paper plates from lunch are perfect).
Optional but highly recommended: a poker.
If you dont have a metal poker, find a sturdy stick and keep itoutof the campfire.
Thats your poking stick.
This is how youll move logs around once the fire is lit.
How to build your campfire
Now, find the fire ring at your campsite.
Assemble the fire like so:
Lay two logs parallel, about 4 inches apart from each other.
Place the fire starter in between them, not in the center but slightly toward one end.
Light the fire starter.
Use the poker to separate the two parallel logs if you need more space.
Add a third log on top of, or next to, the fire starter and kindling.
You want this log to start heating up, too.
Once the fire starter has burned out, the logs should already be burning nicely.
Add a fourth log if desired (I go for a square, log cabin style structure).
