How to build a campfire that will last all night long
When you’re camping there’s no better feeling than waking up to a nice warm campfire that has lasted through the night! There’s a few simple steps to make it happen and safely! So we’ve pulled together our top 5 tips for creating the ultimate campfire that will last all night.
1. Slow burning wood:
You want to find wood that will burn long and hot throughout the night. This may not always be easy when you're camping and just using what you have around camp. So try and find large logs when gathering wood, as a basic rule the larger the wood the longer it will burn!
2. Add some rocks:
Rocks are good heat conductors. They hold heat for a long time and help to maintain the energy level of the fire. Form a ring around the outside of your fire with large rocks. Leave a bit of space between to allow for air to pass through and feed the fire all night long.
3. Ventilation:
Ventilation is key; more oxygen = more fire. So avoid stacking too much wood at once. We find the Tee Pee style is the best for a long lasting fire. This design allows for good air circulation all the way through the centre of the coals. It is also self feeding in the way the bottom parts of the wood burn while the upper parts gradually fall in the fire.
4. Cover with ash:
Once you have a good fire going cover the new logs in some of the ash from the fire. The coals will continue to burn and heat the wood all over instead of just from directly beneath. In the long term, this creates a slower, but more consistent burn.
This trick only works well if you have a hot coal bed so try it towards the end of the night when you're ready to go to bed and you have a lots of coals ready.
5. BE SAFE:
Always follow local and state laws in regards to fires and check the weather conditions before making any campfire. Clear the area around your fire pit and ensure you have water near by. Keep the fire small if leaving over night.
If you can do all of the above you’re in for one hell of a campfire! Enjoy.
