When you’re out camping, there’s nothing more important than a good fire. Not only does it keep you warm and cook your food, but it also provides a sense of comfort and security.
It’s important that all campers are able to start a fire, and that’s where a fire starter log comes in handy. Not only is it a great solution for beginners, but also for experienced campers who want a reliable way to get a fire going.
In this blog post, we will teach you how to use a fire starter log to get your campfire going.
Table of Contents
How To Use a Fire Starter Log: 5 Simple Steps
It’s really easy to use a fire starter log when you know how they work. Just follow these simple steps and you’ll have a roaring campfire in no time:
1. Find a Suitable Spot for Your Campfire
The first step is to find a safe place to build your campfire. Make sure that the spot is clear of any flammable materials and that there is a water source nearby in case you need to put the fire out. If the worst comes to the worst and there’s no water available, there are methods of putting out a campfire without water.
If you’re at a campsite, there is likely a designated area for fires, such as a pit. If you’re in the wild, just make sure that you’re not too close to any trees or shrubs.
If you’re at home on your property or in the backyard, it’s best to invest in a raised fire pit to avoid any damage to your lawn. You can also dig a fire pit if you want a dedicated spot for campfires.
Once you’ve found the perfect spot, it’s time to gather some materials.
2. Gather Your Materials
The next step is to gather all of the materials that you’ll need to build your fire. This includes things like:
- Kindling
- Wood
- Fire starter log
- Lighter or matches
If you’re using a fire starter log, you won’t need as much wood as you would if you were using traditional methods. However, kindling and wood help to build the structure of your fire and keep it going.
You can find wood from your local environment or you can buy it from a store. If you’re buying wood, make sure that it’s seasoned and not green. Green wood is more difficult to burn and produces more smoke.
As for kindling, you can use things like twigs, dry leaves, and paper. Use small, natural, dry items that will light quickly and heat up your larger logs over time.
Once you have all of your materials, it’s time to start building your fire.
3. Build Your Fire Structure
There are many different ways to build a fire, but the teepee method is one of the most popular and effective methods. To build a teepee fire:
Start by placing your fire starter log at the base of your fire pit.
Place your larger pieces of wood around the log, forming a teepee shape.
Fill the spaces in between the logs with smaller pieces of wood and kindling.
Make sure that you leave space along the sides of your teepee for oxygen to enter.
There are other ways you can structure your fire, such as the log cabin method, but the teepee method is the best way to use a fire starter log.
Once your fire is built, it’s time to light it.
4. Light Your Fire Starter Log
Now that you’ve set up the basic structure for your campfire, it’s time to get things started. Use matches or a lighter to light your fire starter log. A good rule of thumb is to light the log on each side so that it catches fire more easily and evenly.
Once the log is lit, give it a few minutes to get going. You may need to add some oxygen to help the fire grow. You can do this by blowing on the log or using a fan.
Once the log is burning well, it will start to catch your pieces of kindling on fire. Feel free to add more of these as needed.
Eventually, the larger pieces of wood will catch fire and you’ll have a roaring campfire.
5. Keep the Fire Going
Now that you have a campfire going, it’s important to keep it going. The best way to do this is to add more wood as needed. If the fire starts to die down, you can use the logs from the outside of your teepee to help build it back up.
Try to keep the heat and flames in the center of your fire pit. This will help to prevent the logs from falling over and extinguishing the fire.
Make sure there is a balance of fuel (wood) and wind so that your fire burns brightly and consistently.
And that’s it! If you thought those instructions were simple, then you’re catching on to the purpose of the fire starter log – to make campfires easy!
Are Fire Starter Logs Safe For Cooking?
With most fire starter logs, you should avoid using them for cooking. The chemicals in the logs can give your food an off-taste and may not be healthy.
Another reason these aren’t a great choice for food is that fire logs don’t turn into coals, which is the most efficient heat source for cooking.
If you want to cook over a campfire, build your fire using traditional methods such as the teepee method. Once your fire has burned down and turned into coals, you can start cooking.
You can still use a fire starter log to get your fire going and when the log has completely burned, you can use the natural wood logs to cook your food on.
Some fire starter logs are made with food-grade ingredients and are safe to use for cooking. However, it’s always best to check the label before using one of these logs for cooking.
How Are Fire Starter Logs Made?
Most fire starter logs are made from sawdust, wax, and other flammable materials. The sawdust is usually mixed with a binding agent such as corn starch to hold it all together.
The wax is what helps the log to burn for a longer period of time. It also makes it easier for the log to catch fire.
Some fire starter logs also contain chemicals such as potassium nitrate or sodium nitrate. These chemicals help the log to burn hotter and for a longer period of time.
These ingredients are then compressed into the log shape and left to harden. Once the logs are hardened, they’re ready to be used.
Many people believe that fire starter logs are more eco-friendly than traditional wood since they are made from recycled materials.
How Long Do Fire Starter Logs Burn?
You can expect your fire starter log to burn between 30 minutes to 4 hours. The exact amount of time will depend on the size and ingredients of the log. Most manufacturers will note the burning time on the packaging.
Here are some other factors that determine the length of the burn of a fire starter log:
- The amount of wind: If there’s a lot of wind, the fire will burn through the log more quickly.
- The size of the log: A larger log will obviously burn for a longer period of time than a smaller one.
- The type of fire log: If your log has more wax or chemicals, it will likely burn for a longer time. Some manufacturers create special blends that are meant to burn longer.
- The breaking of the log: If your log is broken into smaller pieces, it will burn more quickly. Sometimes a fire starter log will break in half while burning.
- The size of the flames: If the flames are large, the log will be used up more quickly.
Are Fire Starter Logs Safer Than Wood?
There are a few reasons why some people believe that fire starter logs are safer than wood.
First, since the logs are made from sawdust and other materials, they don’t have the same risk of splinters as wood does. These materials are also often recycled, meaning that they’re not taking away from new wood growth.
Second, fire starter logs typically burn at a lower temperature than wood. This means there’s less of a risk of the log exploding and causing serious injury, especially when used around pets and children.
Lastly, many fire starter logs give off significantly less carbon monoxide than wood does. Since it has a lower burning point and is mostly burning off paraffin wax, it has a cleaner burn.
While fire starter logs do have some advantages over wood, they’re not completely safe. They should still be used with caution and supervision.
How To Store Fire Starter Logs
Fire starter logs should be stored in a cool, dry place. If they’re exposed to moisture, they won’t light as easily or burn as well. When you’re camping, try to keep them in a waterproof container such as a large plastic bag or a Tupperware container.
Keep them out of the rain or snow as much as possible. If they do get wet, set them out in the sun to dry before using them.
How to Make a DIY Fire Starter Log
There are many types of fire starters out there for you to try. Here is a DIY approach to making your own mini-fire starter logs with many of the same ingredients.
This project is easy, fast, and very cheap. You’ll get many of the same benefits you would from a fire starter log for a fraction of the price!
You’ll Need:
- 12 cardboard tubes (from paper towel or toilet paper rolls)
- Dryer lint (collect your dryer lint in a bag for a month before the project
- A cookie tin or circular metal tin
- Candles
- An empty tin can
- A pan with water
- Potholders
Step-By-Step Instructions
- Make a double boiler with your empty can and a pan filled with water.
- Put your candle into the empty can.
- Heat up the water so that the candle wax can slowly melt.
- Place your cardboard tubes upright in the cookie tin. You can line the cookie tin with wax paper beforehand for a cleaner experience.
- Stuff the tubes full of lint. You can also add small amounts of shredded paper in the middle of the tube if you don’t have enough lint to fill them.
- Slowly pour your melted wax into each cardboard tube.
- Leave them alone to cool off and harden.
- Remove the cardboard tubes from the tin about 1-2 hours later and store them in a cool, dry place.
You can use these mini-fire starters by lighting the end of the tube and placing it in the center of your campfire. The lint will help the fire to spread quickly while the wax will keep it burning for a little while!
Final Thoughts
There you have it, everything you need to know about fire starter logs! The key takeaways are to make sure you store them properly, use caution when handling them, and don’t cook on a fire started with a log until it has completely burned up.
Looking for more top camping tips and tricks? Our how to guides have got you covered.