Best way to build fire?

What is the best technique for building a fire? I've tried the "criss cross" stacking method, two logs one direction with two logs stacked on top in opposite direction with mixed results. I have the logs on a grate and I place one of those duraflame starter sticks in the center. I haven't attempted the "tee pee" style because our box is fairly small so I didn't think I would have enough room to build it.

Another problem is that the colder it gets the more drafty it seems to be, with the fire blowing around alot in the box and not staying lit well. I usually keep one window slightly open to get a draft.

 

You need three things for combustion -heat, oxygen and fuel. It's best to start with small pieces of wood (kindling) so that you are not robbing the fire of its small amount of heat with big logs on initially. This is also why you are having more trouble in colder temperatures. I just put a couple of pieces of loosely balled newspaper on the bottom, loose sticks on top of that and a couple smaller logs (2-3" in diameter at most) on top of that. Once it's going pretty well, add a bigger log or two.

 

Here are a couple of tricks we use for campfires:
Use homemade fire starters-
Take old pieces of cardboard from old boxes... cut into strips then fold them a few times over so they are like 6" long by 1-2" wide. Tie a string around the center.
Then take all your old candles in your house and put them in a coffee can.
Melt the wax down and let it cool so the wax starts to get think again. Now dip each cardboard piece into the wax with the string and let cool.

Now take your firestarter and light it- place under small kindling and it will burn a little longer and hotter to start your fire.

You can also made them by taking sawdust and putting the sawdust and hot wax into old egg cartons and then seperating them- I've also heard people using dryer lint as well.

They all work well and can be fun to make out of common household items.

 

We used to use the sawdust and wax egg carton fire starter years ago when I was a boy scout - just make sure you use cardboard egg crates, not foam.

 

I see what my problem is now, I've been buying hardwood in a box from my local grocer. There's only large pieces and no kindling. I have used the starter stick with newspaper but the wood must be too large for it to get going. I can probably find some kindling at my local home center.
Might give the cardboard and wax method a try.

Otherwise, is the log stacking method I mentioned ok? Does it really matter how they're stacked as long as everything else is done correctly?


Thanks.

 

How you stack is very important in a campfire, less so in a fireplace. Get some kindling and you should be ok. Without kindking, you're just not generating enough heat to get your logs going.

 

You must have seasoned wood to start with it makes all the difference, You also need make up air so the fireplace has a good draft. I use two starter blocks left and right then put on some kindling wood, then place several light softer wood easier to burn logs on top of kindling once you get the fire going you can put on thicker pieces. One thing to notice is after about and hour of burning wood you will get a bed of hot red glowing embers under the grate once you get to this point you can ignite almost any log just control the draft and enjoy the fire. Stack the wood any way you want but try and leave some space for the air to circulate between the logs.

 

Many people are against this because they are wussies but if you want a great fire put in 2 or 3 good sized logs and place a duralog behind and underneath them, out of site. That'll get that sucker going and it makes a perfect looking fire. Your lady will explode in lust and admiration of your fire skills young ninja!

 

Thanks for all the tips. We now have quality fires and very little smoke. Family now stays in the room with me, instead of the bedroom with the doors closed.