Campfire Grill

This is one of those forgotten skills that everybody should have. The ability to start a fire without using a lighter or box of matches. Here are a handful of well known fire making techniques that can be fun to try
Using Friction.
We all know that rubbing things together makes them warm up and if you [...]

This is one of those forgotten skills that everybody should have. The ability to start a fire without using a lighter or box of matches. Here are a handful of well known fire making techniques that can be fun to try

Using Friction.

We all know that rubbing things together makes them warm up and if you have ever watched any of the excellent Ray Mears Bushcraft TV series you will have seen Ray use a variety of friction based techniques. Be warned, these are not easy and you're likely to wear yourself out in the process. But you'll find that making fire using these basic bushcraft techniques can be enormously satisfying.

Basically, you need two pieces of wood, one to act as the fireboard and the other as the spindle. This wood must be bone dry. As for all of these firemaking techniques you will need to make a tinder nest using bone dry grass, wood shaving and other easily flammable material.

Cut a V shaped notch into the edge of your board and place a piece of bark underneath to catch the burning ember. Cut another little groove into the board at the point of the V for the tip of your spindle. You can spin your spindle, which should be about two feet long, using a bow made with string and a bent piece of bendy wood. You can use the bow to spin the spindle really quickly, creating a lot of friction and heat. Hopefully you will soon see wisps of smoke coming from your fireboard. Once you have created a burning ember, transfer this to your tinder nest using a piece of bark. Gently blow on your tinder nest to turn the embers into fire.

Using Fire Sticks

Once upon a time people would carry a piece of high carbon steel and flint to make fire. The flint would be struck against the steel to create a spark. These days you can find excellent firesteels in many bushcraft supply stores consisting of a high carbon steel rod and hardened steel striker. One can also use the blade of a knife.
As for other fire-making methods you need a nice dry tinder nest for your spark, but this method is much easier than the friction based method described above.

Using the Sun's Rays

Everybody remembers using magnifying glasses to scorch things as children. This is another relatively easy way to make fire, if it's sunny. But of course we don't always have a hand magnifying glass in our pockets. You could use a pair of glasses or even make a lens from a condom filled with water.

Using Electricity

This is a fun way to make fire that can provide a useful demonstration of the power and danger of electricity. To make this work you will need a battery and some steel wool. The best batteries to use are the 9V, rectangular variety. By rubbing the battery contacts on the wire wool you'll make it heat up and start to burn. Transfer your burning steel wool to your dry tinder nest and blow to ignite. Hey presto, you've got fire!

These techniques are great to try when you are next on a family camping trip. Why not include a few fire-making tools with your camping equipment and let your children have a go. But be sure to take plenty of warm outdoor clothing because you might be a little chilly without a fire.

Tags: awning, bushcraft, Campfire Grill, Campfire Grills, camping, Camping Equipment, camping tent, canopy, fire making, firemaking, firesteel, firestick, making fire, RV Camping Equipment, starting a fire, tent, tents for sale, tents on sale, umbrella

EZ Up Canopy

• Camping First Aid Kit (The most popular family events for summer time outings is camping.  If you want to have a safe and fun vacation, it's important for you to bring the appropriate camping gear. Given that there are so many different types of camping gear now available, for those just getting starting it may be a little overwhelming. While [...])
• Privacy ()
• Stainless Steel Camping Knife (Whether you are an experienced camper or a first timer looking for camping gear can be overwhelming. It is up to you to decide what is right for you and your family when it comes to camping supplies. Camping is becoming more popular because it is a great way to spend some good quality time [...])
• Folding Camping Chair (In you plan on going camping or are entertaining the idea, having a comfortable camping chair to sit in will make the experience more enjoyable. This way, you can be sure to have somewhere comfortable to sit when gazing at the fire or the stars. Many camping chairs nowadays are made to be easily folded [...])
• Camping Medical Kit (While camping in Mexico is exhilarating, it can also be very challenging and it is this fact  that makes it such an exciting country to camp in. The area is filled with mystery and  intrigue, and if you are a camping greenhorn, leave Mexico until you have a little more  experience. Finding yourself off the [...])
• Portable RV Camping Generator (If you have ever taken your family on vacation then you know how expensive that it can be. Now that money is tight because of the economy it can feel like you just cannot take your family. Staying home should not be an option, though. These times are very important to spend making memories that [...])
• Dried Camping Food (I remember camping when I was younger. I did this as a Girl Scout and with friends. My  family wasn't too big into it, but at the lake where we vacationed summer after summer,  there was one family who rented the other cottage. They were big campers and they would use  the fire pit at [...])
• RV Stainless Sink (The latest thing in home improvement these days seem to be many families taking traditional indoor activities and moving them outdoors. The growing popularity of outdoor kitchens is just one example. With people adding outdoor living spaces more and more, the most popular addition by far has been the outdoor kitchen. RV people and campers have [...])
• RV Camping Generator (You can love making a visit to the state by staying in Northern California RV Parks. This lets you see the natural beauty and be able to enjoy all the tourist attractions you want to. They offer modern conveniences that make staying convenient, and offering you an easy way to travel and stay while here. There [...])
• Tripod Grill (Taking a vacation with your family can get quite expensive. The economy is preventing many families from taking fun vacations together like they used to. If money is tight for you then you don't need to stop taking your holiday vacation. There are ways to still have a great time on vacation and save some [...])

Category: Camping Cooking Equipment