How do you start a CG fire?

[Wanabee FTer]

We stayed at Beverly Beach state park in Oregon last week and had an odd experience.

It was about 6pm, my usual time for walking the dog. Went for a short walk, about 15 minutes later when I came back a new camper was right across from us. I quickly noticed a huge bonfire with flames leaping close to the trees.

I walked into our MH and found DW in a panic. Seems she had the windows open enjoying the fresh air when all off a sudden an overwhelming smell of charcoal lighter fluid came inside the RV. She didn't know if it was a gas or a chemical leak coming from our RV, but soon figured out it was the guy across the way. Seems he came plowing into his site, jammed on the brakes, jumped out of his RV and immediately started his camp fire.

I suppose that's fine to want to get your campfire started quickly, but is it really necessary to douse the fire with a whole can of charcoal lighter fluid to get it started?

Is there anybody else out there that starts their CGF the old fashioned way?

[LadyFitz...]

Illegal fireworks?

[Dogpatch]

I use a propane torch and an 18volt battery powered leaf blower to give it oxygen.

I can pretty much start a fire with green wood.

I never ever use any smelly fuel!

[racefn]

DW makes little cups of wax and wood chips and a wick, they will start any fire, we give away more than we use, get asked quite often what they are.

[docj]

We bought some Weber firestarter cubes last year. They are ~1/2" cubes of a wax-like substance that burn hot and never fail to light the wood they are near. Unlike BBQ starter fluid they have no scent (at least not one we've noticed). We start one of them with a butane firestarter and always have success.

[Mr_D]

Friend bought 3 cases of the large fire logs for $5 each and I bought them from him. Cutting then into slices makes them into nice firestarters too. And they're cheap considering what I paid for them.

[-LB-]

If you have some corn chips, they make excellent little fire starters...pile them up and light on fire...they will hold a steady flame for a long enough time for your kindling to catch....best part is no chemical smell....actually smells like a lil fiesta!!!.....

[troyrice76]

Boy Scout water (grill lighter fluid). The ground has to be dry or the fire will suck up the moisture.

[wa8yxm]

There are two kinds of fire rings in parks I frequent, The older sites often have a large truck tire rim or something like it.. Just a steel ring, The new sites have this monstronisty made of concrete and culvert pipe (2 sizes) No easy to inject air at the bototm.

Thus I have two 12 volt blowers, one is easy to slip the extension pipe under the liftable ring, the other is a 1 or 2 inch blower in one end of some tail pipe, bent to go over the concrete and deliver to the bottom of the fire MR. MUFFLER made the pipe for me out of a scrap length.

Works great

Baper, Kindling, Logs and air.. One match to light the propane torch.

If the fire is really hard to light
I have what amounts to a single burner BBQ burner, Actually it is a piece of the proper size conduit with a crimped end, holes along about 2/3 it's length a bend and air holes near the open end, a standard portable Grill regulator (Sunbeam table top) fits in the end. Instant "Gas fireplace" .

[sam-3]

I save all the kindling that falls in our yard or is pruned from trees. We also put our paper plates,napkins ect in the firepit. This usually works or if need be I use some odorless lighter fluid from Sams club. I also dry outdoors refinishing rags/washclothes. Then I use them as fire starters.

[Jupiter]

Originally Posted by racefn

DW makes little cups of wax and wood chips and a wick, they will start any fire, we give away more than we use, get asked quite often what they are.

ditto... easiest way to start a fire w/o kindling, and there's no fuel storage concern

[TheArnolds]

I use a propane torch

[Alan24601]

Propane blowtorch from Harbor Freight for 10 bucks, works great.

[Dr4Film]

I use a box of fire logs cut up into smaller chunks. When firewood is short I will use the entire log. If it's good enough for your fireplace inside a house, it's certainly good enough for a campfire at the campground.

Dr4Film ----- Richard