Came across this technique on line somewhere and it sounds interesting. Has anybody used this method of fire building ? Pros and cons of this method ?

I'm not sure what you are referring to.


I use the Swedish Torch every now and then, gotta have dry Pine. Swedish Torch/Canadian Candle

Reverse fire building

that looks quite interesting.

Makes sense. What gets a fire going really well is a lot of heat. By putting paper/other tinder on top and building the fire from the top down, you get lots of heat around your kindling and wood, which causes them to ignite faster.

What I don't like about building the fire with big logs first is that they tend to smother the fire and prevent oxygen from getting the fire going in those early stages. Igniting it from the top could solve that problem, I suppose. I should really test that.

My preferred technique: I light the paper and a few twigs first, without building anything else, then add the split kindling, then add the larger pieces, and then throw the yule log on top when it's really going and blow on it a couple times to keep the oxygen going. Super hot fire every time.

This is what is recommended in twig stoves like the Solo Stove. It does work very well. I'll admit it's hard to change something that has been driven in to your head for 40 years or more.

quote SaganagaJoe: "...My preferred technique: I light the paper and a few twigs first, without building anything else, then add the split kindling, then add the larger pieces, and then throw the yule log on top when it's really going and blow on it a couple times to keep the oxygen going. Super hot fire every time. "

Mine as well, but rarely use paper. I have a good supply of birch bark. I do this in a camp fire or my fire place with equally good results.

Wood gasification stoves also work this way. Interesting idea for a camp fire. I don't know, but wonder if a top down fire would be hampered by wind more than a traditional?

https://youtu.be/dBFV9cykRuE
The "top down" fire does very well in the wind and is easy to set up. You don't have to feed it as it burns down.

https://youtu.be/dBFV9cykRuE
The "top down" fire does very well in the wind and is easy to set up. You don't have to feed it as it burns down. I could use some help in how to submit a video on this site.

quote walllee: "... Pros and cons of this method ?"

Anything works with dry wood in good conditions. Practice good fire building skills so you'll be able to start a fire with wet wood in wet windy conditions.

quote OCDave: "

quote walllee: "... Pros and cons of this method ?"

Anything works with dry wood in good conditions. Practice good fire building skills so you'll be able to start a fire with wet wood in wet windy conditions.

Believe me, have started many in wet conditions, even pouring rain..

quote jhb8426: "

quote SaganagaJoe: "...My preferred technique: I light the paper and a few twigs first, without building anything else, then add the split kindling, then add the larger pieces, and then throw the yule log on top when it's really going and blow on it a couple times to keep the oxygen going. Super hot fire every time. "

Mine as well, but rarely use paper. I have a good supply of birch bark. I do this in a camp fire or my fire place with equally good results."

I would prefer birch bark, it's better than paper. We just don't have a whole lot of that where I live. But not peeled off living trees, of course! Dead and downed birch trees supply all the bark I need.

quote smoke: "https://youtu.be/dBFV9cykRuE
The "top down" fire does very well in the wind and is easy to set up. You don't have to feed it as it burns down. I could use some help in how to submit a video on this site."

Very easy to do smoke, on the same page you wrote your message there is a area that says add a link to this message. You just add the link you posted and name the link for everyone to click. Link

On our trip a couple weeks ago my son-in-law build one thought it was a great idea. I almost fell asleep watching the slowburn.

Never heard of it. Get me some birch bark and I will get you a fire......

This is the fire making method recommended by Four Dog Stove.

4 dog

I have always heard of this called a "Council Fire". It is a great way to build a fire for a group campfire event. We use it for Boy Scout ceremonies.

It makes for a very even, steady burn. A more traditional fire will flare up very big at the beginning, driving people further from the fire ring, and then burn down to a cooler base of coals. The council fire remains a more steady burn and heat. Try it!

quote Tman: "I have always heard of this called a "Council Fire". It is a great way to build a fire for a group campfire event. We use it for Boy Scout ceremonies.


It makes for a very even, steady burn. A more traditional fire will flare up very big at the beginning, driving people further from the fire ring, and then burn down to aw cooler base of coals. The council fire remains a more steady burn and heat. Try it!"

+1 - I remember using this fire building system in the scouts 50 years ago.

quote SaganagaJoe: "I would prefer birch bark, it's better than paper. We just
don't have a whole lot of that where I live. But not peeled off living trees, of course! Dead and downed birch trees supply all the bark I need. "

Parts of MN have a lot. I collect it when I'm out in the woods and find downed birch. I have 3 shopping bags full in my shed.