Starting a fire in your fire pit can be crucial, whether you’re camping or just trying to stay warm and cozy on a cold winter’s day. But if you don’t have the right kindling, it can be nearly impossible to get a fire going, no matter how much newspaper or fire-starter you use.
Finding Good Kindling for Fire
In this blog post, we’ll go over how to find good kindling and some tips for starting a fire with it.
What is kindling? Kindling is small, dry, easily combustible material that is used to help start a fire. Kindling is larger than tinder, which is the smallest and most combustible part of your fire like newspaper or tree bark. It is usually made up of twigs, small branches, and other woody material that is less than an inch in diameter. The goal of kindling is to create a bed of hot coals that will ignite larger logs and keep the fire going.
So, where do you find good kindling? One of the best places to look is in the forest or woods, where you can find plenty of small branches and twigs. Look for dry, dead branches that are less than an inch in diameter, and avoid branches that are green or wet. You can also look for dead leaves, grass, and pine needles, as these can make excellent kindling. Our founder’s favorite kindling is called “squaw wood,” which are the small dead limbs thinner than a pencil under the live canopy of a conifer or pine tree. Just be sure to avoid any materials that are chemically treated or contaminated, as these can release harmful fumes when burned.
If you don’t have access to a forest or woods, there are still plenty of other places you can find good kindling. Your own backyard can be a good source of small branches and twigs, especially if you have a tree that is shedding its leaves. Just be sure to check with your local ordinances before collecting kindling from public lands or your neighbor’s yard.
Once you’ve collected your kindling, it’s important to store it properly to ensure it stays dry and ready to use. A simple way to do this is to keep a small bundle of kindling in a dry, covered container, such as a cardboard box or plastic bin. You can also store your kindling in a dry, well-ventilated area, such as a shed or garage. Just be sure to keep it away from any sources of moisture, as wet kindling will be nearly impossible to ignite.
How to Start A Fire with Kindling
Now that you have your kindling, it’s time to start the fire. There are many different methods for starting a fire. We’ve already detailed our favorite method, cross hatch, but another effective way to start the fire is the teepee method. Here’s the simplified version of starting a fire in your fire pit:
- Start by arranging your kindling in a teepee shape, with the smaller sticks on the bottom and the larger sticks on top.
- Leave a small opening in the center of the teepee, and place a fire-starter or some crumpled newspaper in the opening.
- Then, gently blow on the fire-starter to get the kindling burning (with our best-selling Stoker Poker, perhaps), and add more kindling as needed to keep the fire going. Be sure not to smother the fire adn give it space to breathe and grow.
In conclusion, finding good kindling is an important step in starting a fire. By looking for dry, dead branches and other woody material, and storing it properly, you’ll be well on your way to building a successful fire.
Own the Best Fire Pit for Cozy Fires
Just be sure to follow all local laws and regulations, and use caution when starting a fire in your fire pit to ensure your safety. So, now you know how to find good kindling you’re ready to have the warmest fires in your fire pit. Of course, first you need the best fire pit like one from Walden Backyards top-rated collection.
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