DIY Adjustable Campfire

Camp cooking sometimes calls for an adjustable flame in the heating area, much like other forms of cooking. Although this is relatively simple on a camp stove, it is a little more complicated when you are cooking on a campfire. Create a classic campfire with a flue that allows you to adjust the heat that goes to cooking pots. You can alternate frying foods with simmering liquids using the same campfire and cooking area.

Things You'll Need

  • Shovel
  • Tinder
  • Kindling
  • Logs
  • Matches
  • Large rocks
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Instructions

    • 1

      Check the prevailing wind in your area. If you are creating a fire for one meal, base the placement of the fire on the current wind direction. If you are building a more permanent fixture, ask neighboring campers about common wind directions.

    • 2

      Dig a trench that measures about 1 foot deep, 1 foot. wide, and 4 feet long. Locate the trench so that the wind will blow into and out of it, instead of across. If the wind is blowing from the north to the south, dig the trench in the exact same direction. This will be your heat source and flue. You will end up with a thin, shallow hole in the ground in which you'll build the fire.

    • 3

      Build a fire down inside the trench or ditch. Begin by lighting tinder, which is tiny bits of flammable material like dried leaves or pine needles. Add kindling, small sticks and twigs. When the flame is established, add logs to create a stable fire for cooking. Fill the trench center with a fire at least 18 inches long.

    • 4

      Find some large rocks or boards big enough to block off one end of the trench. Build a wall inside the trench at one end with as few pieces as possible. This will block some of the wind from the fire, allowing the cooking fire to cool down.

    • 5

      Place cooking pots on the dirt directly above the coals in your campfire, after the fire has burned down to coals.. The edges of the pots will rest on the rims of the trench, sitting over the hot coals. Remove part or all of the wall blocking the end of the trench to increase the heat on the fire, and replace the pieces when you need to cook on a lower heat.