Campfires 101: Essential Tips for Beginner Campers

[@TheBearEssentials]

Hey Everyone, thanks for watching. Feel free to introduce yourself and let me know what type of camping knowledge you'd like to see covered in Visual format. I'm planning my 2023 Video Topics and Schedule now! I try to respond personally to as many of these messages as I can before it gets overwhelming. - Your friend, DJ My Gear List: www.amazon.com/shop/thebearessentials The Bear Essentials Handmade Gear: bearessentialsoutdoors.ca/ DJ's Gear Recommendations (Not from Amazon) bearessentialsoutdoors.ca/collections/djs-gear-recommendations

[@TheBearEssentials]

@xRzeropoint79 Sure thing! I will do an advanced fire vid like this!

[@Eliza.--.]

This is maybe too broad a question, but could you cover some handy improvisations, or things you would rather make for yourself than buy and lug around with you? I'm thinking along the lines of using folded clothing instead of a camp pillow, but more technical and more practical.

[@Eliza.--.]

@xRzeropoint79 I find that rolled-up clothes make a good enough pillow for me, it was more as an example of little things someone might not know a simple alternative for. Thanks for the information though :) That does sound like a cool piece of gear.

[@ansarsufitube6464]

😢🇦🇪🌏😭👍🧑‍🍳

[@rowanbcapr]

log cabin fire is great for wet wood. if you can get a bit of pine resin place it on your tinder in the middle and it you can use the spaces between the logs of the “cabin” as grate bars for inserting your wet wood so that it both dries and ignites over the flame, and continue this until the top ignites

[@TheBearEssentials]

Excellent idea!!

[@YanickGirouard]

You can also easily dry bigger logs by arranging them vertically around the pyramid structure so they will both protect the main fire from the wind and eventually add themselves to the fire's fuel source and catch fire. Just make sure you leave some gaps so you don't cut off too much air.

[@disasterstrike6347]

It would be super helpful if you could make a video about what are the best kind of ropes to buy and use for different situations, because your videos are super well put together and clean.

[@TheBearEssentials]

Awesome, funny you say this, I’ve been working on that exact video for the past few weeks! Will have something out in the near future :)

[@disasterstrike6347]

@TheBearEssentials Great, thanks! I can't wait :D

[@PineMartyn]

Nice exposition. I've long been a proponent of the upside-down/reverse fire-lay and I avail myself of this method except when I need a fire going in a hurry. In addition to the merits you described, I find that learning to use that fire-lay forces one to acquire some knife and axe skills for wood-processing, which are advantageous skills to have for any backcountry camper. Cheers and all the best to you in this new year. - Martin

[@TheBearEssentials]

Martin!! Thanks for writing. Couldn’t agree more with the skill and refinement side of it. With all your experience I truly value your insights! Thx for watching man!

[@KOKO-uu7yd]

THANK YOU! I've understood and used basic fire skills for years. The way you presented each, and especially the thermal imagining, was new for me, and my understanding is FAR more solid now! I can't wait to try this out in my backyard. Also, I've pretry much failed to help my kiddos understand fire building. (We're all a little impatient lol) I really think this'll help them both, and I plan to test that this weekend 😁🤞🤞 I'm going to enjoy your vids😊

[@adx442]

I've been using the upside-down method exclusively for years, but I do mine very differently than yours. No gaps, no tinder built-in. I lay my largest pieces side by side, tightly together without gaps. The next layer is smaller pieces, tightly packed side by side, usually at a 70 degree angle rather than 90, to retain more coals on the layer below it (so they don't fall off to the sides and smolder). Repeat this process layer by layer with ever smaller pieces until you have all your wood stacked. On top, I build a tinder/kindling/twig structure of pure chaos, with just enough material to burn for about 5-6 minutes and enough pinky sized twigs to generate some starting coals. My method takes longer to get going, but it burns very slowly and for a long time, and tends to re-burn the rising smoke from the layer beneath what's currently flaming. Advantages: It can be nearly smokefree when it gets rolling. You can use less dry material for your larger pieces, as they'll be drying for a long time from the layers above and the falling coals. Your wood lasts much longer as it burns layer by layer. You'll tend to burn 100% of your fuel with no left over chunks of char. Disadvantages: If you need heat "right now", this is not the one you want (cooking, drying off). You'll be waiting 15 minutes for it to start producing significant heat. Your top 2 layers need to be decently dry material to generate hot coals to continue the burn to the larger layers. Takes some axe skills to prep the correctly sized pieces (XL, L, M, S, XS is what I usually start with for layers, with XL being forearm sized and XS being pinky sized). Give this tactic a try sometime, I think you'll be very pleasantly surprised!

[@777xino]

Sounds great! Will give it a go. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@ArslanFutbol1]

Sounds good. Make a video of it.

[@MysticMonkeyMiracle]

Man I start a teepee fire to get it going, and once it's going well I knock my logs over, and rearrange them into a larger bed. Seems a lot easier, and faster than the reverse fire. Gets going hot quick, and once you have those coals you can arrange them how you want, and just start building from there. There's no obligation to keep the shape that you used to start the fire. Idk seems a bit unnecessary for me. I appreciate your content greatly though 😎✊🏼

[@TheBearEssentials]

Oh for sure!!! No obligation at all to keep one distinct fire type - this is all just information anyone can adapt to their own style :)

[@sundaymorninghikes6275]

Just found your channel! GREAT content! The science teacher in me loves your scientific approach to comparing the three different types, and the camper in me loves the "best use" classifications! I'm an "old Faithful/Log cabin" fan. I honestly haven't tried the other two, but I stick with what works for me. I'll try them next time I'm out.

[@GraVe235]

celsius best temperature ♥

[@TheBearEssentials]

I secretly agree too 😬

[@yaroslavbukhta6562]

Thanks for taking the time and effort to make this

[@mick3780]

The analysis is very good for showing data for every fire set. Good work 👏👏👍

[@Jameskeith1972]

Hi. I’m Keith. I grew up on a ranch in Texas. I basically camped every day from 5 -18 years old😂! I still think it’s more accurate to call it back yard camping because we always had the option of making it back to the house when we got fed up with the weather, bugs, etc!

[@aryankaran1]

I personally liked rever fire pretty much , because of its construction, pretty cute ..

[@TheBearEssentials]

Ya ! Me too

[@dc-k4868]

Really interesting and informative. Will definitely give the reverse form a go.

[@TheBearEssentials]

Awesome thanks for watching David. It's worth a try and I love using it especially when solo and theres a lot of work at camp to be done.

[@SusieLovesJesus]

Agreed 💯

[@The_S1ug303]

I just realized that they missed their chance to name their channel “the bear necessities” THE SIMPLE BEAR NECESSITIES FORGEZt ABOUT YOUR WORRIES AND YOUR STRESS sorry but this was a really good and helpful video

[@lynwoods6503]

Only found your channel yesterday. I was in a house fire as a small child and the pyrophobia that I developed was, well, pretty inconveniencing and embarrassing. I dealt with it as an adult by learning all about the science of fire (mainly as it related to buildings) and mass panic behaviour in emergencies. But, as a professional gardener and woodland worker, I decided to be the best fire setter I could be. It was also because I was really disgusted by colleagues who would throw diesel (kerosene?) fuel around to get a big brash fire going. My (usually intelligent) boss once demonstrated the effects of a high energy accelerant, by throwing petrol (gasoline) onto a lacklustre fire. He will not be doing that again. He wasn’t hurt, but the verbal burn I gave him was something I was something to behold, apparently. I have a flint & steel, a baggie of sheep’s wool (I also make felt) and cotton wool balls. I always save bits and pieces of wood waste for tinder (elderly, knackered laundry baskets are great for this!). I have a Kelly Kettle so can start a fire in a monsoon if necessary (although I’m a Brit, so we don’t have them). Boiled water in minutes plus all the embers you need for a proper fire. And I taught myself to make charcoal. I still won’t tolerate candles indoors. They killed my friend’s ex-partner and their child when one ignited the tv.

[@jackvoss5841]

I really appreciate your analytical approach here. The IR camera gave us info that we had not had before. Thank you. To be fair, one of the reasons that the inverse fire lasted longer is because it had about twice as much material to begin with. Then, the inverse layup extended its life. It would have been interesting to have seen an example #4, and have it be a Dakota hole layup. Maybe another time? A favorite quick-short lived fire of mine is built in a shallow depression. Using the back edge of a boot/shoe heel, spin around a time or three to dig out a bowl. Lay twigs in an inverse tepee. Shave off all bark and debris from the end 4”-5” of a couple twigs. Dip the clean ends into the gas tank of your motorcycle. (You DID bring one of those along, didn’t you?). Recap the tank! Lay those wet ends into the bottom point of the tepee and drop in a match. Add water to your camp pot and set it on the fire. If you want to have a prolonged cooking fire, first lay 3 stones about the size of a golf ball into the sides of the bowl depression as a pot support. Arrange them to do their job. Then lay and light the fire. VOILA! Courtesy of Half Vast Flying

[@TheBearEssentials]

The inverse fire had the exact same material as the others, I stacked them evenly and weighed them all too! Each received the same amount of tinder as well. A pack pouch worth. That dugout is a great idea, and yes I’ll likely compare some advanced and nuanced fire lays like the Dakota pit one day in the future too!!

[@eendraa]

Man DJ, you’re a bushcrafting scientist!! Do you think we can combine a log cabin fire on top of a reverse fire set up? Log cabin protects the tinder and reverse fire to reduce maintenance.

[@TheBearEssentials]

Hahaha I can’t possibly claim that title.. but I definitely do a lot of experiments! (Only the fun ones) 🤣

[@secretservice1816]

Great use of modern tech 👍🏼

[@glenngardin3561]

Nice video! We start with a teepee, then when it is going good, transition to a log cabin style. We do this for exactly the reasons you stated: Teepee's start easiest, and log cabins require the least maintenance.

[@m.a.r.t.i.n.]

Great video! Thanks 👍

[@OhCanada-wk3kl]

Great and useful bushcraft insights! Very useful for anyone who spends any extent of time out in the bush; however, unfortunately not really practical right now with all of the forest fires and campfire bans.

[@blueeyeswhitedragon9839]

I always set my tinder bundle on top of a thin layer of firewood. Then l proceed as shown in the videos, usually building a combo teepee/log cabin type. I do this to prevent any moisture from the ground affecting the fire, especially during the beginning stages. Ground moisture can "steal" heat from the tinder/kindeling...giving off steam and hindering the fire start up . Sometimes l use a big piece of tree bark to build the fire on...use what you got.

[@reginalynn9856]

Thanks DJ, great video ! ❤

[@TheBearEssentials]

You’re welcome, thanks so much for watching!!

[@gscop1683]

For social firepits...roasting hotdogs, marshmallows et, I have always used the T-Pee....though with much larger starting wood. Clearly with smaller T-pee wood there is more maintenance. the cabin style to me is more useful for the late fire you want to retain coals. Many thanks !

[@theirishwaterboy]

As a scientist I love your video

[@theodorefloch2283]

I wanted to ask you what your jacket was it is so nice ! Incredible video by the way thank you so much !!

[@TheBearEssentials]

Hey! The Jacket is made by Fjallraven, if you want, heres my affiliate link to the jacket on campsaver: bit.ly/421nhX3

[@marko7969]

Wow, great, informative video man 😎 Keep it up

[@TheBearEssentials]

Thanks Marko!

[@BiggMo]

Also… reverse fire is best when you have wet ground.Your tinder is up off the wet soil

[@TheBearEssentials]

Great addition!

[@glenbmulcahy]

Great video DJ. Love the almost forensic attention to detail mate. Interesting, informative and above all really useful 🤜🏻🤛🏻

[@TheBearEssentials]

Thanks Glen!! I always enjoy reading your comments, much appreciated and thanks for watching

[@VilkasG]

you went a little cheap on the kindling with the teepee and that's why you had to add more later. usually by the time the kindling is almost burned the thick stuff is already burning. and the thick pieces are supposed to be more leaning on the kindling than on eachother so when the kindling starts falling down the bigger logs fall down and then wedge against eachother lower and closer to the ground and the already burning kindling. i usually use newspapers for tinder and i can get a good fire in up to 5 mins. i use a good amount of kindling that gets going fast and if there's some wind it's gonna be igniting like crazy.

[@johnevans4867]

Thanks!

[@NothingToNoOneInParticular]

I'd love more info on the self feeding fire. Great vid, my favorite is the reverse fire as well.

[@Scoobystyle]

A lot of people do not realize the efficiency of the top down fire, as the coals heat the wood underneath, it releases wood gas, which is the actual fuel. Less wasted fuel and forms much better coals!

[@TimberrlandOutdoors]

Good work with this video , very informative , gives me Great ideas for my new video ,thank you my friend 🌲🌲👍

[@basfromamsterdam]

thank you!!!

[@peterdonnelly6804]

What a fantastic subject. ❤

[@games68775]

Great vid

[@d.williams9610]

I like my college campus fires the most out of all campfire types 😊

[@JSV739]

Thanks for incredible content

[@flyingnow4233]

Thank you so much for your easy-to-follow instructions. Even a novice like me can feel more confident and comfortable with being in the outdoors thanks to you.

[@TheBearEssentials]

This is exactly what I was aiming for, I’m so so happy it helped!

[@jacquelinejohnson7541]

I like the second and third fire it looks better for boiling water on or cooking 👍🤗🇬🇧

[@TheBearEssentials]

Ya those both produce some great coals!

[@jacquelinejohnson7541]

@@TheBearEssentials thank u for showing this one never knows when they are going to need this 👍🤗🙏💖🇬🇧

[@tobep7964]

thanks for the vid, i will deffinatly burn less socks this way lol

[@kevinsmith3476]

I still can’t start a fire guys 😭😭😭

[@elijahthesage8510]

It’s harder than expected for sure. It really puts into perspective the mystic nature of the element. If one could control fire and conjure it with ease, imagine what else that individual could achieve

[@ChrisFar]

Awesome video!!! the IR cam gives a nice insight into whats actually going on with the heat distribution of each fire, super cool to see. Personally Ill always love the classic tee pee fire the best just for that quintessential "camp fire" look, but the reverse fire is crazy efficient and its utility cant be understated. Also, nice to see the Pack Pouches aka Foraging pouch being used for their original purpose!!!!

[@TheBearEssentials]

Thanks man! Ya can’t beat the look for the teepee fire… it’s like the symbol of relaxation to me 😬

[@insanityknows]

You asked what content that I would want to see in visual format. I would like to see more bushcrafters address issues with bugs, especially mosquitos. I have been trying to find other ways of dealing with them besides chemicals deterants. Do campfires keep the mosquitos away only when smoke is on you or does it make a no fly zone? Anyway, i think there should be more videos from bushcrafters on the subject.

[@TheBearEssentials]

Sure. I can do that. Campfires do. The smoke will cause them to keep away, but the smell of smoke on you isn’t enough - it’s the actual smoke in the air that does. But also any minty plants close by, thermocell’s or bug spray with Deet work well too.

[@insanityknows]

@@TheBearEssentials Thanks! You are doing really well with your channel by the way.

[@shackleton72]

Could you make a video on how to make a fire , with nothing , in a damp northern English wood . Is that possible?

[@ollieox9181]

I measure fire starting success by how many matches it takes to get it going. One match, I'm gold. Two matches, not good but sh*t happens. Three matches or more, I suck at fires and I suck at life. The ONLY method that has given 100% success - single match, every time - for the past two years since I started using it is a slight variation of the top-down method that you showed here. Lay down 3 split logs on the ground - this will help protect from wet patches or rain. Cross some smaller, split, kindling on top of those logs. Then again with kindling. Make a 3-level Jenga puzzle. Then put your tinder and paper and shredded wood and birchbark on top. Light 'er up. The tinder drops to the lower levels and gets them going. It works every single time. No maintenance. Just sit back and watch it go.

[@alisdar1234]

Have you done a video on how to minimise smoke in the face? I am guessing the stones in a U help with that? Is there a technique for when no stones are available?

[@TheBearEssentials]

Yes there is! I'll do one!

[@joanyadhatan]

2:06 all is well, apologies should have been made only for the idiotic Fahrenheit-based temperature :) 3:00 nice comparison method 6:25 Reverse Fire: "(little to) NO maintenance required", required lengthy maintenance after ignition

[@barbtudinoTravelAgent]

Love it! So cool with the heat reader showing the inner temps. Another great video!

[@TheBearEssentials]

Thanks so much!!!!

[@mikejeffsteel]

Excellent video!

[@TheBearEssentials]

Thank you very much!

[@haarismian9380]

Which one lasts the longest? I find that my wood burns up too fast

[@TheBearEssentials]

The reverse fire seems to burn the longest

[@xscale]

Build a log cabin or teepee on top of a top-down fire ...

[@TheBearEssentials]

Great idea!!

[@vladimirlumbab8723]

what if we combine the 3 styles, lowest is the upside down fire followed by the log cabin fire then above is the tipi fire? tinder will be lit above the upside down fire...

[@timhorton8085]

Watching this video, i realize i basically stack a reverse fire. An upside down reverse fire? Is it just a "fire" at that point? Anywho, i lay two medium fuel logs parallel on the ground with a gap in the middle. I get a bird's best going and lay it between the logs. Perpendicular to and across the logs i lay small kindling. Across and perpindicular to the kindling i lay some medium logs. Then across that i lay some fuel logs. I give each layer time to start smoldering before adding the next. Its very efficient for building small fires that quickly reduce to coals for cooking. Theres often no collapse and the only maintenance is actually raking the fire down to get a good coal bed. Excelent for putting a grill grate over as its super stable and reduces to a very even bed of coals.

[@wolfenstein6676]

Great information as always, it's amazing the temperature differences created in each fire simply due to how they were built. Cheers for the video.

[@TheBearEssentials]

Thanks brother, ya I honestly didn’t know what to expect when I was doing the test. Was really surprised myself! Useful to know when to use each one now

[@bullgravy6906]

What kind of fire do they build in old western movies that burn for hours on a single log while they sleep?

[@johndododoe1411]

For random outdoor trecking, it's important to know how to build and light a fire without a stone lined fireplace and without pre-dried wood, just a tool of ignition and available vegetation. Obviously this is inappropriate on an overcrowded trail or camping area, this is for wilderness survival.

[@TheBearEssentials]

Great call. I’ll do a video on this in the future too!!

[@vanzijlp]

Old dog learning new trcks. Thanks

[@queenjocelyn4711]

I’ve never been camping but I am taking my grandchildren camping for their birthday near the beach. Should I just pick up some wood around my home? I don’t there’s not going to be any trees there.

[@funnyshorts7420]

I learnt 4 knots from you thank you mate ❤❤❤

[@TheBearEssentials]

That's great! Thanks for watching, im glad you learned those!

[@pathfinder_strider]

Where's the reverse cowgirl fire?

[@jacquelinejohnson7541]

I like how u have put a later of stones round I haven't seen that before ☺️

[@TheBearEssentials]

Thx Jacqueline, it does a good job of reflecting heat and keeping the wind gusts at bay

[@jacquelinejohnson7541]

@@TheBearEssentials wow brilliant Ur ways are more professional to what I've seen a very clever man ☺️

[@paranoia666...]

Watching for school gang 👇🏽

[@Daranto]

Thank you for using Celsius and not Fahrenheit

[@TheBearEssentials]

I had to bc I struggle with the conversion myself lol

[@lefterisbampaidis5446]

Don't be sorry for the Celsius. It's only 13 countries in the world that use Fahrenheit.

[@MyOwnShedOfLight]

Sooo how come no one just carries a lighter and hemp whick to start a fire?? LMAO Rubbing alcohol creates LESS maintenance, if you have it on you :) I do none of these styles......I just throw it all together xD LOL!!! I like that last one though. When I'm cooking though.....and it's last minute to start a fire, a small one will go into coals within perfect timing, if you're making something quick. I hate waiting for coals, which only happens if I don't properly plan.

[@ansarsufitube6464]

🧑‍🍳👍😭🌏🇦🇪

[@mjremy2605]

Great content but the continuous low background music hurts the ears. Why add music. Your voice and natural sounds are enough. Don't embellish a perfect video. I have to unsubscribe as I cannot bear this droning noise - it really hurts my ears. Such a shame.

[@D9everything]

Man I've said it before - you have the best outdoor/bushcrafting/skillset videos around. Not only the quality of your cinematography and editing skills, but unique applications and solid data. Can't remember seeing anyone use a moisture meter in a fire test comparison video before. The only thing in your way now is time for the algorithm to catch up, so just don't quit - gonna be some views, some views, some views, BAM!!! Even if it takes a year.

[@TheBearEssentials]

Thanks so much for saying this. It’s some good motivation and feedback to keep going. Made my day!

[@MoonLoverThe]

I agree with the stranger, the quality in this one is amazing!

[@woroGaming]

The algorithm just brought me here 😁 Really liked this video!

[@traezaX1]

And more and more views 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@justindibbens4934]

​@@MoonLoverThe mì8😊

[@tannerdavisr]

If you want a good tip for an easy and cheap fire starter, just save the lint that gets caught in your dryer at home. That stuff is super flammable and you'll always be getting more. I keep a plastic bag full of it for when we go camping as an easy fire starter.

[@TheBearEssentials]

Great idea! And if all else fails grab some from the ol’ belly button 🤣

[@tannerdavisr]

@@TheBearEssentials 😂

[@me2videos]

But you can also get hair in it and different materials and some might burn better than others and it could just smother it NorthOfTheBorder went over this before

[@maxgotts5895]

Take the lint, put it in an egg carton, and cover the top with Vaseline for an incredible firestarter. A tip handed down to me by a random person at a camp-but it really works!

[@Crazytesseract]

How about saving pencil sharpener shavings for fires?

[@YanickGirouard]

The log cabin fire technique is definitely my favorite and what I use most of the time. I find it much easier to add wood to it later without making it collapse because the coals naturally form a pyramid that the new logs can lean on without crushing the structure, compared to the teepee one. I also just start with a split log base to make the fire on, and if it's windy I protect it with some vertical logs stacked around it also. I find it also makes the best camp fires. The reverse fire is definitely the best for getting good coals for cooking, but doesn't make as good of a campfire when you just want to enjoy a good flame and light the campsite at the same time. I tend to completely avoid the teepee technique unless I want to smell like smoke and spend half the time rearranging the logs to prevent it from smothering itself.

[@WhispyWoods.]

I’m really glad the algorithms guided me your way. Very well done and informative video. You really have all the tech gadgets to measure different fires 👏

[@TheBearEssentials]

I’m so glad you found the page.. and thanks for the kind words! I think it will take a while to build all the likeminded folks here, but welcome to the community :) -DJ

[@samgraham6355]

I have seen other videos on this topic that were not nearly as detailed. Thank you for making this and being detailed with amount of wood, how much water is in that wood and thermal readings. Well done.

[@TheBearEssentials]

Thanks a bunch, k wanted to try and make it as scientific and unbiased as I could

[@lynwoods6503]

That’s exactly my impression from watching only a couple of vids. Mr. Essentials is a natural educator.

[@pacman_17]

I was wondering about the tradeoffs between these campfire builds. Very informative video.

[@TheBearEssentials]

Thanks so much, I always wanted to do a legit experiment myself.

[@psychedguitar2716]

I used log cabin fire the other day when cowboy camping. It kept the bugs away and when I build it right it lasts me quite a while before I need to maintain it.

[@inthegreatwide]

This is so, SO helpful. Thank you for your attention to detail on all of these.

[@CampfireExperience]

Great tutorial, thanks.

[@conitorres9774]

First time seeing your videos, glad they’re on my recommendation. I’m at zero level as I’ve never been camping, didn’t go to Girl Scouts either. But I love nature and learning about how to go on in it. 👍

[@BigPictureYT]

I like to use two logs with about a 6 inches diameter, I set them up parallel to each other with the gap pointed toward the prevailing wind. I put my tinder bundle between the logs and lay twigs like your log cabin fire. As the tinder and twigs burn, I add more and larger twigs, log cabin style. Once I get a nice bed of coals, I add bigger pieces. By then, the two main logs are burning well and I fill the gap with medium sized pieces. As the main logs are consumed, I push them closer together and add more twigs. Long lasting and easy to cook on and maintain.

[@WayneTheSeine]

Here is a fire making tip from an old man. A lot of people advocate digging a shallow fire pit.....I advocate building a fire mound, not a pit. Why, number one it provides better ventilation and more importantly, if it rains water does not flow into your fire and fire pit. I have left my campfires at night by burying a round under ash and coals and cover the throw down grill with my gridle. I have seen it rain all night and get up the next morning and still be able to bring it back to flame. Even if it goes out, at least my firelay is not flooded.

[@Crazytesseract]

Sir, they did not even bother to reply to your comment. I shall surely implement this technique next time. Thank you.

[@WayneTheSeine]

@@Crazytesseract Thank you sir.

[@jeremyarcus-goldberg9543]

Using the thermal gauge was the kind of scientific information I always wanted but have never found in an outdoors class or video before. Thank you!

[@andydawson5587]

What an outstanding tutorial: a meticulously scientific approach, allowing us to note with confidence the conclusions reached and put them to work in the field. Subbed straight away... keep 'em coming, comrade.

[@matsolemasuhr4713]

love your vids, looking forward to seeing more! i also really like the brown jacket you are wearing.. can someone please tell me the brand name?

[@TheBearEssentials]

Thanks so much! It’s an Anorak by Fjallraven, here’s a couple links for which I get a small commission if you’d want to help support the channel :) No worries if not tho! *FJALLRAVEN ANORAK* ➡ *Moosejaw* bit.ly/Fjallraven-Anorak-Moosejaw ➡ *Backcountry* bit.ly/Fjallraven-No-8-backcountry

[@TaterChip91]

Should do a smoke factor kinda thing. Like what type of fire produces the most/least amount of smoke

[@TheBearEssentials]

This is a great idea! I’d have to find some way to quantify or measure it is all.

[@aluminiumknight4038]

The reverse method is best of you want to burn some thick logs without cutting them up

[@TheBearEssentials]

Agreed! Star fire is a good one there too, which I will cover eventualy

[@righteousrat]

Man, I learned a lot from this video.

[@TheBearEssentials]

Oh awesome, thank you!!

[@maryamalkhairy2547]

Thank you, DJ! True, we need to relearn these essentials. Thinking if someone goes swimming and then needs to dry off, can't say which fire lay to choose from. The reverse fire may burn hotter but it takes longer to reach that point. May not be suitable also if weather conditions are harsh. Teepee and cabin seem more appropriate for the job. Feel free to give your thoughts. Keep up the great work and here's to 2023 vids! 👍

[@TheBearEssentials]

I think you’re absolutely right . The reverse would take too long to get going!

[@AllWeatherFirestarters]

Great Video and Channel! Any chance on maybe doing a product review of our Firestarter?

[@uuuultra]

Thanks for making this video! The quality is on a whole nother level

[@EveaGornall]

Wow such a scientific experiment. Very helpful, thanks!

[@utubeape]

Brilliant test. I suppose you could use the teepee style if it is raining so that the wood protects the inside while it gets established, and you could also build it on a bed of wood to make sure. It would be interesting to know which fire made the rocks hottest lasting longest. Maybe it would help to have a few feather stich shavings on all the logs of the upside down fire , so they have their own kindling

[@TheBearEssentials]

That’s genius!!

[@mesugo]

WOW! Friggin' science, I LOVE how much detail and diligence went into this test, super impressive and helpful knowledge! Definitely going to binge watch more of your stuff, thank you!!!

[@FREEbird9471]

I just use the first in which it is NO work, because I put HUGE pieces of wood so it takes forever to burn out! Wet wood too. I lay wetter wood all around the edges to dry as the fire rages. My fire isn't that small though.

[@jackvoss5841]

Have you ever boxed in the utility fire lay with 4 logs of, say, 3”-4” diameter along the outside edges? Gives a longer lasting fire that is contained embers. Courtesy of Half Vast Flying

[@dmenis5354]

Damn it, yt algorithm. I don't regret clicking this, wow this is genius.

[@weston.weston]

I enjoyed this gentleman's presentation. I am going to subscribe, there's a lot I can learn.

[@maxgotts5895]

What's your take on a backlog-basically a lean-to with your largest log on one side and the tinder hidden under tinder making the "roof" of the structure?

[@KootenaiKing]

I've gone with the cabin-base fire because it's easier for me to get a big fire going. Next week, Im working as night security for some campers. I have to stay awake at night to keep any animals away, and my fire is my friend. I like to dig down and make the pit wide so I can get some big flames going. But after seeing the reverse fire, that seems to resemble the fires I make. I lay some tinder down, then a row, then more tinder and another row.