How to Make Fire in the Snow: The Wooden Campfire Ring: Art of Drying Wood

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and as always....
Stay in the Woods,
Dan

[@Wriskyy]

For some reason your energy makes me want to be nice to people

[@huaweimate1419]

Exactly how we do it in Russia when the snow is wet in the beginning of the winter. We use the spruce branches as a kindling and then feed the fire with any sticks available while drying wet logs around. I'd like to add a word of advice - in the winter, always carry some fire starter, just in case. Sometimes, when it's really damp outside, even the fatwood or birch shavings may be tricky to ignite with beloved spark. Simple fire starter is a "plan B" to light that fire, once you are beyond having fun and in real need of fire. Bushcraft isn't survival and there's nothing unholy in using a lighter instead of ferrorod from time to time 😊

[@Tom_Bee_]

Oh I couldn't agree more. If fire lighting is a skill, and it is, getting it done well is what matters. I love my old tools at home, but I'm not going to throw away my 18V drill driver or my chainsaw. And I'll keep the old bit and brace and saws, etc, for when there's no electricity or I feel like being slow and quiet.

[@louisp.3332]

The entire concept of using a spark is utterly ridiculous to begin with. I don’t even understand the theory behind it? And wherever that will work, so will a bic lighter. They last forever and I can fit a five pack in the same area as one of those stupid things!!! Useless piece of equipment a rod is. This is a classic and typical example of style without substance…

[@homesoulgrownhandmaidenoft5276]

@@louisp.3332it's bush ... craft. there are some people who appreciate his style. 2nd not every person in the world has or wants access to these amenities, even a ferro rod. 3rd having knowledge and visual education on different ways of doing things is the reason many ppl are interested. I'm sure there are plenty of other channels with lighters, matches, blow torches, and flame throwers which might suit your preference. Learning is fun-2-mental. 🤓👍Great content. Keep it up,

[@louisp.3332]

Unfortunately your reply makes no sense because it’s not just bush…..craft that has these. Literally every single video on survival or camping or any other concept shows them in use. And there is NO different way to make a fire, it’s been made the same way since the beginning of man…

[@homesoulgrownhandmaidenoft5276]

@@louisp.3332 I bet you feel so clever. In case you weren't aware of where you are this is Coalcracker Bushcraft channel he and other content creators may use the method of choice. your choice to watch or not. Have you thought of making a positive suggestion rather than negative criticism. And before ppl had ferro rod they were rubbing sticks together and other various fire starting methods. May I have the link to your video on the numerous ways and your fire starting methods of choice

[@lonester2797]

You're a great teacher. Your mastery of the subject means a complete beginner like myself can follow along easily, and I'm learning a lot from your videos. Thank you.

[@markdentoneagles5909]

Great info. Brother I'm an over 60 Marine, Christian and Papa. So I really just watch, but I love it. GOD BLESS and Semper Fi

[@matthewvelo]

That just seems so bloody obvious now that you've explained it. Definitely using that next time I'm out camping in the wet. Cheers Dan!

[@Tom_Bee_]

Living, as I do, in a damp environment, I can say this works for me. It's even possible to keep stacking the wood round and out in a kind bowl/stadium shape and dry a surprisingly large amount of wood by a relatively small fire.

[@MrAreee]

I'm rather new and planning to go nomad. However things can , and will, go wrong. This channel is giving me lots of tips and advise on how to handle when things go wrong. Thank you.

[@gundoctor4312]

Corporal's Corner is another good channel and Steve Wallace has some good stuff on urban/stealth camping 😀

[@Iron-Lion16]

👊😎

[@Iron-Lion16]

That's the fun of outdoor living, its challenges👊😎

[@Marble-qq3jl]

Check out ovens rocky mountain bushcraft. He is technically homeless, because he lives nomadic in the Canadian rockies

[@robertjohnson9525]

I taught the Weblos cubscouts how to do this 6 years ago at the Klondike winter campout. I laid pieces of wood on top of the snow back to build our fire on top of. They were just cooking dinner ( bratwerst) and heating water for hot chocolate but we had 3' of snow on the ground and didn't want to clear it all away from the ground.

[@ScoOutDoors]

So Dan you put the wood round the outside round the outside 💪🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿👍🔥🥓🍺

[@Leeofthestorm]

I really liked how you showed and told to split the wood into the dry center. Outer wood can appear dry in the cold weather but is often holding a lot of frozen moisture. Good tip for those who aren't aware of this. I can be a difference maker, especially when getting a fire going in damp conditions.

[@iranianlifestyle4622]

Wooooow Very beautiful place 😍😍 Good luck 🤞 I'm from IRAN & France 🇮🇷🇨🇵

[@marius11marius]

we can really see your passion when we watch your survival tipps

[@randallwalter9778]

Used the indoor equivalent of this after that pre-thanksgiving monsoon we got here in the Hudson Valley... Only had 3 pieces of dry wood inside, while the rest got soaked outside. Brought in what I could carry, laid it out in front of the woodstove and it was all dried out in time to feed the fire, then repeated throughout the day.

[@M00ND0G58]

Dan, this is an awesome winter trick. I have been doing this for years. One additional tidbit. At our camp we usually have processed logs bucked and split out and have the same issue with the snow. We turn them on end and use them as a makeshift wind block. This is another dual purpose as it dries out you rotate them in keeping your firewall and reflects back the heat. Great video! keep 'em coming!

[@francisdec1615]

If the winter is really cold and has lasted for a while, most trees are usually pretty dry inside. Spruce and pine wood can usually be used immediately in those circumstances.

[@becca318]

This is a good video for people first starting out, learning to build a fire.

[@DanCooper404]

I just had a similar little fire up at my camp near the Tug Hill area in New York State on Saturday. I was up there clearing brush, then made a fire and cooked some lunch. All the wood was wet and covered in ice, but I knocked as much off as I could, then dried it out by the fire before feeding it in. Let me tell you, fried eggs and sausages cooked in a cast-iron pan over a fire in the snowy woods was one of the best meals I've had in a long time. I cook on an old oven rack I got at a yard sale for 12 cents back about a decade ago. I make a small fire ring out of logs, then lay it on top.

[@catherinegrace2366]

Nice! Sounds fantastic and yummy!

[@lanecountybigfooters5716]

I love fire making. And here in Oregon, it's ALWAYS wet for the next 6 months. Definitely a good tip! I've been enjoying Bigfoot Bushcraft's fire starter plugs lately - good stuff, too. I bought it because I liked the name, but the stuff works well.

[@mdheinze57]

going backpacking this weekend and this is just the video i needed. thanks for the great content!

[@timllg]

How long of a trip are/were you on?

[@mdheinze57]

@@timllg just a short 3 day trip. very cold and wet and this was a great technique for drying out some of the marginal wood i had

[@timllg]

@@mdheinze57 Hey, 3 days is plenty if you're doing that makes you happy. I love fully embracing short trips because it forces us to be in the moment and savor the details.

[@Beowulfsurvival]

Common sense, great tips that we who only get out a few days a month on the weekends forget about, this is the kind of content I like to see, thanks brother. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@damimcute1]

Can't wait! A friend and I have started a tradition of going out for a couple nights the last weekend in January. So much fun! Lot of work involved, but still a damn good time!

[@harrywilde2178]

What's great about your vids Dan is that you've got an infectious enthusiasm for whatever you do!

[@troybranaman316]

That was some great advice Dan!! Thank you for all the free tools that you give us for our toolboxes!! Take care and stay safe my friend !!!

[@joeday4498]

I did this same thing a week ago in the wet Pacific Northwest. Had a campfire going strong for 5 hours straight.

[@magdatorruellas9122]

I miss Pennsylvania so much! Miss the snow and fall most. Moved to Oregon many years ago and got stuck here…

[@Dakotadarkwolf]

I really like this guy. I took a few years of survival course's back when I lived in Colorado. Use to go to the mountains and learn new things like some of the things this guy is teaching. It's really great, cause I am always looking for more tips on surviving out in the wild. You never know if you'll end up lost one day and these videos are great to learn! Thank you for sharing Coalcracker!

[@BeBopScraBoo]

ayyy he was on one of the early seasons of alone and did really well.

[@bobv8219]

Didn’t know a guy could light a fire. Thank you for sharing. Be safe

[@ahorseman4ever1]

I like to build my fires in the snow trying to build it from flint and steel or something challenging. Great tip to use wood fire ring. I especially like the laying the damp wood around the edges. I had always used the tipi method but now I think I'll use this method instead. Thank you!

[@northeastoutdooradventures3787]

Man I love this time of year, really love the challenge of making and keeping a campfire going in the bush!!!! Love it!!!! Nice job.😁😁😁

[@shovelhead8]

Awesome!. Thank you for showing it to us, Dan. Stay safe and stay warm

[@robertcole9391]

Good upload.. Many do this and don't realize the importance of it.. The best tool in your tool box as you say, is common sense.

[@truthfilter]

i love how straight to the point your videos are, excellent

[@foghornleghorn2445]

Birch bark and dead spruce bows. Best campfire fire starter I have found.

[@thx5001]

Thanks for the great advice. The other day I couldn't get any wood, from long standing wood pile, to light to cook my sausages. It must have been too damp. Then my butane gas cooker wouldn't work because it so cold the gas was condensing in the bottle.

[@johnd3233]

My wife left me because i couldn't get any wood either

[@miguelpimentel8539]

You give so many great tips for people to be able to survive for when SHTF

[@DebiB62]

Drying the firering wood and then feeding it and replacing it with more wet wood is a great tip! I hadn't thought of that before!

[@Prince.Hamlet]

I love this dude. What a great communicator!!

[@fogrider4121]

Yep, a great method that has worked for me for decades. Good stuff. Keep ‘‘em coming.

[@user-zu9ym2lw3i]

As always great tips for everyone no matter experience level. Went home to Pittsburgh from NC for Thanksgiving and kids where excited for snow flurries, they can't wait for trip up at Christmas to play in snow hopefully.

[@SebastianSynn18252]

Awesome vid!. I'm in PA too. As soon as I woke up and saw the snow I went outside to practice wet and cold weather fire making

[@swifty5804]

That fire ring thing is gonna be a huge help for me. Awesome trick. Currently in the snowy season and for the past couple weeks I’ve gotten into actually trying to do some primitive survival. I’ve got my shelter somewhat built, and I’ve seen multiple ideas for keeping warm such as using a Dakota fire hole. This video helps tremendously because I obviously want to try multiple versions of fire to best suit my needs for the wet and snowy season. Thank you so much I’m definitely gonna watch as many of your videos as I can as much as possible to help me with my journey. Primitive survival is a huge passion of mine 🙏

[@alfredocalzoni8161]

Thank you for your clear English. As a German with bad english "Hearing" it's very nice :) Oh, of course thank you for your Videos, Information and your Charme :D

[@nvincipality6371]

Makes so much sense! Don't live where it snows but the knowledge is nice to have just in case

[@ronaldrose7593]

Thank you Dan for sharing these great tips. It could be a life saver. All the best to you. 🤗

[@clivenewton7609]

Thx Dan, much appreciated 👍 here in the U.K. if we get snow it’s usually wet! I tend to favour the “upside down “ method, advantages being, self feeding and probably more important, self drying! As for disadvantaged……….there aren’t any lol 😂😂 Great video as always, looking forward to the next adventure. Regards from deepest Dorset England 👍

[@timllg]

Great tip to contain the fire without searching for rocks! I use wet wood for the foundation for my grate when I cook on the fire. Same concept, it doesn't catch fire right away allowing me to have time to cook on a stable grate

[@xvsj-s2x]

Excellent demo 👍 Thank you for sharing 🇺🇸

[@rogueraven7603]

Glad to see your haversack in the video. I have one of your haversacks and I love it.

[@evandorco5193]

Thank you you just saved me alot of work you have no idea how grateful I am. Going to be living off the land in Appalachia in January like full survival mode besides some store food occasionally. This could potentialy be a life saver.

[@mrse7en622]

Love your videos. Learn things I thought I already knew. And you know how to teach, which is not always the case on YT.

[@earlshaner4441]

Hi from Syracuse NY brother and thank you for sharing your thoughts and adventures in the snow

[@fanter3978]

Enjoy the cold weather totally agree with that

[@gwendolynnowlan2427]

wood camp ring!!!!! sweet this i had never thought of. i would keep my wood next to the fire to dry id have to rotate the pile to get both side and the middle was still wet. this is a great idea.

[@michaelmaier7262]

I have wood in various stages of broke-down in my backyard. I really need to burn it all up practicing fires before I chop down the other scrub junk that needs to come down too. Thanks for the tip on the wooden fire ring. Should come in handy.

[@lorikey6713]

Very nice. It's November 30 here in PA can't wait to try this.

[@kalstreksandtrails7606]

Awesome video my friend. You always have helpful tips. I finally learned how to tie a bow line knot thanks to you.

[@rocketman3474]

I’m jealous Dan. I’m in south Jersey and even though we’ve had some cold recently no snow yet. I was born in MA and lived in RI for a number of years and I don’t get many chances to go out and play in the snow like I did as a kid. I’m definitely going to need a bigger toolbox. Keep them coming.

[@wordivore]

Hey! I'm in South East PA just over the bridge. It's weird to see snow so close while we don't have any. I'm not so jealous though. Lol.

[@norXmal]

Nice having what I was taught confirmed, even learned a new trick with the knife 4:47 Thank you!

[@xTOPGx]

i live in Naples and here in the city NEVER snows , like 99,5% time NO SNOW and when it snow is like a miracle... and yet i really like to watch your videos because they very interesting

[@stevenjohnson7086]

Building a fire on top of snow is easily done but does require more material. A bed of green, fresh leafy branches interlaced gives a broad 'table' to support the weight of the fire. Next on top is thicker (80mm) fresh, green logs forming a base to build the actual fire on. Make those close and tight together. Build your fire as you see fit on top of those green logs. It will NOT last all night, but should last two hours or more before the green logs finally burn through. This method is convenient when you need a fire but are on thick snow and digging down to reach the ground would only result in a pit in the snow making it nearly impossible to build an effective fire. Often the safest campsite in winter snows is away from trees to avoid potentially deadly falling branches breaking under the weight of snow. That puts you in an open area which may be several feet thick with snow.

[@sandywieringa4434]

Another awesome one, Dan!

[@rovaan57]

Great video! Really informative and straight to the point, will definitely be using this in the future.

[@anniereddj]

Great information as always! Thank you, Dan!!

[@alldog222]

I was taught once you can even pull little pieces of lint, off say a wool sock, pockets ect..Just to get your tiny as possible tender started. I have never used it, and it would be a last resort But just thought I would throw it out there, as a thinking out side the box .

[@dmtnw4480]

Thank you a very useful tool to keep in mind until you need it

[@mat-ventures]

Thanks for the simple trick!

[@gordonstrong5232]

Love this guy! Great tips!

[@FinanciallySavvyParent]

This is so important. Thank you.

[@DD-uf2uo]

Here in the Southeast US we have a lot of pine trees that has an amber sap in it we call "Pine Lighter". It really helps get a wood heater going fast. Great info in your video. .

[@jakeells66]

Very good knowledge. Thanks Dan!

[@beanrunnerWA]

Dan, Dan the fireman!

[@befer]

Thanks a lot man!!! on december 22 me, my uncle and a few buddies were doing a cookout in the garden, and everyone was super cold, and i said " Hey! i can make a campfire" and everyone laughed at me, one guy bet me that if i can make that campfire then he'll be at the very least impressed. The same day, just earlier i watched your video on how to make a campfire in snow, and sure enough, i made a campfire work with about a feet of snow around us and wet sticks and firewood. So thanks a lot man! u made me win a bet!

[@gaiusaelius9613]

Thank you for another educational video. Respectfully

[@christopherj5780]

Been over in southern new england and found your channel couple years ago always good stuff Dan

[@treymcleod1876]

Love this tutorials! Keep up the good work 👏

[@jamiepittman4855]

Thank God I live in South Georgia. We get snow flurries once every 5 to 10 years. At the Georgia Florida line ..Still a cool video .. Keep em coming Dan 🤘

[@tigerlily2941]

Always love your videos. I have learned so many new tricks. Thank you so much. Also your kid is adorable ☺️

[@bodhixxx1]

great tips!!! I never would of thought of using wet wood for a "ring" and also get more wood ready to burn

[@ewscuba]

Thanks for all the awesome information

[@bogdanradubona7992]

Thank you . Great video .

[@justincoleman2740]

Great info! Thought I knew it all but I learned a thing or two. Cheers.

[@nyk3334]

Love this channel.

[@theprophetez1357]

I had to do a similar thing this summer. I was itching to go camping, but had to get caught up on things first. Meanwhile it rained everyday for 6 days. Needless to say I could not find dry wood, most of it was wet well beyond the bark. I split, and even debarked some of the wood, and placed it in a semicircle around my fire base so that it would dry. Then I learned a new trick that might be helpful to you. There were palm fronds in the area so I gathered some up. their dried brown leaves and stems. The leaves burn fast and intensely. The leaf stalks have like a waxy coating and fibers that Keep them from getting water logged. I split the stems and used them and some damp wood to get my wood gassifier stove going. By the time my water was boiling some of the surrounding wood was beginning to dry out. Then as usual I dumped the stove contents and built my campfire off of them. The moral of this story is if things are all wet, but there are Palm fronds available you can easily get a fire going.

[@TheLict0r]

Always love your content! Keep up the amazing work!!

[@danielkutcher5704]

Solid advice! I like to build a pyramid around the initial fire, once it's established. Many variations on this theme exist. 👍

[@timllg]

Hi fellow pyramid fire builder 👋. I love starting a fire this way because it gets roaring pretty quickly.

[@metted2745]

I love winter, especially the first four months. 😁

[@michalurbanful]

Nice tips! :) PS: It snowed for the first time this season here in the Czech Republic too. But unfortunately much of the snow did melt. I envy your snowy surroundings!

[@oldoutdoorsguy1157]

Yeah Michal, try saying that after shoveling a ton of that heavy wet snow off of your drive and sidewalks. It's one of the main reasons I moved to Florida back at the turn of the century!! My old, retired back couldn't handle all that lifting any more.

[@laineysilva3146]

sweet, Great tips. Thank you!

[@bknights64]

I live in Kinderhook ny and all around me they got up to 14 inches Saturday. Nice idea with the fire ring.

[@johnwyman5939]

Hey , That's a really good idea on the wood fire ring !!! Gonna definitely use it !!!! Dam good idea for the tool box... Keep up the good work!!

[@KettleCamping]

I agree!👍

[@DS-jh1bp]

Great video, thanks!

[@gamingcollection4448]

It makes perrfect sense and yet I didnt know this, Thank you for the tip

[@JamiedoesWildBikepacking]

Great vid, great tips. I'm definitely going to use the damp wood around the edge of the fire next trip. ATB

[@steveborgresistance8310]

Excellent work!👍👍🔥🇺🇸

[@jeffechols5302]

Excellent tutorial

[@shadowphoenix8962]

As always good tips.

[@OverOnTheWildSide]

Always excellent info here!

[@billrivenbark8983]

Why did I not figure this out? Great instructional video.

[@jeromeknasinski3862]

Good Job...love it

[@BBQDad463]

This is great stuff. Thanks for sharing this video. 😎