How To Make a Bonfire

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A good bonfire is the key to any number of outdoor events. Get the party started with these tips.

To complete this How-To you will need:

A fire extinguisher
Permission from local authorities
A large open space
A shovel
Large stones
Two handfuls of small twigs
An armful of medium-size twigs and branches
About a dozen fuel logs
Long fireplace matches
Newspaper (optional)

Warning: Use extreme caution when dealing with fire. Keep an extinguisher on hand and always check with local authorities before building a bonfire.

Step 1: Prepare the fire pit

Dig a pit six to 12 inches deep with a diameter of five feet. Place a ring of large stones along the edge.

Warning: The fire pit should be at least 50 feet from any buildings, trees, or cars.

Step 2: Collect the wood

Collect the wood. You'll need tinder, dry twigs eight to 10 inches long and no thicker than a pencil; kindling, pieces of wood eight to 24 inches long and no thicker than a wrist; and fuel logs, which can be up to 48 inches long and eight inches in diameter. Collect a variety of sizes for each kind.

Tip: The dryer the wood, the easier the fire will be to light.

Step 3: Position the small twigs

Put a bundle of the small twigs between two short fuel logs in the center of your fire pit. Position the bundle so it's leaning up against one of the logs.

Tip: For easier lighting, wad up newspaper and place it under the pile of tinder.

Step 4: Position the kindling

Lean two loose bundles of the larger branches against either side of the tinder pile. Lay a row of medium-size kindling across the two fuel logs.

Step 5: Stack

Lay two large logs on top of the stack, perpendicular to the two large logs at the bottom. Then, stack a few bundles of kindling between the logs and on top. Position each bundle so it's perpendicular to the one under it. Top the pile off with two short, fat logs, placed perpendicular to the large logs under them.

Step 6: Position vertical kindling

Lean larger, longer pieces of kindling vertically around the pile. Make sure to leave a gap in the kindling large enough for your arms to fit through, so you can light the tinder inside.

Step 7: Position the vertical fuel

Make a tripod around the kindling with the largest fuel logs; the logs should support each other where they meet at the top. Then fill in the empty spaces with more fuel logs, forming a tepee. Be careful not to destabilize the structure. Leave a space in the same location as the gap in the kindling so you can reach inside the stack.

Step 8: Light the fire

Light the tinder or newspaper at the bottom of the pile and monitor the fire's progress. If the tinder needs more air, gently blow on the base of the pile until it catches fire. Fill in the gap you left in the fuel log tepee and watch your bonfire grow.

Step 9: Fire maintenance

Maintain the fire by adding more logs like you would to any other fire. When the party's over, make sure to completely extinguish the fire before you leave the area.

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Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Recreation
• making
• throwing
• party
• backyard
• bonfire
• fire
• lighting
• outdoor
• events
• hosting
• creating
• setting

[thatbrownguy]

permission from local authorities my ass

[Pingoo124]

yeah that's what i was thinking too

[MrTexasboy99]

step 10 throw random shit in that you dont want

[kamiboy11]

thanks for the video, it wad helpful

[MattBoy53]

i accidently put the fire estinguisher under the fire...

[krazyxnina]

lmfao @ the comments

[micklelago]

fuk this, flamethrower FTW :D

[toysandguns977]

FUCK THIS DUDE I LOVE EXPERT VILLAGE BUT THIS IISSS SOOOO GAY MAN I WILL TELL YOU HOW TO MAKE A REEL BON FIRE.....Step1 get a ass load of wood and put it in a semi neat pile pour gas on it or oil ether way Step 2 Put a ass load off huge logs on it like hole trees and pour gas on it as well Step 3 Throe a match on it from 2 feet away and enjoy..... o and DON'T kill yourself

[sjukov76]

Fuck this weak ass shit, wheres the gasoline.

[junior1984able]

deos anyone know where to buy drywood in los angeles?

[suckonrange]

you can blow on the base of my pile :)

[titalius]

in scotland theres no law against having one because well no one cares if u have one or not tbh but they are good fun :P