CAMPING HACKS

How do you make an upside-down fire? 10 tips to build a fire like a pro

Image: Siim Lukka

Bradbury was right; it is a pleasure to burn. Whether you're out in the wilderness or simply enjoying a backyard campfire under the stars, starting and maintaining a fire is both a joy and an essential skill. Fortunately, fire is one of humanity’s oldest companions, and we have devised thousands of ways to build and keep it. Whether you need warmth, a cooking flame, or just ambiance, there’s no single way to build a fire. To help you master this art, we've compiled 10 expert tips to ignite and sustain your fire. Maybe you’ll impress your friends or family on your next camping trip or barbecue!

Image: Nathan Lemon

Tinder is the foundation of any fire. Make sure to gather dry, easily combustible materials like dry leaves, grass, pine needles, or birch bark. These materials catch fire quickly and help ignite larger pieces of wood. Also, kindling can help bridge the gap between tinder and larger logs, building up the heat necessary to ignite the main fuel. Beforehand, find small sticks, twigs, or split wood pieces with a hand axe to accelerate the process.

Finally, if you are away from civilization, always bring reliable fire starters like waterproof matches, a lighter, or flint and steel. In antiquity, people used time-consuming techniques like friction or even resorted to carrying embers in their backpacks, but modern fire starters fit conveniently in your pocket.

Image: James Wheeler

Fire is a chemical reaction that requires oxygen to keep burning. Ensure there’s enough space for air to circulate through your fire structure, and avoid packing materials too tightly, as this can easily smother the flames, leaving you with a smoking (and cold) mess.

However, while oxygen is crucial for sustaining a fire, too much air can be problematic, especially when you're starting it. As anyone who has tried to make a fire on a windy beach can tell you, strong winds can easily disrupt the process. Fortunately, you can shelter your fire by creating a windbreak with rocks, larger logs, or other materials to protect it from strong gusts.

Image: Tijana Drndarski

It may seem obvious, but wet or green wood doesn’t burn well. It produces a lot of smoke and can even extinguish a fire you've already started. If dry fuel is scarce, you can start a smaller fire and use it to dry larger logs by placing them around or above the flames. At home, store your firewood off the ground or in a sheltered area to keep it dry. Having a designated spot for your wood allows you to store green wood and let it dry until it's ready for use.

Additionally, different types of wood are better suited for various stages of a fire: hardwoods, like oak or maple, burn slowly and steadily, making them ideal for sustaining a fire, though they can be harder to ignite. On the other hand, softer, more resinous woods, such as pine or fir, make excellent kindling due to their quick ignition, but they burn too rapidly to be used as the primary fuel for a long-lasting fire.

Image: Jen Theodore

Exercising proper fire safety can make the difference between having a warm, pleasant time next to a crackling fire, and experiencing a dangerous, potentially destructive situation. Always clear the area around your fire pit, keep water or a fire extinguisher nearby, and never leave the fire unattended.

When you are done, make sure to extinguish it completely. Douse the fire with water, stir the ashes, and ensure everything is cool to the touch to prevent accidental wildfires. Properly extinguishing your fire ensures that the only lasting memory is the good time you had, not an unexpected disaster.

Image: Colter Olmstead

There are myriad ways to build a fire, but knowing which type is best suited for different situations can be game-changing. The Lean-To fire is ideal for windy conditions or when you're short on dry materials.

Start by planting a long, sturdy stick or larger log into the ground at an angle. Pile tinder and small kindling against the inside of the log. Light the tinder, and as it catches, lean larger sticks and logs against the main one, creating a shelter-like effect. Alternatively, you can use rocks or any kind of solid structure as support for a Lean-To fire. This setup shields the flame from the wind and helps it grow steadily.

Image: Sage Friedman

The Teepee fire is a classic and efficient method. Start by arranging your tinder in a small pile and place kindling around it in a cone shape, as if forming a small teepee. As the fire ignites, the flames rise through the kindling, setting it alight. The heat generated by the initial blaze will help ignite the larger logs you add next, keeping the fire going strong.

However, note that this method often requires more attention at the start compared to other techniques, as it is often more exposed to the elements. Also, you can't add larger pieces of fuel until the flames and heat are sufficiently strong. This initial vulnerability means you'll need to closely monitor and adjust the fire to ensure it catches properly and builds up enough heat to sustain larger logs.

Image: Jackson Hendry

The Log Cabin fire structure offers stability and a long-lasting burn. Start by laying two large logs parallel to each other, then place two more logs on top, perpendicular to the first pair, creating a square base—just like building a log cabin.

Continue building up in this criss-cross pattern, leaving the center open. Then, fill the center with tinder and kindling, and light it. The stacked logs will provide a steady fuel source, while also creating a sturdy structure that is ideal for cooking.

Image: Dan Edwards

The Swedish Torch, also known as a Canadian Candle, is a self-contained, long-burning fire. Legend has it that this ingenious method was developed by Swedish soldiers during the Thirty Years' War to keep warm when dry wood was scarce.

To make one, split a large log into four or six segments, leaving the base intact. Note that this usually requires a saw, as a hand axe can easily split the log completely. Alternatively, you can split the entire log and then tie it together with metal wire. Once your log "torch" is prepared, place it upright, put tinder in the middle, and light it. The log serves as both the fuel and the holder, while the vertical slits allow air to circulate, feeding the flames. This method provides a stable, concentrated flame, perfect for cooking or distributing heat over a larger area.

Image: Katie Drazdauskaite

If you love a good campfire but hate the smoke, the Dakota Smokeless Fire might be perfect for you. Designed for stealth and efficiency, this method is widely used by the United States military due to its low light signature, reduced smoke, and ease of ignition in strong wind conditions.

This style of fire pit originated with the Dakota people, who used it for hunting bison on the windy Great Plains. To build one, dig two small holes about a foot apart and connect them with a tunnel. One hole serves as the fire pit, while the other acts as an air intake. This setup not only minimizes smoke and maximizes heat but also increases fuel efficiency, helping to conserve wood.

Image: Josh Clemence

The Upside-Down fire is an unconventional method that burns from the top down. Begin by placing the largest logs at the bottom, then layer progressively smaller logs on top, followed by kindling, and finally tinder. Light the tinder, and as it burns, it ignites the layers beneath it.

This counterintuitive technique can be a lifesaver in certain situations, as it ensures a slow, steady burn that requires much less maintenance. It provides a consistent heat source for longer periods, making it ideal for situations where you need sustained warmth or cooking time without constant tending.

Unavoidable words

I’m, you’re, we’re: These 12 common contractions help us talk faster

Image: Vitaly Gariev

Aside from their use to describe the pains of childbirth, contractions are little shortcuts that make English sound natural and easy in everyday speech. They work by blending words and dropping letters, usually with an apostrophe standing in their place. We all use them daily, often without even thinking about it. Let’s take a look at 12 of the most common ones.

Image: Fatemeh Heidari

The first item on our list is the contraction of "I am." It entered English centuries ago, as speakers sought smoother and faster ways to communicate. Here, the apostrophe replaces the missing "a."

Today, "I’m" is one of the most common contractions in both conversation and casual writing. You’ll hear it everywhere—from introductions like "I’m John" to everyday statements such as "I’m hungry."

Image: Adi Goldstein

"You’re" blends "you are" into a quicker form. The apostrophe stands in for the dropped "a." Its use became widespread in both spoken and written English over time.

Today, "you’re" is essential in everyday communication. Whether in texts, casual notes, or speech, most people favor it over the more formal "you are" in informal settings.

Image: Jonas Kakaroto

"He’s" is the contraction of either "he is" or "he has." The meaning depends on context: "He’s running" means "he is running," while "He’s gone" means "he has gone."

It’s one of the most common spoken contractions, helping speech and writing sound more natural. You’ll see it in conversations, books, and movies, adding natural flow.

Image: Ruben Ramirez

There’s no "he’s" without a "she’s." This contraction can mean "she is" or "she has," depending on how it’s used. Like many others, it reflects the natural rhythm of spoken English.

Like its masculine counterpart, "she’s" is an everyday staple, heard in phrases like "She’s ready" or "She’s been there." It makes speech and writing quicker, more direct, and more conversational.

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"It’s" is the contraction of either "it is" or "it has," with the apostrophe marking the missing letter. It is often confused with its, the possessive form (as in "The dog wagged its tail").

In current use, "it’s" is one of the most common contractions in English, referring to things or animals. Common sentences like "It’s cold outside" or "It’s been fun" show just how indispensable it is.

Image: Jerry Zhang

"We’re" is the contraction of "we are," with the apostrophe replacing the missing "a." It has been in use for centuries as a way to make speech and writing smoother and more efficient

Today, "we’re" is common in everyday English, especially in collaborative or group contexts. You’ll hear it in phrases like "We’re going out" or "We’re ready."

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"They’re" blends "they are," again with the apostrophe marking the missing letters. It’s often confused with the homophones their (possessive) and there (location), which makes it challenging for many learners.

Today, "they’re" is frequently used in both speech and informal writing. Common examples include "They’re happy" and "They’re working," showing how practical and natural the contraction is in everyday English.

Image: Francisco De Legarreta C.

"Don’t" is the shortened form of "do not." Its first known use dates back to the 17th century, when written English began reflecting casual speech.

Today, it’s one of the most common negative contractions. You’ll hear it everywhere, in phrases like "Don’t worry," "Don’t move," and "Don’t forget." It may be informal, but it’s practically universal.

Image: Jen Theodore

"Can’t" contracts "cannot," with the apostrophe replacing the missing "no." This form has been part of spoken English for centuries, reflecting natural speech patterns.

Today, it’s one of the most common contractions, used to express inability or prohibition. Phrases like "I can’t swim" or "You can’t do that" are everyday examples of its use.

Image: Zan Lazarevic

The third and final negative contraction on this list, "won’t," is the shortened version of "will not." Unlike most contractions, it does not follow the usual pattern of dropping letters, as it evolved from older English forms such as "wonnot" or "wynnot."

Currently, "won’t" is one of the most familiar negative contractions. Frequently used in speech and writing, it appears in everyday phrases like "I won’t go" or "He won’t listen."

Image: Tonia Kraakman

"I’ve" shortens "I have," usually when "have" acts as an auxiliary verb. The contraction drops the "ha" and replaces it with an apostrophe.

Today, "I’ve" is commonly used in casual speech: for example, "I’ve seen that movie" or "I’ve been there." It helps make everyday expressions smoother and more natural.

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"Let’s" comes from "let us," and has been used for centuries to invite joint action. The apostrophe shows the missing "u."

Today, "let’s" is common in casual English. From "Let’s go" to "Let’s see," it provides a friendly, inclusive way to suggest doing something together.