Any wet firewood tricks?

Last time we went to the coast we purchased wood from the camp host. Wet wood, was very hard to get going, I found that splitting twice the amount of kindling I usually split and building an upside down fire sorta worked,,very smokey,I then used a Fusee out of my trucks tool box, lit it and placed it in the center of my UD fire, as it was burning I fed it more and more kindling, this created a good base of hot coals that got it going good, kept it going by using the kindling/larger wood technique.
I will try the bag of cheap coals next time,it seemed that the coals dried the wood out as it was burning..

One of the hand pumps made for blowing up air mattresses work also. Used one years ago on a very wet, cold weekend. We also have used a huge tarp that we used just for going over the fire on raining days. Just make sure it is tied up very high and secure. And before the rain comes.

How about an ounce of prevention and buy a tarp to keep the wood dry. Then starting it is not a problem.

Caveman Charlie wrote:

hyattjlbb wrote:
Someone already mentioned the Fritos and I was skeptical. A couple of years ago I tried it to cure my curiosity. I made a handful size pile in the firepit and held a lighter to it for about three seconds. Not only did these delicious little snacks burn but they burned big and hot for about 10 minutes!! Ever since, pile of Fritos, small wood, large wood then lighter and fire. Amazing what we eat!

Makes me wonder what it has been doing to my digestive system all those years when I was a kid and used to eat them. lol I guess if anyone ever leaves some behind at my campsite there will be a good use for them. Too bad you can't get a fire started with orange pealing's or stuff like that. I eat a lot more of that sort of thing these days.

Too bad they don't 'burn the fat' as well :) They'd be the perfect snack!

hyattjlbb wrote:
Someone already mentioned the Fritos and I was skeptical. A couple of years ago I tried it to cure my curiosity. I made a handful size pile in the firepit and held a lighter to it for about three seconds. Not only did these delicious little snacks burn but they burned big and hot for about 10 minutes!! Ever since, pile of Fritos, small wood, large wood then lighter and fire. Amazing what we eat!

Makes me wonder what it has been doing to my digestive system all those years when I was a kid and used to eat them. lol I guess if anyone ever leaves some behind at my campsite there will be a good use for them. Too bad you can't get a fire started with orange pealing's or stuff like that. I eat a lot more of that sort of thing these days.

Someone already mentioned the Fritos and I was skeptical. A couple of years ago I tried it to cure my curiosity. I made a handful size pile in the firepit and held a lighter to it for about three seconds. Not only did these delicious little snacks burn but they burned big and hot for about 10 minutes!! Ever since, pile of Fritos, small wood, large wood then lighter and fire. Amazing what we eat!

AO_hitech wrote:

AO_hitech wrote:

oilslick wrote:
Google upside down fire.

Thanks for that. I will HAVE to try that next time!

I tried this on our last camping trick and all I can say is wow! Almost starts itself, just need to light a single piece of paper and your done. You do need to make sure you have the right amount of kindling, but that's it. Burns nice and hot, much less smoke. The fire will burn for hours unattended. We also used less wood. I'll never build a fire "right-side up" again. :D

I'm glad you tried it, it really is amazing, a fireman showed me some years ago and I couldn't believe how well it works.

I like TOM-N's suggestion, and in fact built something along those lines (but not nearly as impressive)

Split the wood, the center will still be dry and the outside will dry as the center burns.

WHat I did:

LP regulator from an old gas grill

Conduit.. In one end of the conduit I cut a pair of "Windows" about the size of the air admittance gate on the grill.. I put a slight bend about a foot beyond that and starting a few inches past the bend drilled holes. around 3/16" as I recall (Size not all that important) finally the far end is hammered flat and bent over to close it off.

Slide it under the fire ring, (Does not work well with these new concrete safety rings less you can figure out how to get under) and light the flame, pile the logs on top.

Basically: Gas fireplace.

I have found.

End of pipe in it gets red hot
End of pie with regulator remains cool to the touch (This is important)

I feed it with a hose from a tank at a distance.

I remove kill the gas flow (At the tank) remove the regulator once fire going good and set them well clear of the pit.

Remove the pipe (OVe-Glove is nice for this even if pipe was cool when you removed the regulator.> Why take chances) and set aside as well.

AO_hitech wrote:

oilslick wrote:
Google upside down fire.

Thanks for that. I will HAVE to try that next time!

I tried this on our last camping trick and all I can say is wow! Almost starts itself, just need to light a single piece of paper and your done. You do need to make sure you have the right amount of kindling, but that's it. Burns nice and hot, much less smoke. The fire will burn for hours unattended. We also used less wood. I'll never build a fire "right-side up" again. :D

Old school (from back in the Army Line Unit days...)

Sharp Buck knife.... and a Zippo. Nothing beat early morning
hot water shave from the steel pot and canteen cup. Ah...the simple
pleasures. Ha !

Charles