By Emily Woodbury
For me, the best part of camping is the campfire. Then again, I tent camp (and I don’t own an RV), and I only go camping a few times a summer. So, my views might be skewed compared to yours. So let’s see:Â Say you spend 100 nights in your RV, how many of those nights do you think you’d make a wood campfire?
Here’s what you told us a couple of Saturdays ago when we asked you that exact question. A little more than a third of you said that out of 100 nights, you’d never have a wood campfire (whaaaaaaat?). Additionally, a little under a quarter of you said you’d probably only make a fire once or twice. A smaller 15 percent of you would make a fire somewhere between three and ten times, and 9 percent of you would have one somewhere between 10-20 times. How many of you would have a campfire more than 20 times? According to the poll results, about 19 percent of you.
Many of you left a comment saying that you use a propane firepit, which, sure, it gives off the same ~*~vibe~*~, but it’s not the same thing. Many others of you wrote that you’d have a fire more often if you stayed in places that allowed them, or weather and environmental conditions permitted.
Reader “livingboondockingmexico” commented: “Even though we are avid boondockers, in 20 years of RVing mostly in Mexico, we’ve only had a fire once. Too much hassle, smoke, and worry about starting a fire. Better to just sit outside under the stars and enjoy our favorite beverage while we chat. Good times.”
Jillie commented, “I can’t start one so I don’t have one. Even lighter fluid does not work.” Oh dear… Anyone want to help poor Jillie out?
Reader Diane M. is my kind of gal. She commented, “Gosh, to me it isn’t camping without a campfire. It’s my favorite part of camping.”
Steve S. has a neat tradition for his campfire. He shares, “We have our ‘forever’ campfire.
This started with the first campfire we had with our RV. (As an aside, before retiring, like a good Boy Scout, we douse the fire with water to ensure it is completely out. Always. No exceptions. Even if we will have a campfire the next day.) The day that we are leaving, I take any remaining coals and store them for the next camping trip. These become part of the fuel for the new campfire. So, every campfire we have is made from the previous campfire. The forever campfire.”
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, and as always, thanks for voting. Make a campfire for me tonight, will you?
##RVDT1291
I’m so much happier with my propane fire pit I’ll never go back to wood, my neighbors are too Cleaner and safer!
When we are camping we have a fire everyday. At home I have every Friday off and I may have a campfire on Friday’s.
Hi Jillie, I am one of those who do 20+ fires per 100 nites. I am also lazy. I have found the most efficient way to ignite a fire is with 1) Duraflame 4-1/2 oz fire starting “brick”, 2) Zippo Ronson MDX torch, refillable butane.( Any propane torch will suffice), 3) fire tongs & 4) flat 16″ x 16″ cardboard to fan the fire. (Miller Lite case works fine)
I break the waxy fire starter brick into 3 pcs. Position those pieces in the fire pit so one tilted split log can be placed over each piece with the bottom of the log contacting the brick. Before positioning the logs, start each brick individually with the torch. No paper needed! Once the bricks are burning strongly: position the logs. Once the logs ignite: fan the flame as required to get a roaring fire going. Use fire tongs to reposition wood as necessary.
Sounds like a lot but I can get a roaring fire going in under 10 minutes. I keep all my campfire essentials in one basement bin on the class A motorhome. (seasoned firewood also, bought from the area, of course.) I gave up on the paper & kindling method 20 years ago. I camp year round in northern Michigan.