Talk to me about campfires

[happyhorse]

We're staying at a site tomorrow that allows proper campfires and I quite fancy a bit of a blaze, but I'm totally clueless. I've never even done a fire in a fire pit or BBQ. Could somebody please give me a step by step idiots guide?

www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/facts/pdfs/fs315076.pdf

If that doesn't help you...!!!

Well that was pretty comprehensive. Thanks. Is it pretty standard to dig up some turf first? If it is I'll need to forage in the shed for a shovel.

Not generally on a campsite, happyhorse. Beyond the Scouts, that is more for wild camping. Usually on a site you will find a firepit or an area on your pitch where there has clearly been a fire before. Ideally, it is better to use an already burnt area for your fire rather than destroy another patch of grass if you possibly can.

Don't forget the marshmallows and sticks...

What site is it happyhorse? Most site that allow them will give you something to contain them rather than letting you dig up the site

They will usually sell you wood (and firelighters too) so it all ends up being rather straight forward

And yy to marshmellows, yum.

Even better, make S'mores did this with the kids camping this year and they declared them the best thing they had ever eaten

This is the site. It's not far from where I live so we're just going for one night, but if it turns out to be as fabulous as it looks it could be a regular place for impromptu sunny weekends.

Marshmallows, and choc digestives.

happyhorse that site looks fab, have bookmarked

Take some firelighters - it makes it all so much easier.
Make sure you use seasoned wood - i.e wood that has been cut several months before. Otherwise you get terrible smoke.
You don't need a huge blaze like a bonfire.
If you take foil you can wrap baking potatoes, or bananas, or just a selection of cut veg (roastable sorts of veg, with olive il, herbs and some seasoning) in the embers.
If you are going to use a campfire regularly you will v soon want a campfire grill which has an iron stake and a grill of ajustable height so that you can cook directly over the fire, or maybe a tripod with a grill and a dutch ove, and then a pie iron for toasted sandwiches and easy burger cooking - even actual pies made from scratch!

Meanwhile you can start cheap and light with campfire gadgetry with a toasting Fork - an ingenious sprung wire fork that clamps tight onto any old stick to make a really good toasting fork for sausages, marshmallows or toast.

Oh - tip number one: Have a bucket of water or sand close by in case of sparks or the grass catching fire. It is better to have the fire within a circle of bricks or stones if possible.

Thanks Blu.

Gobblers, I'll come back and let you know what I thought of it.