Campfires, propane tanks, fuel safety, and fire restrictions explained.
For most car campers, tailgaters, and RV users, a portable propane fire pit beats a wood ring on convenience, burn-ban compliance, and instant on/off control. The trade-off is carrying a 20-lb tank and missing the crackle and smell of a real wood fire. If you want zero smoke, two-minute setup, and a fire you can…
Get a fire burning reliably in damp conditions, wind, or cold weather by matching your ignition tool to your actual camping scenario. The best fire starter for camping depends on whether you need waterproof reliability for wet-weather trips, a ferro rod for long-term durability, or a budget-friendly DIY option for car camping. Here’s what delivers…
For most campfire meals, you need just three things: a way to hold heat, a way to hold food over that heat, and a way to flip or turn it. The right campfire cooking equipment turns a smoky guessing game into something you can actually plan around. Below, we walk through the main cooking tools—grates,…
If you want a portable fire pit that works for both campsite duty and backyard evenings, the short answer is a propane-powered unit in the 19- to 21-inch range. Propane models light instantly, produce almost no smoke, are legal under most burn bans, and pack up in a carry kit. The Outland Living 19-inch 58,000…
The best firewood for camping depends on your specific setup: seasoned hardwood (oak, hickory, maple) gives long-lasting coals and steady heat, while dry softwood (pine, fir, cedar) lights fast but burns quickly with more sparks and smoke. A common failure is betting on resinous softwood for a whole evening – it will leave you tending…
The most important campfire safety rule is simple: never leave a fire unattended, and make sure it’s completely out before you leave. But even careful campers miss a critical step—a fire isn’t truly out until the ashes are cold to the touch. Embers can smolder for hours, then reignite when wind kicks up. This guide…
Controlling campfire cooking temperature comes down to three factors: the depth of the coal bed, the distance between the coals and the grate, and when you start cooking relative to the coal’s heat output over time. Manage all three and you can sear, roast, bake, or simmer over an open fire without burning the outside…
To start a campfire, you need three distinct fuel layers: fine tinder, split kindling, and seasoned firewood. The arrangement matters more than how much fuel you use. The counter-intuitive trick: keep your tinder bundle no bigger than a tennis ball. A tight, compact nest of fine material ignites quickly and produces a concentrated flame that…
During a fire ban, propane fire pits and propane lanterns are your safest campfire alternatives during fire ban conditions—but only if local restrictions specifically allow them. Many bans prohibit all open flames, including propane devices, so always check the exact wording before setting up. If allowed, these options give you warmth and light without the…
If everything around you is soaked, your first move isn’t to strike a spark—it’s to find dry material. Even after days of rain, you can usually locate dry wood inside a fallen log, under dense evergreen branches, or by splitting larger pieces. The key is to prepare your tinder and kindling before you light a…
