Campfire Lay Styles

You will need...

• A fire pit or safe fire area
• Tinder (eg. wood shavings, bark, seed heads, cotton wool, flamer)
• Dried kindling or twigs
• Medium and larger logs
• A flint and steel
• A bucket of water (have you seen our purpose made metal fire buckets?)

1. The Star

The star method was often used by West Indian tribes who wanted to conserve their low supplies of wood, unlike a traditional fire which burns all of the log at once, the star fire only burns one end therefore decreasing the amount of fuel used.

How to do it - Place four or five logs in a star shape (like spokes of a wheel), then lay your kindling or twigs and tinder in a teepee shape over the centre of the star. Light the tinder and as the logs burn push them into the centre of the fire. 

2. The Pyramid

A pyramid campfire lay (sometimes called an upside-down fire) is a good choice for a slow long burning campfire that also requires less attention.

How to do it - Place the large logs on the bottom with smaller logs layered on top, this creates a pyramid shape. Then place the tinder and kindling on top and light. The fire burns downwards and will also dry the ground as it burns, making it a good choice for starting a campfire on wet ground.

3. The Teepee

Perhaps the easiest method, and a common choice for many frequent firelighters! The teepee is easy to get started, but does require frequent addition of more fuel.

How to do it - Place your tinder in the centre of your fire pit, add twigs or kindling sticks in a teepee formation over the tinder and light. As the fire burns gradually add larger twigs and sticks until eventually progressing to logs.

4. The Parallel

Alternatively called 'the long' fire lay, the parallel method is a good option for providing a platform for cooking, if you haven't got a tripod or cooking stand available as the two large logs at the bottom can provide a stable surface for your pots and pans. The shape of the fire also allows air to funnel in often resulting in a hotter burning fire.

How to do it - Find two large long green logs to be the base of your fire. Lay smaller twigs or kindling sticks between the two logs lengthwise, on top of your tinder and light. The green logs will provide a boundary for your campfire and ensure they burn slower and remain stable for your cooking utensils.

5. The Lean To

A good lay to master in preparation for unfavourable conditions! The lean to style can provide protection for your sparks in windy and rainy conditions, although there is less of a flow of air for the fire to burn, so it can take some persistence.

How to do it - Select a large stable log, if firelighting in windy/rainy conditions place this in your fire pit on the side the weather is coming from. Place your tinder next to the log (on the sheltered side) and lay small twigs and kindling sticks up against the log over your tinder. Light your tinder and watch the fire carefully, you may need to blow the sparks until the kindling takes!

6. The Log Cabin

A traditional favourite, resulting in a large, hot fire which requires less attention once going!

How to do it -Start with a small teepee lay over your tinder with small twigs or kindling sticks. Then select some larger wood to start your 'cabin', place one piece on either side of the tinder, then lay two more pieces on the alternate sides resting on your first logs. Keep building in this way until your cabin is the same or a similar height to the top of your tinder teepee. The light the tinder.

Which fire lay is your go to method? Why not challenge yourself and see if you can start a campfire using all 6 methods!

Activity idea for groups:

Divide into groups of two to four people. Assign each group a fire lay and see who can get a fire going the fastest!
If working with smaller groups, set a timer and experiment with each method, which was the fastest? Why do you think that is? (amount of oxygen circulating the fire, size of tinder etc.)

Top Tips:

The secret to all good campfires is in the preparation, ensuring your have dry tinder and wood will make the process much more enjoyable!
Take a look at our full range of campfire equipment to find everything you may need, from tinder to flint and steels to fire pits!

Don't forget to tag us in your outdoor adventures on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok! We'd love to see your firelighting experiments.