Ah, to be the master of your own…flame. Such is the endeavor of every campfire builder in existence. Whether you’re at your permanent home-away-from-home campground, roughing it in a remote location, or just having friends over in your backyard on a warm summer night, there’s a primal instinct that takes over when building a campfire.
Safety Check
One of the most vital elements of any campfire is the safety factor. Ensure your evening doesn’t go sideways and become a night to remember for all the wrong reasons by checking the boxes when it comes to ensuring a safe and secure setup.
1. Contain the Flame
Just like in real estate, it’s all about location when it comes to a safe and successful campfire. Obviously, you want a spot with nice, flat ground that’s well away from overhanging branches, dry grass, or any other flammable materials. But to further ensure your fire stays where you lit it, consider setting it up inside a steel campfire ring. The bottomless ring helps create an impenetrable physical barrier so the fire never gets out of control, and also helps contain stray embers. Many styles feature a foldable design that’s highly portable, making them very travel-friendly campfire accessories.
2. Fire Extinguishers
Aside from never leaving your campfire unattended, you’ll want to have a few key items handy in case you need to quickly extinguish an errant flame. Sure, the usual bucket of sand or water is usually fine, but it’s also a great idea to keep an actual fire extinguisher at the ready. This compact and lightweight option from Element does the trick, and is far more affordable than some other more traditional choices.
3. Get the Party Started
Unlike those devil-may-care campers who enjoy dousing a bunch of brush in lighter fluid, tossing a match, and yelling “Let ‘er rip,” you may want to try a safer and less terrifying approach to lighting your campfire. We applaud your thoughtfulness—and recommend gathering some choice logs and kindling with an efficient log carrier bag that helps keep dirt and spiders off you and your clothes, and then using a safe fire starter square or stick that can easily ignite your flames, even in wet conditions. It’s a little less dramatic than the lighter fluid method, but significantly decreases the chances of taking an ambulance ride to the nearest hospital.
Upgrade Your Culinary Credentials
Welcome to camping in the 21st century, where there is a plethora of cooking accessories available to help you turn an everyday campfire into a gourmet kitchen. Who said you can’t whip up a 4-course meal over a campsite’s open flame?
4. Roasting Sticks
While fine in a pinch, that sharp stick you found in the woods doesn’t have to be the go-to method for roasting your favorite spear-worthy goodies. Rome Industry’s Campfire Roasting Fork is an absolute game-changer, featuring a solid wooden handle and extendable steel arm that will prevent you from having to get too close to the flames. If you’re looking for something a little more cost-effective to equip the whole family with, Camco’s Telescoping Roasting Forks come in a pack of four, with little covers to protect the sharp ends, as well as a handy storage bag.
5. Grilles & Grates
If you’re looking to cook anything more than marshmallows and hot dogs, you’ll need some more specialized campfire accessories. Grilles and grates are great solutions, as they allow you to suspend food or other cooking equipment, like pots and pans, over the flame for a true outdoor culinary experience. There are plenty of styles to choose from, but some of the most popular include a stake-and-grille setup, classic tripod frame, or trusty grill basket. Any one would make a great addition to your camp kitchen, and can be used to roast everything from burgers and steaks, to veggies and seafood.
6. Cookware
Aside from the staple cast-iron frying pan, campfire cookware has made some fun and resourceful strides. Check out Rome Industry’s square pie iron, designed to make the perfect ooey-gooey grilled ham and cheese for those late-night cravings, or opt for the round style that crimps the corners of the bread to make the perfect breakfast sando. Looking for something fancier? Try the brand’s cast-iron panini press, sure to make you the envy of the campground.
Sit Back, Relax, And Enjoy
Now that safety is ensured and your culinary prowess is ready to shine, it's time to kick back, unwind, and bask in the cozy glow of your campfire.
7. The Perfect Camping Chair
A comfy and supportive chair is a must if you plan to spend hours contemplating life and relaxing by the fire. When it comes to this corner of the market, Lippert Components truly has something for everyone. Choose from a sturdy straight-backed chair with built-in accessory side table and drink holder, a high-backed rocker, an adjustable recliner, or even a cozy loveseat for two. You can never be too comfortable when it comes to getting max enjoyment out of a campfire at the end of a long day.
8. A Cozy Blanket
Cuddling up with a comfy blanket enhances almost any lounging experience, but especially on a chilly night in front of a campfire. Check out Camco’s soft fleece and polyester covers in fun designs, as well as Camp Casual’s luxurious picnic blankets which feature smooth decorative fabric on one side and a velvety-soft faux fur on the other for the best of both worlds.
9. Upgrade Your Atmosphere
If you really want to impress your friends and family, turn your regular old campfire into a kaleidoscope of color with Rutland’s Rainbow Flame Sticks or Crystals. You simply add them to your fire and sit back and watch the long-lasting blue, green, and purple flames dance and enchant.