The upsidedown fire has some very useful applications

In this video I will show you how to build an upside-down fire also known as a pyramid fire. Now before you get all crazy the fire isn’t “actually” upside-down, it simply burns from the top down. Unlike traditional fire starting methods taught by the Boy Scouts and military that rely on the log cabin or tee-pee method the upsidedown fire has some very useful applications.

In this video I will show you how to build an upside-down fire also known as a pyramid fire. Now before you get all crazy the fire isn’t “actually” upside-down, it simply burns from the top down. Unlike traditional fire starting methods taught by the Boy Scouts and military that rely on the log cabin or tee-pee method the upsidedown fire has some very useful applications.

Here are some of the benefits and best use cases for this type of fire.

1. Cooking – as this fire heats up it will consume itself from the top down allowing it to stay very hot considering the fuel it consumes is below it.
2. Fireplaces – due to the nature of the fire burning top-down it generates an immense amount of heat and does not require tending.
3. Windy conditions – although it seems counterintuitive this fire does very well in high wind conditions.
4. Snow and ice – with snow on the ground you want the heat of the fire to be removed from the frozen ground.
5. NO BABYSITTING – my most favorite aspect of this fire is not needing to babysit or mess with the kindling or logs. This give your more time to worry about cooking or visiting with friends. Check out this video for a side-by-side comparison of the pyramid fire verses the tee-pee fire: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvIDS…
6. Very hot! – because logs are not covering the fire and the coals are top this fire burns hot.

Here are some of the downsides to this type of fire.

1. Wet wood – because the fire is on top of the pile the heat does not dry out the wood below it effectively. If the fuel wood has been left outside it will burn very slowly.
2. Raining – again since the fire is started on top if it is raining with any type of vigor you will have a bad time, try instead the tee-pee method.
3. A lot of fuel – In order to enjoy this fire for an evening of trouble free maintenance you’ll need a number of logs witch is hard to come by in some cases like backpacking.
4. Emergencies – again because this fire needs fuel if you are in an emergency situation you might not have the time to properly gather the wood. When it is life/death situation get something going quick with what you have, a tee-pee fire with twigs would be a good first options.
5. Very hot! – because logs are not covering the fire and the coals are top this fire burns hot, so do not park your tent right next to this fire. Make sure to try this fire out before you burn down your campsite.

The fire in this video took place in a state park that does not allow for outside wood. I apologize if that offends the extreme flat landers arm chair quarterbacking from their couch but I won’t be ticketed over a simple demonstration.

Now this is how you create a bonfire that not only sure to impress your friends but give you lots of s’more making capabilities.