Fire Lay Picker

Which fire lay suits tonight? Tell the picker what the fire is for, what the weather, wind and ground are like and which tools you have – it recommends the best of eight classic campfire types, with building steps and alternatives.

How to use the fire lay picker

Choose the main purpose: quick boil, cooking, warmth, all night, or signal and light.
Set the weather (dry, rain, snow) and the wind (calm, light, strong).
Choose the ground: dry soil, wet or boggy, or snow.
Tick whether you have a saw or axe for bigger logs and whether the fire should stay small and low-impact.

The best match appears with a short description and building steps, followed by a comparison chart and two alternatives.

How it is calculated

Eight fire lays are scored: teepee, log cabin, lean-to, star fire, long fire, Dakota fire hole, platform fire and upside-down fire. Each gets points for how well it serves your purpose – this counts three times, because it matters most. Points are then added for suitability in rain or snow and for wind resistance, which counts double in strong wind.

On wet ground or snow the platform fire gets a large bonus and the Dakota fire hole is effectively ruled out, as it needs dry, diggable soil. Lays that need thick logs (long fire, upside-down fire) lose points if you have no saw or axe. If you want a low profile, small and discreet lays gain points. The percentages show each lay relative to the best one.

Situation	Typical recommendation
Quick boil, dry and calm	Teepee fire
Cooking with pots	Log cabin or Dakota hole
Strong wind	Lean-to fire or Dakota hole
All night in front of a shelter	Star fire or long fire
Snow or boggy ground	Platform fire

Fire safety

Check local fire bans and forest fire warnings before lighting anything.
Clear the ground down to mineral soil, and in strong wind clear 3 m around the fire.
Never leave a fire unattended and drown it until the ashes are cold to the touch.
In rain, prepare three times as much fine kindling and feather sticks before you strike a spark.

FAQ

What is the best fire lay for cooking?

A log cabin fire gives stable, even coals and a flat top for pots. In wind or when you want to stay discreet, a Dakota fire hole is very efficient – but only on dry, diggable soil.

Which campfire burns all night?

A star fire, where long logs are pushed into the centre as they burn, or a long fire between two logs in front of your shelter. Both need regular feeding but use wood economically.

How do I make a fire on snow or wet ground?

Build a platform of wrist-thick sticks in two crossed layers and light your fire on top. It keeps the fire off the moisture that would otherwise put it out.