Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Making a Swedish torch - 1

Last weekend, we made a so called Swedish torch. This is a piece of log which is burning from the inside. You can use a Swedish torch to cook on, or to grill sausages above. You can also use it to warm yourself by or just to create some atmosphere - preferably when it's dark.

To start with, you need a piece of log. Any kind of wood will do, as long as it doesn't come from a freshly cut tree.

Place the log straight up on the ground and use a chain saw to make two cuts in it - at right angles to each other - from the top down. If you're using a log with a bigger diameter than we're using in this example, you can make three cuts - star like - in stead of two.

This is how the log looks like after that.

On top of the log - in the middle, where the saw cuts cross - you put some kindling (small pieces of dry wood, little branches, bark etc.).

Now, it's time to light the fire.

If all goes well, the kindling will start burning.

To be continued...


  1. Next time I go backpacking in the wilderness, I must remember to take my chainsaw. :)

  2. Just take your axe and split a log into four pieces. Drive these into the ground a little bit apart from each other. Put some stones around them to keep them together. This works pretty well, too.


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