Forget Portable Power Stations, Here’s How to Make a Swedish Torch

One log stands alone on an open area of land, waiting for the transformation to begin. Someone with a chainsaw approaches, and within minutes, that single piece of wood is split up and transformed into a steady burning fire capable of warming hands, boiling water, and cooking a meal. This invention, known as the Swedish Torch, takes scarcity and simply whacks it away with a few straight cuts and some dry tinder.

Soldiers on the field during cold winters a few centuries ago required a reliable source of heat without constantly seeking for branches or kindling. They devised this strategy back when dry firewood was as uncommon as a bright day. A single piece of dry wood, properly adapted, will burn longer and cleaner than a large pile of sticks all over the place. The flame sucks air up through the channels you carved out of the wood, creating a natural draft that keeps the fire going strong.

First, choose a substantial log that is about 16 to 24 inches tall and at least 8 inches wide. Dead, seasoned wood is ideal since it looks attractive and contains little moisture. A tree that has died on its feet or a fallen log that has had some time to age are frequently the best options. Hardwoods, such as oak or birch, burn longer, whereas softwoods, such as pine, burn hotter and faster because to the natural resins they contain.

Stand that log on its flat end to keep it from tipping over, and a chainsaw makes quick work of the job. Cut down from the top, stopping just shy of the bottom to keep the base intact. Make three or four incisions that cross in the middle; when you glance down, you should see a star or wedge design emerge. This divides the top into parts while leaving the bottom entire.

The cuts create a series of tiny tunnels that act as chimneys for the fire. Air enters at the bottom and sides and rises through the wood, fuelling the fire from the inside out. This design effectively draws in oxygen, allowing the flame to burn continuously downward rather than simply blazing out and dying.

Drop some dry tinder in the center, where the cuts all meet. Birch bark, pine needles, or a handful of little dry twigs are all suitable materials. Light it up with caution. Once started, the fire will spread along the inside surfaces of the wounds, with flames rising from the top as the log consumes itself from the inside out. A good torch can burn for several hours on just one piece of wood.

Even while the fire burns, the top portion remains flat and can still be used for cooking or other purposes. Simply place a saucepan or skillet on there; the heat distributes evenly, and the flame is much more resistant to wind and rain than a ground fire. There’s no need to fuss over it; simply add additional tinder at the start if needed.
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