blowlogs

[gfitzge7]

I have never seen one of these babies in person, but anyone want to briefly describe how one is made. We may be having a bonfire on my friends land out by the Kings's and thought this would be a great addition.

[Eric Esche]

Rumor has it that you find hollow log 5-6 foot in length, with internal cavity from end to end and cavity being about 4" in diameter or more. Wall thickness preferably over an inch. Thin ones do not last long. Thicker ones sometimes last longer. Taller ones are harder to handle and stuff things in from the top without a ladder. You can notch a "V" in bottom for better airflow, but most logs will catch fire eventually. Can set vertically directly on fire, or on stones or bricks for stability, or outside of fire ring and pour coals in from top to set on fire. Log gets to roaring when it burns from inside like chimney fire. Sometimes will have flames from top 2 to 3 foot high, bright enough to light up a camp ground.

Pyros sometimes drop things down from a wire wrapped around a short segment of rebar wedged across top to suspend something part way down. Aersol cans like End Dust, hairspray, paint, Bacon grease, propane tanks, empty to full. If you see anyone do this, have them stand WAY back, like 100 yards or more for propane cylinders, empty or full. Shrapnel goes a long way fast. If log falls over, you can sometimes pick it up if outside cool enough.

Not that anyone would ever do anything dangerous like this or encourage others to do so. If you can't find a hollow log, try asking a logger to keep one back for you when he finds one and then pay him for it. Most loggers find them all the time.

Eric Esche

[Fish]

5 to 6 feet is a good starter log. Work your way up to the big leagues. :)

Definitely cut notches in the bottom for better air flow. Best to stake it out to prevent premature toppling over. Also best to set up the log and then shovel coals from a nearby fire into the top to set it on fire.

We'll have one at the NW Chapter Halloween Party on the 25th. Come on up for some free food, crazy costumes,and big blowlog!

- Fish

[Eric Esche]

Look up Blowlogs on youtube to see why we say get WAY back. I can say I was too close for my first one. I brought two logs to Tom's birthday party this spring. and we even did one on one of our Buffalo trips.

Don't have one yet, but am looking.

Eric

[shelbyjohnson]

I have never seen one of these babies in person, but anyone want to briefly describe how one is made. We may be having a bonfire on my friends land out by the Kings's and thought this would be a great addition.

Ahh the annual blow log discussion. Someone ought to write a contemporary history on blow logs. From a previous thread - years gone by...


Get a green blow log if you want to stay up longer... they're hard to find but worth the effort.