How to Make a Bonfire with Lighter Fluid

Last Updated: January 7, 2023

Starting a bonfire is simple, fun, and a task that requires no previous experience so anyone can learn. Making a bonfire is also a great way to spend leisure time and have fun with friends and family.

Steps

1
Locate where you want to have the bonfire.
- Make sure the location is dry.
- Make sure the wood you want to burn is dry as well.
2
Place a couple of wood in the pit, and align them at an angle so they balance against each other as shown below. Align them so there is a gap near the bottom.^{[1]
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3
Tear large pages of newspaper or gather a bunch of twigs and leaves.^{[2]
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4
Set the newspaper on fire with the lighter and stick the first piece in the middle of the wood through the gap which you should have made before. You can choose to do this 2 ways:
- You can light the newspaper in your hand and then place it in the middle of the wood.
- You can place the newspaper in the middle first and then light it. If you are using twigs and leaves, place them in the middle of the wood FIRST before lighting them. They are smaller so it is unsafe to light them in your hand before placing in the center.
5
Take more pieces of paper and place them at different angles in the center of the wood to spread the fire and burn the wood balancing against each other.
- The newspaper will catch on fire, so place it in fast and quickly move your hand out of the fire pit.
6
Take the lighter fluid and carefully pour it on top wood. Pour from as far as possible because flames will shoot straight up.
- Move your hand away fast so you don't burn yourself; the lighter fluid will catch on fire very quickly. Do not lean over pit when doing this.^{[3]
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7
When you notice the fire starting to go down add additional wood onto the fire and use your stick/ metal rod and carefully move the wood around so it all is burning evenly.
- At this point, the fire should be burning pretty well. Watch out for the heat when moving around pieces.
- Keep adding newspaper to the pit and/or very small amounts of lighter fluid to the wood.
8
Repeat the process of using your stick or metal rod and carefully moving the food around, whenever you notice the fire to go down again^{[4]
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9
Finished.

Community Q&A

Question

Wont the lighter fluid explode?

Community Answer

It is not advisable to add lighter fluid to a fire already lit. This is dangerous and could lead to serious burns. A safer way to use lighter fluid to make a bonfire is to put the fluid on the wood, add some paper, light a match, and throw the match on or in the fire. This should catch the stack, paper, and lighter fluid on fire.
Question

How do I use gasoline safely?

Community Answer

Only add it little by little, don't just put it all on there or it may start a bigger fire than what you want or catch other things on fire.

Warnings

Bonfires can be extremely dangerous if the steps are not followed correctly

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The newspaper will catch on fire so place it in fast and quickly move your hand out of the fire pit.

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At this point, the fire should be burning pretty well. Watch out for the heat when moving around pieces.

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Do not play with fire because it can lead to burns, body disfigurement, and even death. Be careful and responsible while making a bonfire.

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It is preferable that the person using lighter fluid during the process has had some experience using it for extra safety.

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Be careful when using lighter fluid; it catches on fire extremely fast.

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Things You'll Need

Twigs/Leaves
Newspaper - store bought or from the mail carrier (along with twigs and leaves, newspaper is used to getting the fire going initially and helps burn the large pieces of wood)
Lighter
Wood - store bought or from your backyard
Pit Ground/Metal Stand
Charcoal Fluid
Thick ½ inch diameter stick/Metal rod - store bought or from your backyard
Lighter fluid