How to Start a Fire

What Order Do You Build a Fire Pit Fire?

The order is always: starter first, then kindling, then thumb-thick wood, then split logs — each layer sized so the flame below can dry and catch it. Most “the fire pit won’t start” failures are a layering-order problem, not a hardware problem.

The Four-Layer Order

Layer	Size	Amount	Purpose
1. Starter	One waxed wood wool roll	1 roll	Waterproof flame source, 10–20 min
2. Kindling	Pencil-thin dry twigs	2 handfuls	Catches from the starter flame
3. Intermediate	Thumb-thick splits	4–6 pieces	Builds coal base
4. Fuel wood	Split logs 10–15 cm	As needed	Sustained burn

The four layers, sized from the flame upward.

Two Rules That Prevent Most Failures

Never add a layer bigger than the flame can dry — a log dropped on new flame absorbs the heat and kills it.
Split logs burn even when the outside is damp — whole round wood holds moisture and stalls fires even with good tinder.

Products Used in This Guide

Classic Fire Starter Roll →

Keep Reading in This Cluster

Teepee vs Log Cabin: Which Fire Lay Starts Faster? How Do You Manage a Campfire for Cooking?

What Order Do You Build a Fire Pit Fire? — FAQ

How long from starter to full fire?

With a 10-minute roll: flames on twigs within 2 minutes, a self-sustaining fire by 5 minutes, and a coal bed ready for cooking in 30–40 minutes.

Why does my fire pit smoke so much?

Smoking is usually damp fuel or smothered layers — follow the four-layer order, use split rather than round wood, and keep airflow space between pieces.

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