PREP Is this “stove” real?
- Thread starter Dennis Olson
- Start date
I see them outside stores in the winter, by the firewood rack...5-6 bitsy sticks of wood for 10bux. 
Also see a different configuration, more like a Dakota firehole.
A big hole straight down through the center with an intersecting air hole from the side.
Also see a different configuration, more like a Dakota firehole.
A big hole straight down through the center with an intersecting air hole from the side.
You can use a chainsaw and make plunge cuts from one end but do not cut all the way thurugh you want to leave 1/8 uncut and then make one or two plunge cuts close to the bottom from the side of the log to allow air to get in.
For anyone new to chainsaws! Careful with doing plunge cuts the saw can do what's called a kick back so hold on to the saw and the hand on the top hand grip bar to prevent that.
For anyone new to chainsaws! Careful with doing plunge cuts the saw can do what's called a kick back so hold on to the saw and the hand on the top hand grip bar to prevent that.
Last edited:
Yes. We used them when we did camping with the kids as a family and in scouts (both girl and boy). They aren’t quite as easy to cook on as claimed. They can also burn through and “collapse” oddly so what what you set on top.
saeurs
Senior Member
Yes, I have made several. They are pretty cool and really to burn for a long time.
John Deere Girl
Veteran Member
Yes, we’ve made several and used them.
Da Sveedish fire log, cooked on topless by Inga Svenson, daughter of Sven Svenson the Svedish fish monger.
I didn't get the topless picture, just da Svedish log.
I didn't get the topless picture, just da Svedish log.
That one is pretty cool-looking. It almost appears that a bit and brace was used to make a cook-supper-and-burn-all-night rocket stove., and maybe do coffee and breakfast next morning.Da Sveedish fire log, cooked on topless by Inga Svenson, daughter of Sven Svenson the Svedish fish monger.
I didn't get the topless picture, just da Svedish log.
So ja, wouldn't that be Inga Svendotter? Oofta!
saeurs
Senior Member
You can make one by splitting a chunk into 4 pieces then taking a bit off the inside point of each quarter then use a couple pieces of wire to hold the quarters together. Stick the bits of the inner corner between the quarters to keep good air flow and act as kindling. 3 nails in the top make a good pot stand.
cat killer
Veteran Member
If you want to cook on one drive four nails part way into the top to set the skillet on.
This looks like the one from MenardsDa Sveedish fire log, cooked on topless by Inga Svenson, daughter of Sven Svenson the Svedish fish monger.
I didn't get the topless picture, just da Svedish log.
WanderLore
Veteran Member
That's how we do it. I usually get 3 logs about equal size, wrap a wire couple times around it. Push the middl section open a bit and lit it with some tender. It works very good and we cook on it.
The "Swedish torch" is definitely a valid thing, from what I've seen anyways. Wikipedia isn't always the best source of info, but this article actually appears to be quite accurate. I actually have a log in our backyard that I might use to try this out on this fall, when it gets a bit cooler.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Swedish fire with sparks flying
A Swedish torch[a] is a source of heat and light from a vertically set tree trunk, incised and burning in the middle. It became known in Europe during the 1600s and is now used by forest workers, and for leisure activities (especially in southern Germany). Due to its flat surface and good embers, it can also be used for cooking. Compared to a campfire, it is more compact, and therefore several small heat sources can be distributed over an area.
Making and using two types (sawed and drilled) of Swedish torches in Kõrvemaa, Estonia (September 2022)
Oral tradition attributes the development of the torch to the Swedish military during the Thirty Years' War; using a saw or hacksaw or an axe, the Swedes are said to have made burning and glowing logs to warm their soldiers.[1] This method of providing heat meant that their troops did not have to carry their own firewood with them but were able to get supplies on site, as the freshly cut, green wood can burn due to the chimney effect.
According to the Finnish forest museum Lusto Swedish torch was invented by Finns in northern Finland. It was made by loggers to warm up and make food. In the 1950s when chainsaws became more popular it became common to make a carving to the halfway of the log and put it standing upwards.
A chainsaw is used to cut the trunk with two vertical cuts perpendicular to each other downwards while the trunk is standing. The cuts stop 6 to 8 cm (2 to 3 in) from the base so that the torch does not break apart. Normally, the trunk is divided into quarters by two cuts, or, in the case of larger trunks, in sixths (like a six-pointed asterisk) or eighths.[1] The cuts aid in air circulation, which helps the log burn.[1]
As the log burns, embers and coals fall from the top and into the cut slots. This ignites the log from within and keeps the fire going.[1] The log is easiest to ignite with paraffin (or lighter fluid), which is inserted into the side slots and also at the top at the saw cut point of the trunk. Rags soaked in oil are also suitable. Lumberjacks pour a little bit of their chainsaw fuel into the center of the torch. If a campfire is already burning, some embers placed on top of the log can make a Swedish torch.[1]
Choosing a safe place to set the torch is important due to flying sparks and possibility of it falling apart.[3] To ignite the trunk evenly, add some paraffin at the top. Depending on the size and length, the trunk burns between two and five hours and glows with intense heat. The glow in the middle of the trunk has a temperature between 1,000 and 1,200 °C (1,800 and 2,200 °F). After the torch has started burning, it is possible to place a pan on top. Before lighting, hammer three nails around the borehole or place three stones around the borehole, creating an improvised cooking surface.[4]
Swedish fire made without drill:
After an incision at the base, split according to A or B, C: split off section with a view of the "torch bottom"
D: removed core, assembled E: ready-made tree torch with ventilation hole
A burning Swedish torch (made according to the blast furnace principle)
Night shot of a Swedish torch in the advanced stage of combustion
Tree trunk with saw cuts
A bigger swedish torch.
Kettle on a swedish torch.
en.wikipedia.org
Swedish torch
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Swedish fire with sparks flyingA Swedish torch[a] is a source of heat and light from a vertically set tree trunk, incised and burning in the middle. It became known in Europe during the 1600s and is now used by forest workers, and for leisure activities (especially in southern Germany). Due to its flat surface and good embers, it can also be used for cooking. Compared to a campfire, it is more compact, and therefore several small heat sources can be distributed over an area.
Making and using two types (sawed and drilled) of Swedish torches in Kõrvemaa, Estonia (September 2022)
Oral tradition attributes the development of the torch to the Swedish military during the Thirty Years' War; using a saw or hacksaw or an axe, the Swedes are said to have made burning and glowing logs to warm their soldiers.[1] This method of providing heat meant that their troops did not have to carry their own firewood with them but were able to get supplies on site, as the freshly cut, green wood can burn due to the chimney effect.
According to the Finnish forest museum Lusto Swedish torch was invented by Finns in northern Finland. It was made by loggers to warm up and make food. In the 1950s when chainsaws became more popular it became common to make a carving to the halfway of the log and put it standing upwards.
Manufacture and use
A delimbed trunk, of a diameter of 30 to 60 cm (12 to 24 in) and a length of 50 to 150 cm (20 to 60 in) is required to make the torch.[1] The wood should not be too dry, otherwise it would burn too quickly. The best types of wood for light and heat are resinous softwoods: spruce, fir and pine. The best types for cooking are hardwoods like beech, oak, apple, ash or cherry, as they are less sooty and would not taint the meat.[2]A chainsaw is used to cut the trunk with two vertical cuts perpendicular to each other downwards while the trunk is standing. The cuts stop 6 to 8 cm (2 to 3 in) from the base so that the torch does not break apart. Normally, the trunk is divided into quarters by two cuts, or, in the case of larger trunks, in sixths (like a six-pointed asterisk) or eighths.[1] The cuts aid in air circulation, which helps the log burn.[1]
As the log burns, embers and coals fall from the top and into the cut slots. This ignites the log from within and keeps the fire going.[1] The log is easiest to ignite with paraffin (or lighter fluid), which is inserted into the side slots and also at the top at the saw cut point of the trunk. Rags soaked in oil are also suitable. Lumberjacks pour a little bit of their chainsaw fuel into the center of the torch. If a campfire is already burning, some embers placed on top of the log can make a Swedish torch.[1]
Choosing a safe place to set the torch is important due to flying sparks and possibility of it falling apart.[3] To ignite the trunk evenly, add some paraffin at the top. Depending on the size and length, the trunk burns between two and five hours and glows with intense heat. The glow in the middle of the trunk has a temperature between 1,000 and 1,200 °C (1,800 and 2,200 °F). After the torch has started burning, it is possible to place a pan on top. Before lighting, hammer three nails around the borehole or place three stones around the borehole, creating an improvised cooking surface.[4]
Swedish fire made without drill:After an incision at the base, split according to A or B, C: split off section with a view of the "torch bottom"
D: removed core, assembled E: ready-made tree torch with ventilation hole
Other styles
.jpg)
A burning Swedish torch (made according to the blast furnace principle)Blast furnace style
Another design has a drill hole (approximately 20 mm or 0.8 in) along the axis of the trunk for the exhaust gases and a second hole radially at the desired level for the air supply. It is ignited by pouring a few embers or by loading it with an easily flammable material such as kerosene, fuel tablets, or fire starters. Some hardware stores sell "Russian tree torches" with candle wax and candle wick lighters.[5]Survival skills version
Even without a drill, a tree torch can be quickly produced outdoors. To do this, use a saw to cut the log approximately two-thirds of the way up the log, and cut the base at the desired height 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4 in). As in the picture above (marked A or B), split off the sections on the blue line and remove the core on the red line. Saw in the ventilation hole or lift the smaller section of variant B for the ventilation distance. Finally, combine the three parts and B, then fix with wire, cord, or nails.[6]Gallery
.jpg "Night shot of a Swedish torch in the advanced stage of combustion")
Night shot of a Swedish torch in the advanced stage of combustion
Tree trunk with saw cuts
A bigger swedish torch.
Kettle on a swedish torch.