How to Build an Amazing New Years Eve Teepee Bonfire

Enclosed are pictures and instructions on how to build a teepee bonfire as large as you wish. These bonfires, when built right, will shoot flames out the top of the teepee much higher than the structure itself. You can use lumber, logs, slabwood, or whatever wood you can dig up as long as it is the length you want. We always preferred clean logs so we could cook hotdogs and marshmellows when the fire died down some.

8 ft logs always seem to work good, are easy to handle, and produce a very nice high flame. The first step is to put all the logs together in a teepee shape, as shown. Ten or so will do just fine. Just start leaning them all together, one at a time. Once you get a few standing up the whole structure will stick together at the top. Make sure you leave a nice large hollow area in the lower middle. Gaps beween the sides of the logs are needed to put the materials inside, so do not leave to small of an opening. the gaps also allow for air to be drawn in once the fire starts.

The next step is to put a bunch of balled up newspapers in the bottom. These can be just a pile, or can be in cardboard boxes. This will be your starting tinder, so do not pack it to tight. Unfolded newspaper, balled up works very well. Now add a pile of small dry sticks on top of the newpapers. it is very important that all these materials are dry, or you may not get the flames out of the top as good.

Next comes the cardboard tubes. These will go on top of the small sticks, and should be long enough to just about reach the inside top of the teepee frame. All the tubes should be aimed to the very top if possible. They act like chimneys that direct the tinder fire directly up to the top. The draft from the chimney tubes is what shoots the fire out of the top of the teepee. The tubes are made from flattened out cardboard boxes of any size. Just roll them as in the picture, and stick a piece of tape on them to keep the round tube shape. stick these tubes in one at a time, different lengths, but all aimed up to the top. The entire caviry on he inside of the teepee should be filled with the tops on top of the tinder.

Now you are ready. Light the papers, and please always be cautious with any type of fire. The papers will light the twigs, which will light the tubes, which will shoot flames out of the top. The top of the teepee itself will start burning first, and will draw air and flames from the inside. it all takes off pretty quick, so be ready and enjoy.