DIY Camping Grill Using Just a Log

Cooking while camping typically requires a burner and grill, but if you’ve forgotten your gas grill or just don’t want to pack it, you have an alternative to cooking over the open flame of a fire pit.

This ingenious DIY camping grill is known as a Swedish or Finnish Torch and is made by cutting two crossed notches about a foot down the length of a three-foot log. The YouTube channel La Fabrique DIY demonstrates how they cut their Swedish Torch below.

To start the fire, place tinder on top of the log and allow some of it to fall into the notches. Then set more tinder and kindling on top of the log and light it. The open notches below the fire will allow air to circulate freely and will quickly ignite the interior of the log. Once the inside of the log is burning you can set your cast iron pan on top and start cooking. With this DIY grill you’ll have a simple and consistent heat source to cook your food and keep you warm for a few hours.

If you’re heading into the backcountry this spring, you might also learn how to build a self-feeding campfire. Once set up, you don’t have to fiddle with it; it burns itself until no more wood is left.

Get more great skills from Popular Mechanics HERE