There's something fundamental about a fire. It warms you, brings people together and makes the coffee (and the sausages) taste better. As with so much in the outdoors, it's about keeping things simple, and that's exactly what good fire equipment helps you do.
Instead of fiddling with damp twigs and hoping for the best, the right kit makes lighting a fire easy, safe and effective. You'll still have to blow on the embers now and then, but you won't be cursing matches that go out in the wind.
Campfire cooking is where Petromax really shines. The cast-iron Dutch ovens come in many sizes, from small pots for two to big ones for a crowd, with or without legs, and can be used directly in the embers. Add a lid lifter, a cooking tripod or a Dutch oven table, and you have a complete outdoor kitchen. Petromax also makes cast-iron skillets, griddle plates, stack grates, campfire bread skewers and a compact grill, while Primus makes campfire cookware and Coghlans makes camp grills and a tripod grill.
Cast iron lasts for generations if you look after it: clean it with a chain mail cleaner, dry it well and rub in a little care conditioner.
A fire bowl from Petromax or Tentipi lifts the fire off the ground, protects the grass underneath and makes it easier to keep the fire under control.
Use an established fire place or a fire bowl, keep the fire small and never leave it unattended. Put it out completely with water before you leave, and skip the fire altogether when the ground is very dry.
Whether you're out with the scouts, on a solo hike or just toasting marshmallows in the garden, reliable fire equipment is a good investment. Pair it with outdoor kitchen gear, a sharp knife or axe for kindling and a lantern for when darkness falls.
