Step 13 of 14 · Build a Campfire That Lights First Try
Drown, stir, feel
Drown, stir, feel — step 13 of 14 in Build a Campfire That Lights First Try. Pour water slowly over the entire fire bed — coals, ash, and rocks. It will hiss and steam.
Free outdoor skills tip: Drown, stir, feel (step 13 of 14 from "Build a Campfire That Lights First Try").
Pour water slowly over the entire fire bed — coals, ash, and rocks. It will hiss and steam. Stir the wet ash with a stick, turning buried coals to the surface. Pour again. Stir again. Repeat until no hissing remains.
Hold your palm 5 cm above the ash. If you feel any warmth, add more water and stir. The standard is 'cold to the touch' — not 'mostly out', not 'it will probably be fine'. Buried coals can reignite 12 hours later in wind.
Pro tip: If you run out of water, use sand or mineral soil to smother. Stir it into the ash, then feel for heat.
1 more paragraph in this tip — free with a Learnlyst account.
Create a free account to read the full tip
Unlock “Drown, stir, feel” plus daily tips. Guides and course pages stay public for search.
From the full photographed course
Build a Campfire That Lights First Try →This tip is one step — unlock all 14 steps inside Learnlyst.
More Outdoor Skills tips
Ready for the full Learnlyst library?
Free account for daily tips · $9/mo or $79/yr for every course.