What kind of fuel to use in a tipi

[White Powwow Dancer]

Hi
I got a ? for you
What kind of fuel to use in a tipi Wood or Coal?
just wondering.

[tipis]

wood or not to wood???

You can use what ever you want....just be sure you use it safely. I prefer wood to coal because of the lovely glow of the fire.
But use a propane fire and still get the glow and the warmth.

tipis

[storm]

COAL? You must not be from around here.
It depends on your purpose. I don't think you can buy coal in Oklahoma.
I assume you are talking about just powow summer camping etc.not for ritual or anything. A good safe pit liner used around here for small tipi fires is an old Disk from a farm disk. They are shallow, fireproof etc. they limit the size of you fire but are safe. A hint, choose your wood carefully. Good dry wood, without bark, will burn and neither pop, nor smoke. Also the species of wood makes a difference for light , (elm)heat (oak)etc. there are many little things about that fire you can learn. Even how you stack or set your wood makes a difference in the performance and maintainance of the fire. I cut and process my own wood. There are probably lots of traditions out there.

[White Powwow Dancer]

Hi
If you live near a coal mine go use it then.
From my woodburning days I use birch for burning.

[AlmostThere]

i didnt know what tipi's used fuel...see you learn something everyday!

[White Powwow Dancer]

Hi

The fuel I would use
1 wood if I can get it.
2 coal if I can get it from my supplier.
3 propane too expensive for me.

[White Powwow Dancer]

Hi
Tipis
Did you ever burn Coal before in a tipi?

[tipis]

Not what is called real coal. But I have burrned charcoal. All I wanted was the warmth.


tipis

[White Powwow Dancer]

Hi
Tipis Did you use a grate for burning charcoal? it was a shaker grate with a ash drawer too?

[tipis]

I used a old colonia Brazier with a small grate and pan for removing the ash.

Tipis

[Mixskin]

Why not try Buffalo chips like the old ones did.I gotta a Tipi and that is what I tried .Sometimes I use Cow chips as a substitute.Just remember the old ones knew how to deal with the peculiar smell you will attain.....any fuel okay...just always respect the fire and its gift....

[White Powwow Dancer]

Aneen Mixskin
Did you use a grate with a ash pan for the fire?
Chi Migwetch, WPD

[TWDBear]

When i used to work at a wood furniture plant, i used to burn ponderosa pine (dark smoke and lots of poppers), then changed over to yellow poplar wood (burned hotter, less smoke but still some poppers). Once the plant went out of business, i made a bid at the auction sale of $11 for about 20,000 white oak blocks that were 2 1/2 '' x 8 ''. Since all of this wood was kiln dry, very little smoke, lots of heat, and no poppers.

I burned cedar logs for a couple of years but then changed over to LP gas campfire. It's a lot less work then having to start up a fire, cut wood, etc. and, imo, it's a lot safer.

[White Powwow Dancer]

Hi
TWDBear
When you use LP. Did you light a pilot burner before you use it? For safety reasons if the flame goes out and the gas shuts off or else blows you kingdom come.

[TWDBear]

Originally posted by White Powwow Dancer
Hi
TWDBear
When you use LP. Did you light a pilot burner before you use it? For safety reasons if the flame goes out and the gas shuts off or else blows you kingdom come.

No pilot burner needed.

If i leave the tipi, i turn off the valve both at the firepan and at the LP Gas tank.

If i want to turn on the LP campfire, i turn on the LP gas tank, then the valve on at the firepan where i have a lit lighter or match ready to ignite the gas.

It works, so i don't have to.

Tim.