The Swedish Fire Log! Find out How to Make, or Buy a Pre-made!

If you’ve never experienced the warmth of a Swedish Fire Log, don’t be too hard on yourself. Even though they are not exclusive to Sweden (they’re also known as a Canadian Candle, one log fire, etc.), they’re still a fairly new idea in the whole fire-starting niche. You will, though, wish you had spent time near one of them earlier – but you’re about to get in on the secret! This guide will cover How to Make a Swedish Fire Log, and also links to a couple of pre-made options.

The name refers to its origins with the Swedish Army. If you’re thinking that the Swedes are darned good at getting a campfire going with minimum effort – you’d be right. It utilizes one log that can be prepared without a whole lot of effort. When you’re done, you have the makings of a campfire that will burn steadily, support a piece of cookware, and also stay lit on wet or snowy ground. 

How to Make a Swedish Fire Log

Making your own Fire Log is a fairly simple process, but you’ll need a few tools and supplies on hand.

Tools and Supplies

• Chainsaw or Axe (we love the Fiskars X27 splitting axe)
• Hatchet
• Dry log, cut flat on both ends (More on selecting wood below)
• Baling wire or a coat hanger
• Work gloves
• Select Your Wood

You’re looking for dry hardwood, with a diameter of at least 10”. If you’re new to the whole campfire experience, here’s a quick lesson.

Hardwood is the correct choice for fires. It’s denser, slower-burning wood from trees like oak, hickory or elm. And it should be “seasoned” – this is merely a term for wood that has been properly dried. Storing your wood in a firewood log rack can help season it, especially if its well designed. 

---

Option A: Select Your Log

Find Your Log

The log itself should be flat on both ends. You’ll be setting one flat end on the ground, and using the other flat end for prepping the fire and cooking. It’s okay if one end is wider than the other – you’ll use that one to place on the ground.

The log itself needs to be at least 12” long.

Make Your Cuts

Select the end of the log that will be facing up. Mark off your cuts. You’ll want equal sections, like you’re slicing up a pie. You can use 3 or 4 overlapping cuts, depending on the size of your log.

Stand the log upright with the bottom securely on the ground, and make the cuts with either your chainsaw or your ax. Each cut can go as far as 3/4 of the way down the log.

Using the end of your chainsaw or your axe, cut into the center point of the slices you’ve just created. You’ll use this spot to add tinder or fire starter when you’re ready to start the fire.

---

Option B: Assemble Your Fire Log from Pre-split Wood

Pick Small Pieces of Firewood

You can also create your fire log from pieces of seasoned, pre-split firewood. If you’re already working with a bundle of firewood you’ve purchased, this is a nearly fool-proof way to get your fire started for a cook-out.

Select similarly sized pieces of the same length, with flat ends.

Using your hatchet, rough up the interior edges of the wood a bit. This will help with starting the fire.

Keeping the bark side facing out, assemble the pieces into a round log shape.

Tie The Log Up

Join the pieces together by wrapping a loop of baling wire or a coat hanger around them near the base. 

---

How to Light Your One Log Fire

Set Up Your Log

You’ll want to ensure the location you’ll be burning the log will be safe, so it’s best to burn in a fire bowl, wood-burning fire pit, or fire ring. If none of these are available, just be sure you’re burning on gravel, sand, or otherwise dry ground so as to prevent a fire spreading.

Place tinder, kindling or fire starter in the center of the log cuts on the top of the log. You can use several things for tinder, such as dry grass, small twigs, dryer lint, or cardboard – keep them smaller than the size of your fingers. For kindling, use slightly larger but dry pieces of wood.

Light the Tinder, Kindling or Fire Starter.

Once you get your kindling going, you’re pretty well all set.

Just wait a bit.

As the tinder and kindling catch on fire, they will drop down inside the cuts in the log, and it will slowly begin to burn. It will be mostly smoke at first.

You’ll be rewarded with a long-lasting, evenly burning fire that will continue to fuel itself by drawing in oxygen as it burns down. The flat top can be used to cook on, and it will also produce a bright, steady light in a charming pattern.

Pre-Made Swedish Fire Logs

If you love the idea of a Swedish Fire Log but aren’t sure you’ll have the time or equipment to make one yourself on your next camping trip, there are some pre-made options available.

Swedish Torch by Swedish Torch Supply

The Swedish Torch is made in Georgia (that’s close to Sweden, right?!) from sustainably-sourced hardwood trees. It’s clean and easy to transport, as the bark has already been removed.

Last update on 2024-10-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The company advertises a one-match light, and most find that this is, in fact, the case. This log lights easily, without any extra kindling, fire-starting liquid, or significant effort, and gives a bright, strong flame for approximately two hours.

It comes with a nice label wrap and would be a nice gift for a novice camper in your life. Many find that these logs work very well in home fire pits or rings. 

---

The Original OneLogFire

These come in a 6 pack, each log with its own rope carrying handle for easy transport.

Last update on 2024-09-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The kiln-dried wood is pre-drilled with an additional lower vent hole at the bottom of the log to assist with lighting and continuing flames. Like the other logs, they are easy to light at the top. Reviewers find them to be a good size for patio fires, although some grumbled about the lack of heat produced. 

---

Conclusion: Canadian Candle Light

The One Log Fire, Swedish Fire Log, Canadian Candle — whatever you want to call it, these clever simple fires are a valuable addition to your camping and campfire knowledge base.

The setup is nearly foolproof and provides one of the best methods for cooking over an open flame. Try one out on your next campfire, and you can impress everyone with your fire-starting chops.

---