Did you know that how you build your campfire influences its output of heat, the cooking coals it will produce, how long it will burn, and the ease of replenishing it? Well, you will in the next couple of minutes. We share five different ways to lay a campfire plus the pros and cons to each method.

No matter how you lay out the logs, you still need to consider how you’re going to start and kindle it. Our solution is simple, clean, fast, and easy. In all cases, we used Zip All-Purpose Premium Fire Starter that burns hot and long to get the bigger logs burning.

So what will it be? Traditional Teepee, low-maintenance Upside Down, or Cowboy Star Fire? Learn them all to wow your campmates with just the right campfire and just the right moment!