Bank a fire to keep coals overnight

Step-by-step

1. 1

   Let the fire burn down until you have a solid bed of glowing coals — no active flame.

2. 2

   Rake the coals into a compact pile in the center of the fire pit.

3. 3

   Cover the coals with a 2–3 inch layer of dry ash, then a thin layer of dry soil or fine sand.

4. 4

   Leave one small vent hole at the top so air can trickle in without the coals burning through the cover.

5. 5

   In the morning, brush back the cover, add fine tinder to the exposed coals, and blow gently to raise a flame.

Tip: Hardwood coals bank far better than softwood. Save your best coals from oak, maple, or ash for the overnight pile.