How do I start a fire using a metal fire pit?

Question

I just bought a metal fire pit - like the one on this site:

http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&categoryId=55610&productId=934396&qs=5686471-YahooSSP

Problem is, my family wants toasted marshmellows tomorrow on it and I have no idea to start a fire! Do I need to put sand in the bottom and charcoals, or do I need to buy fire starter logs? What is the process? Please help. Single mom here. : )

I appreciate the info.

Answer 1

put some sand in the bottom of this pit to keep it from burning through. it won't burn through now but after a few fires it will start to show signs of burning through. empty it after you burn or the sand will get wet and that will rust it out fast.

now get dry twigs and paper put paper on the bottom place dry twigs in a tee pee style and then some bigger twigs and the small pcs. of wood then larger ones until you have a pile about 12" tall in the pit. start the fire and  when it gets going add the larger pcs. of wood to get the fire going good. after an hour or so you will have a bed of coals in the bottom and new wood will self ignite.  or like one other post said just get some charcoal and ignite it and after the coals get good place wood on top of that for a roaring fire.

Answer 2

Do not use the fire log for cooking anything. Find some small dead branches on a hardwood tree and make a pile with them. Add some a little bigger and build up in size as you go.  If you use anything other than oak or fruit tree limbs it will smoke too much. You may also use dry leaves or paper under the wood for ease of lighting. When the fire dies down and you have a bed of coals it will be perfect! Some sand in the bottom will help to make the pit last longer. If you prefer charcoal will also do fine.

Answer 3

I do not do anything special.  I just burn wood start with kindeling just like any other fire, starters work well. A marshmellow needs a real fire to get the campfire effect. I see no need for sand. We do this on a regular basis at our cabin.

Answer 4

Wood would be nice so you can have a little flame. I don't know if I would toast marshmallow's over a fire log lots of chemicals. Some charcoal would do but not much flame. I use one of them electric fire starters. Its a big loop that gets red hot when you plug it in to a wall outlet. No charcoal liter taste and you cant singe your hair or eyebrows. If you use a little charcoal with a little wood on top you get some heat and a little flame. You also need some gram crackers and chocolate bars smores yum yum.