Swedish torch: Difference between revisions

A '''Swedish torch''' ({{efn|also '''called a Swedish candle''', '''Finn candle, Finnish torch, Finnish candle''', '''Swedish fire''', '''Siberian tree torch''' or '''Russian tree torch'''; {{Lang-de|Schwedenfeuer}})}} is a source of [[heat]] and [[light source|light]] from a vertically set [[tree]] trunk, incised and [[fire|burning]] in the middle. It was [[Invention|invented]] by The[[Finns]] and it became known in [[Europe]] during the 1600s and is now used by forest workers, and for leisure activities (especially in southern Germany). Due to its flat surface and good embers, it can also be used for cooking. Compared to a [[campfire]], it is more compact, and therefore several small heat sources can be distributed over an area.

Oral tradition attributes the development of the torch to the [[Swedish intervention in the Thirty Years' War|Swedish military during the Thirty Years' War]]; using a [[saw]] or hacksaw or an [[axe]], the [[Swedes]] are said to have made burning and glowing logs to warm their soldiers.<ref name="Hutchison">{{Cite web |last=Hutchison |first=Patrick |title=How to Make a Swedish Torch |url=https://www.artofmanliness.com/articles/how-to-make-a-swedish-torch |website=Art of Manliness |date=18 December 2018 |language=en}}</ref> This method of providing heat meant that their troops did not have to carry their own [[firewood]] with them but were able to get supplies on site, as the freshly cut, [[green wood]] can burn due to the [[chimney effect]]. According to the Finnish forest museum Lusto Swedish torch was invented by Finns in northern Finland. It was made by loggers to warm up and make wood. In the 1950s when chainsaws became more popular it became common to make a carving to the halfway of the log and put it standing upwards.

Choosing a safe place to set the torch is important due to flying sparks and possibility of it falling apart.<ref name="Manmade">{{Cite web |title=How to: Make a Swedish Flame |url=https://www.manmadediy.com/2850-how-to-make-a-swedish-flame |access-date=2016-10-07 |website=Manmade|date=7 October 2016 }}</ref> To ignite the trunk evenly, add some paraffin at the top. Depending on the size and length, the trunk burns between two and five hours and glows with intense heat. The glow in the middle of the trunk has a temperature between {{convert|1000|and|1200|C|-2}}. After the torch has started burning, it is possible to place a pan on top. Before lighting, hammer three nails around the borehole or place three stones around the borehole, creating an improvised cooking surface.<ref name="Ladd">{{Cite web |last=Ladd |first=Kelly |date=2019-10-24 |title=How to Make a Swedish Fire Log |url=https://www.treehugger.com/how-make-swedish-fire-log-4863816 |website=Treehugger |language=en}}</ref>