Anyone know of a hand fan used to stoke fires?

Anyone know of a packable and durable hand fan that could be brought in back-country trips? Something that would be stiff enough to give good airflow when stoking a fire but small enough to toss in a pack or pocket? After hiking miles on a trail the last thing I want to do is blow unnecessarily on a fire. Also would be good in the morning for restoking coals. Thanks!

While not exactly what you seek google "pocket bellows."

I use my foam "sit-pad" that's stiff enough for the task--about a foot square. Haven't melted it yet.

A clever device I've seen but never bothered to make is a piece of hose with a short length of metal tube at the end. Put the tube next to the coals and blow through the hose. Doesn't seem to take much breath because the airstream is directed right where needed.

Cheers,

A broad brimmed hat (beloved by those of us who sunburn easily and are allergic to sunscreen) does a great job of fanning a fire.

So does a broad-bottom pan such as a pie tin or a frying pan, if you use one.

I hadn't thought about a foam sit pad, but that should work as long as it doesn't get too close to the flames and melt.

IMHO, it's better to have a multi-function item to save weight and bulk.

Back in the days when I built fires I used a length of plastic tubing and it worked fine, weighed nothing and went nicely into a pack pocket. Takes very little blowing. best, jcp

I just blow on it, but in fairness it's not hard to start a fire here as there's almost always tinder and kindling at hand. When car camping I have used my battery powered air mattress pump. You could do some blacksmithing with that thing

Hmmmm....seems it takes more energy to wave a fan thingy around than to just blow on your fire. Adding yet one more thing to the pack is counter to lightweight thinking. There must be 10 things in that pack (or on your head) that can fan a fire. Or, build a properly drafted fire, with decent fire starters (i make them from paper towels and gulfwax that burn 5 min.) that require no fanning.

I generally use 12 year old boys. They are generally eager to blow on it. Short of that, I use my CCF sit pad, or my hat.

Like others said, you don't want to have to bring something special just for that one task. A frying pan works, or a titanium plate. If your pack has a removable plastic frame sheet, you can use that.

I have used a camptek micro burst meant to inflate a pad to stoke a fire before. Worked pretty well. I already carry it anyways so it's now multi use

I use the pouch warmer I made from Reflectix to wave the fire. Hello fire.

I use a Frisbee. The extra weight is justified by its versatility: a fan, plate, water vessel, tray for collecting things, dog bowl, table (for taking notes, looking at maps, preparing food, etc), toy for playing catch, and more.

Blowing on a fire will certainly get the job done but it's not as effective or as comfortable as using a fan.

Frisbees are a handy item for snow camping. A base for a canister stove with a little water added to keep the canister around freezing, snow shovel/scoop, a place to set out items you don't want to lose in the snow, buried as a shelter anchor. I put a couple of grommets and para-cord loops on mine. I've used it to glissade on , too. Can get a little painful...