# Safe (non-exploding) rocks to use for campfire ring?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safe-non-exploding-rocks-to-use-for-campfire-ring/132845>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 18, 2002, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safe-non-exploding-rocks-to-use-for-campfire-ring/132845 "2002-10-18T16:26:03Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![einzelwesen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b77776/32.png) [@einzelwesen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/einzelwesen)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2002, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safe-non-exploding-rocks-to-use-for-campfire-ring/132845/21 "2002-10-21T14:44:15Z")

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Basically, avoid using all and any igneous (volcanic) rocks.

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**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2002, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safe-non-exploding-rocks-to-use-for-campfire-ring/132845/22 "2002-10-21T16:47:04Z")

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Update:

Decided to wing it and went with the shale last night. Success! No explosions–or wildfires–thus far.

> [@](#):
>
> An even better idea would be to use an existing fire ring and campsite, so’s not to cause further damage to our treausred natural areas.

too true, esp. when backpaking, etc. Luckily, this ring is on my newly bought property (i.e., no previous rings) and is on the spot where my future house will be. So I don’t even have to sacrifice any of my own land for it! (well … any land that I wouldn’t be sacrificing anyway)  
Thanks, all. I’ll keep you posted re: any explosions.

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**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2002, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safe-non-exploding-rocks-to-use-for-campfire-ring/132845/23 "2002-10-21T18:44:18Z")

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Up in northern Minnesota I actively hunt for shiny shale, it’s fun to toss into the campfire and watch the little flames leap out. If you just finished some plumping work, bring along some of the copper scraps to add some color to the fire.

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**Author:** ![ElwoodCuse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/edb3f5/32.png) [@ElwoodCuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElwoodCuse)\
**Post date:** [October 22, 2002, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safe-non-exploding-rocks-to-use-for-campfire-ring/132845/24 "2002-10-22T06:36:01Z")

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Exploding rocks? Damn, must have missed that in Boy Scouts. We did pretty much everything else with the campfire…

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