Finally.
The temperature has finally become comfortable.
Camping season is here!
It’s autumn camping time!
At Circles, we call this season Makoto season, or Jas season.
When autumn and winter arrive, these two become quite active.
So, how was your summer this year? Did you make any fun memories?
I had a great time. I went on a trip to Cuba, and went mountain biking, hiking, and camping in Nagano.
It was so much fun!!
The thing I was happiest about, though, was getting the axe I’d been longing for.
I’ll say it again.
I got an axe.
I had wanted one for so long.
My wife bought me an axe as a birthday present.
Is there anyone else out there who gets an axe for their birthday?
This axe is by Gransfors Bruk.
What materials are used, how is the axe made, and what is discarded as waste? With the concept that increased durability reduces consumption (cutting down on material and energy use) and keeps production lower (allowing more time for the important things you enjoy), this leads to less waste... each axe is carefully crafted over time by a single artisan who handles the entire process from start to finish. I think it’s truly the Chris King of the axe world.
The reason I wanted an axe was because I wanted to have a campfire with firewood. (I bought a fire pit along with the axe.)
That’s all there is to it.
But!! Campfires are incredibly profound!!
You’ll get totally hooked. I’m going to have campfires throughout the coming season and aim to become a campfire master.
By the way, the boss at Circles is apparently a campfire master.
I hope you all try your hand at a real campfire, too!
I want to compete with everyone to see whose fire is the cleanest!
Now, for this coming autumn camping season, there is one more thing I highly recommend you try besides campfires!!
SOTO Foldable Smoker, Otegaru Kobo, ¥5,000 (excl. tax)
Why not try your hand at smoking food using this SOTO foldable smoker?!
The front of the unit opens fully. You can freely lay out even large ingredients. It folds down small and is easy to carry. You can enjoy both hot and warm smoking.
SOTO Smoke Wood Mini ¥250 (excl. tax) and up
SOTO Smoke Chips Mini ¥220 (excl. tax) and up
With warm smoking using smoke wood or hot smoking using smoke chips, there are various methods and techniques to smoking, and it is also incredibly deep!!
There is a variety of wood and chips, such as cherry, apple, walnut, and hickory.
It’s also fun to come up with your own original recipe using your favorite wood or chips!!
Of course, this set is a must for me when I go camping.
(Even if you don’t have a burner like this, if you are warm smoking, you can do it with just the foldable smoker and smoke wood.)
I made smoked food with the smoker during my summer vacation camp, too.
I smoked a variety of ingredients, including quail eggs, bacon, chikuwa, and cheese!!
I used cherry chips and hot smoked them for about 30 minutes. Everything was exquisite. The bacon in particular!!
I even carry this set on my bicycle using a trailer. When it comes to camping, I make absolutely no compromises when it comes to "eating."
In the coming season, isn't it the best to just relax, take it slow, warm yourself by a crackling fire, and enjoy some smoked food with beer or wine?
If you have any questions about smoking food, feel free to ask Jas at Circles!! (lol)
An axe, a bonfire, and a smoker.
