Lavvos offer many possibilities and are suitable for all types of outdoor activities. They are easy and quick to set up and are suitable for both fire and stove heating. Here are some practical tips for using a lavvo.

Bonfire in the lavvo

One of the advantages of the lavvo is that you can have an open fire inside. If you are going to have a fire, the lavvo should preferably be in open terrain, as this will give you the best draft and the least amount of smoke. In very harsh weather areas, you must still seek shelter, so avoid putting the lavvo under hill edges or in "dumps" as much as possible. We recommend finding a place that is as dry and flat as possible, near fresh water.

At times, a fire can produce a lot of smoke, especially when burning raw wood and before the fire has really caught fire. However, when everything is working properly, the lavvo should not fill with smoke, the smoke blanket should be at the top. Since all activity inside the lavvo takes place on the ground in a sitting or kneeling position, this smoke will not be a nuisance.

NOTE: Don't overdo it!

The lavvo cloth is made of textile and can catch fire if exposed to direct heat or excessive heating. All heating is at your own risk, so never let the fire burn with too high a flame. To avoid uncontrolled flare-ups, there should always be access to water in the lavvo. A small splash of water or a little snow will quickly dampen the fire without extinguishing it.

ATTENTION: Do not leave the lavvo with a burning fire!

Be especially careful not to leave flammable items too close to the fire. Sleeping bags, shoes, mittens, socks and other clothing are commonly left by the fire to dry, remember that they can easily catch fire! Many lavvos have been burned down over the years, usually because they were abandoned with a burning fire and the heat spread to the skins, sleeping bags and the like. You should check whether such losses are covered by your insurance.

About cooking system:

To cook food, you need to rig something to hang the pots on. A chain with height adjustment, as well as a hook for pots and hangers are well suited for this. This system has been used for centuries by the Sami for cooking over a fire, and is called riggi. Riggi should hang over the crossbar or at the intersection. It is also possible to use a pot hook, here you can hang pots over the fire for cooking as well as frying pans, griddles, baking sheets and the like.

About strong winds:

The guy ropes should be used in bad weather. We recommend that you guy rope around the entire lavvo, this way the guy ropes receive an even load and you avoid guy ropes from wearing out. The lavvo should not be left unattended for long periods of time, heavy snowfall and strong winds can damage it.

About draft conditions:

It is not good for the draft conditions if the cloth is sealed completely against the ground. Hot air rises from the fire and air must be supplied from outside. If everything is sealed down, the air supply will be through the opening at the top, with smoke blowing in as a result. Therefore, leave a little opening here and there down at the ground for air supply.

When you make openings in the cloth like this, it should be done symmetrically, for example in three places. If the air only comes from one side, this will disrupt the draft and cause the smoke to swirl around in the lavvo. For the same reason, the door should be closed when you light a fire. Where the ventilation should come from to get the best possible smoke draft depends on the location in the terrain, and not least the weather and wind. It is usually easy to find the right solution, and you get better as you try.

About severe cold:

In Inner Finnmark, temperatures can drop to -50 degrees Celsius in winter. Despite this, families used to live in lavvos all year round. This underlines the lavvo's ability to withstand demanding outdoor activities. To stay comfortable in extreme cold, an inner cloth will be insulating.

If you have a fire, you should use large stones for the hearth, as the large stones give off a lot of heat even after the fire has burned out. Rice (small twigs) and skins on the ground make the lavvo warmer. If you use a rakkas (sleeping tent), this will also help against the cold. Body heat will to some extent be able to warm up a rakkas.

Good luck on your lavvo trip!