trying the Dakota fire hole.

[fishfish]

Had the opportunity to spend a few hours in longleat forest today with the boys,we thought it would be fun to try a new fire cooking method and decided on the Dakota fire hole method,its a great fire for cooking in a stealthy way as the fire is in a hole so light being emitted is a minimum and when finished with is filled in easily with no visible trace of the fire being left. For those not familiar with the concept you basically dig a small diameter hole about 10 inches deep then at an angle another down to meet it ,this is the breathing hole for the fire,by controlling the air in through this breather you can regulate the burn of the fire.

Heres some pictures:


digging the dakota fire hole. by fishfish_01, on Flickr


clearing the breathing hole on the Dakota fire hole. by fishfish_01, on Flickr


dakota fire hole lit. by fishfish_01, on Flickr


Dakota fire hole roaring. by fishfish_01, on Flickr


dakota fire hole roaring well. by fishfish_01, on Flickr


Ghilli kettle sat atop the Dakota fire hole by fishfish_01, on Flickr


From inside the breather tunnel of the Dakota fire hole. by fishfish_01, on Flickr


cooking atop the Dakota fire hole. by fishfish_01, on Flickr


Lunch cooking on the Dakota fire hole. by fishfish_01, on Flickr

after a brew a chance for a bit of spoon carving sat in my hammock.


rhodadendron spoon. by fishfish_01, on Flickr


view from my hammock. by fishfish_01, on Flickr



thanks for looking.

 

[copper_head]

I like that, and a nice spoon to boot. Looks like a great day out

 

[Chiseller]

Nice work Fish.....
I'm a fan too. If you make the second hole just right.....you can feed the fuel in...

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[spandit]

Not recommended in a peat area - I hope you made sure it hasn't spread underground!

 

[fishfish]

Not recommended in a peat area - I hope you made sure it hasn't spread underground!

filled the hole with water from the lake then back filled.

 

[spandit]

filled the hole with water from the lake then back filled.

I wish the people who light fires in my local nature reserve were as considerate!

 

[Mouse040]

Good for wild camping I'm thinking quite discreet boys look occupied by it ( not sure about the digging equipment lol)

Not sure I can give this a try near me as the ground is dickered in the black stuff but as always the carving looks top

 

[santaman2000]

It's particulary good for fires in windy conditions.

 

[swright81076]

Good heat and little smoke, like you say fish, they'd work a treat on a stealthy one.
Another one here Chiseller and I dug out on a day clearing the woods.

touched by nature

 

[Chiseller]

And if its large enough.....finish off using it as a ground oven

Mmmmmmm

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[copper_head]

I'd of thought it would make a decent ground oven once its down to embers?

*Edit* Chiseller beat me to it!

 

[Elen Sentier]

I'd like to have a go at that next time we meet up. Might even dig myself one here in the garden - no peat here! Agree with what Spandit said.

 

[Chiseller]

I'd like to have a go at that next time we meet up. Might even dig myself one here in the garden - no peat here! Agree with what Spandit said.

I didn't

Surely......

For folk wanting to try such a method as the Dakota fire pit, it is ground dependent, as I'm sure Fish and Chiseller are already aware. By this I mean .....certain ground conditions, especially peat, ash and coal rich soils are not best suited to such a venture. I only mention this as folk who may not be aware to the environmental dangers of such a fire, should proceed only on suitable ground. Not wanting to sound condescending, just hoping that readers are aware, as I'm sure chiseller and fish are :thumbup:



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[Niels]

Fish, do you just engrave axe handles like sami engrave sheaths? If so why haven't I done it myself yet?! That looks great

 

[Chiseller]

I'd of thought it would make a decent ground oven once its down to embers?

*Edit* Chiseller beat me to it!

Works better when you drop the rocks on the embers....re build the fire on top for a while then pull most the rocks out and re lay onto of your meat.

For those unaware....its best to not use pourus or damp rocks for safety reasons.

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[Chiseller]

Great to see the kids enjoying the experience and learning at the same time Fish.
gud 'elth

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[fishfish]

Fish, do you just engrave axe handles like sami engrave sheaths? If so why haven't I done it myself yet?! That looks great

i pyrographied that one mate.

 

[Niels]

i pyrographied that one mate.

Oh. Still cool though

 

[Gray]

Looks like everyone had a great time, thanks for sharing

 

[dwardo]

Always wanted to try one at my local haunt as its mostly clay a few inches down. Only problem is the wind starts from the south in the morning, by mid day its anyones guess and in the evening its from north. Thats a lot of holes to be dug so it always puts me off.
Great photos as always fish.