How to Make a Fire Fork!

[Cobweb]

Thank you Toddy for putting an end to the bickering.

Silly buggers.

[fishy1]

From memory, I think if it got to about 900C then the zinc boils off. At temps around there, it is pretty nasty, used to be a major hassle when casting things. I reckon if paranoid, you could heat it at 900C for a couple of hours to remove the zinc. However, lets be honest, you won't reach about 300C unless you shove it in the embers or don't have anything on it. The meat/bread would do an effective job of cooling it. A small amount of zinc might rub off on your food, but that would be pretty small.

I wasn't critising your idea, indeed I think it's clever the way you use springs to hold it open, it's just I use a stick. If I'm in an area that couldn't handle one green stick being cut, I'd not camp there as I'd see it as being unsuitable for bushcraft. I like something a bit more natural, and I don't have to carry it, but whatever. I don't personally think it constitutes true bushcraft, although I don't do true bushcraft but I do as close as I can, with a few luxuries like an axe, knife, and some food. I suppose this is just another luxury.

[John Fenna]

Not as much as a luxury (or as heavy as )my bake stone!
Still bushy in my book!
Keep up the good work Charlotte!

[Toddy]

John is your bakestone one of the Lakeland pizza baking stones?
I have one of those, and it's excellent, but I never thought of taking it out with me.
I do find a cast iron girdle a good thing though if camping where I can get the car close. I've baked on one since childhood, scones, bannocks, soda break, pancakes, oatcakes, tattie scones, ginger nuts and even pastry works well on the girdle.

cheers,
Toddy

[John Fenna]

Toddy!
My stone is actually a trad Welsh Cast Iron "girdle" designed for Welsh Cakes (dammio - what else cariad!), locals call it either a "girdle" or "Bake Stone " though it is neither lingerie or stone...it weighs a ton and is great for bannock and a darn sight more - inc susages, toast, baconfry, real bacon etc (just like the top of a woodburning stove) - I never carry it too far though, and too far is not very far at all!
Perhaps I should try out a bent wire fork - for light weight cooking.....

[Toddy]

The one I use in the house actually has Girdle cast into the bottom of it
and here was me thinking only Scotswomen cooked on a girdle not wear it

I flash fried venison in butter and ransomes on one up at the Crannog at one of the meet ups...seemed to go down well

cheers,
Toddy

[John Fenna]

Now that sounds good!

[BOD]

Good idea Cobweb,

Have you tried extending the forks and what was the result?

[andy_e]

I had a go earlier with a bit of wire I had lying about, took 30 seconds to make - excellent post. Not really worried about the zinc problem, I reckon transfer to food would be very minimal and since I usually have my fires in a well ventilated place I'll take my chances.

[Jared]

Nice.

Made something like this a few years back. Was meant to toast bread on both sides without having to touch it. Made in two parts of coat hanger.

Long handle with a figure of eight on the end.

=====8

And then the bread cradle with two hooks that go in the eyes of the 8.
(S shaped from the side, and U shaped from the top, if you err, can decipher my poor description )

Means can toast one side, and with a sort of rotation of the hand , toast the other.

PS Dont forget the marshmallows.

[John Fenna]

If you are into wire work I recommend the book "Skills of the Australian Bushman" by Ron Edwards.
This has "how to" type descriptions of all sorts of things from kids toys to swags, buildings to boats, plaiting to telling a horses age from its teath!, leather work to making a didgeridoo mainly using scrap and using LOTS of fencing wire!

[Dr Onion]

Spamel,
I have absolutely no interest in being negative to any or all threads, my post was merely to indicate the possibility of a health issue that I want people to be aware of. I am more than willing to remove my post if someone can come up with definate information as to the heat causing toxic emmission issue.
I'm sure that if you were to look back at my posts, there would be a good number advising making something for yourself rather than buy blindly without trying.

Ogri the trog

Just to add to this, Zinc Oxide vapour forms at 750C (under normal conditions and Zinc itself will boil at 900C) which on inhalation can cause "Metal Fume Fever". (I only know this as it happened to me in a lab with a leaky fume cupboard) This is reversible and will alleviate itself over time (assuming you remove yourself from exposure!) with no long term damage being recorded for brief exposure.

Exposure limit for Zinc Oxide is 8 hour TWA 5mg/m3. Zinc fumes from a small piece of wire in a well ventilated area (outside) will be minimal if any (campfires can produce anything up to 500C - sometimes more and sometimes less) but there is always the chance of transfer from the metal itself to the food in contact with it.

I personally would be very cautious about using zinc coated anything in a fire but that's just me and my "non self poisoning policy"!! lol

Just my 2 cents worth and personal experience from working in the chemical industry and producing COSHH reports on a daily basis.

Cheers

Dr O

[Bernie Garland]

Just to add to this, Zinc Oxide vapour forms at 750C (under normal conditions and Zinc itself will boil at 900C) which on inhalation can cause "Metal Fume Fever". (I only know this as it happened to me in a lab with a leaky fume cupboard) This is reversible and will alleviate itself over time (assuming you remove yourself from exposure!) with no long term damage being recorded for brief exposure.

Exposure limit for Zinc Oxide is 8 hour TWA 5mg/m3. Zinc fumes from a small piece of wire in a well ventilated area (outside) will be minimal if any (campfires can produce anything up to 500C - sometimes more and sometimes less) but there is always the chance of transfer from the metal itself to the food in contact with it.

I personally would be very cautious about using zinc coated anything in a fire but that's just me and my "non self poisoning policy"!! lol

Just my 2 cents worth and personal experience from working in the chemical industry and producing COSHH reports on a daily basis.

Cheers

Dr O

I know why don't we all start wearing safety boots,high vis jackets and hard hats oh and don't forget the safety glasses,when bushcrafting,come on everthing has a risk.

bernie

[andy_e]

Why don't we all start wearing safety boots,high vis jackets and hard hats oh and don't forget the safety glasses,when bushcrafting,come on everthing has a risk.

bernie

LOL! If you like but I'll stick to my usual, and continue to make decisions based on good advice and a hint of recklessness on my part

[Dr Onion]

Sigh!!

That's not what I was advocating Bernie, not even slightly.

I'm not entering into a bun fight here in any way, the information I posted is from a purely chemical point of view as the question was asked and I provided an answer since I have worked with Zinc in the past.

I have had zinc poisoning before and it is not pleasant - like a really bad bout of the flu and it knocks you for absolute six. Not something I would assume any of us would like to experience when we have walked until we are miles from anywhere with no immediate access to proper medical care.

However, if you read my post again you will see that I mention that the likelihood of getting Zinc poisoning is fairly negligible considering the mass of metal we are talking about.

Everything does have risk but we can manage risk to a certain extent - and in this instance we can completely negate the risk by using a different metal which is easily obtained for a measley few pennies or free if you know your local ironmonger.

Again, just my 2 cents and information that I thought had been asked for earlier in the thread.

I don't post much on these forums and this thread is a prime example as to why!

Cheers

Dr O

[Bernie Garland]

i know what your saying and your most probably right. but are the chance's of poisoning your self with your toasting fork. greater than a log falling and breaking your toe,a stick poking you in the eye,your billy can tipping over and scolding your hands the list go's on,thats my point with out a doubt this country has gone health and safety mad and posts like these are making it more so,i also don't want a bun fight but what started of as an imformative thread in my opinon has been taken over by health and safety experts.

bernie

[Dr Onion]

Well, no - that's why I have stated twice now that the chances of actually getting Zinc poisoning from the mass of metal involved are minimal.

But then the chances of having a log fall on you are minimal unless you sleep under a beech tree by choice or cut down a branch while standing under it - something we don't do because we know what can happen if we do. Much like the chances of tipping a billy can and scalding your hands are minimised by either wearing gloves and gripping the billy tightly or setting a correct balance when tipping and keeping your hands out of the path of flowing water. Health and safety mad or just common sense and being well informed of the dangers?

Well, that's me done now - hopefully my information has answered the question that was originally asked by Ogri.

[Bernie Garland]

so you admit the chances are minimal,why all the bumth then?

bernie

[Dr Onion]

[Bernie Garland]

[QUOTE=Dr Onion;383277][/QUOTEB

Bang your head on your keyboard by all means,but to me common sense prevails,the chances of being poisoned by a wire toasting fork are far greater than wining the lotto.so do we need all the health and safety side of things,thats all i'm trying to say,its common sense, if i saw black acrid smoke coming of my toasting fork i wouldn't use it.simple.

bernie

[andy_e]

so you admit the chances are minimal,why all the bumth then?

bernie

Better to know than not Bernie, while I am and no doubt you are willing to take the chance that nothing much will happen, some might not like the risk ...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_fume_fever

... the info also applies to other things such as Matt Weir's new firebox, which may well be Galvanised and subject to the same small risk. So, if we knows what the symptoms and risks are we can act if anything does happen.

Makes sense to me.

[Tadpole]

As per, I am going to be mocked and insulted for my take on this but, what the hay.
If you don’t know what the risks are, how can you assess them? Dr O’s bumf explains the risk, it’s up to you as to whether that ‘minimal risk’ is something you are willing to accept. Afterall if you don’t know there is a risk, and just what that risk is, how can you make an informed judgment?
Only the ignorant wish to remain ignorant.

[xylaria]

Just to add to this, Zinc Oxide vapour forms at 750C (under normal conditions and Zinc itself will boil at 900C) which on inhalation can cause "Metal Fume Fever". (I only know this as it happened to me in a lab with a leaky fume cupboard) This is reversible and will alleviate itself over time (assuming you remove yourself from exposure!) with no long term damage being recorded for brief exposure.

Exposure limit for Zinc Oxide is 8 hour TWA 5mg/m3. Zinc fumes from a small piece of wire in a well ventilated area (outside) will be minimal if any (campfires can produce anything up to 500C - sometimes more and sometimes less) but there is always the chance of transfer from the metal itself to the food in contact with it.

I personally would be very cautious about using zinc coated anything in a fire but that's just me and my "non self poisoning policy"!! lol

Just my 2 cents worth and personal experience from working in the chemical industry and producing COSHH reports on a daily basis.

Cheers

Dr O

My daughter ate half a tub of zinc oxide cream when she was six months old without any ill effects. I rang the hospital and they said it was very common for babies to eat this particular brand of cream and they had never known anyone to have ill effects except diarrhea.

Personally I prescribe to a deliberate self poisoning policy, as i find the best way discovering if something is poisonous for your good self to try it out. Everything is toxic it is just a matter of degree, if a substance is ingested to extent that mild poisoning is produced you know the effect level. BUT THEN ME AND DR ONION ARE IDOITS

Please note wood produces cancinogens when burnt so please can all of you start waring breathing equipment when using sharpened sticks instead of coat hangers to cook your toast. oh and don't burn your food as that gives you stomach cancer.

I hope that puts stuff into perspective.

good little device though, stuff falls off sticks. i weave up a little grill thing for certain types of food, but not everywhere has whities.

[Tadpole]

oh and don't burn your food as that gives you stomach cancer.

Heaven forfend, that I post twice in one thread, but I’d be wary of making such claims, lest a person ‘claiming to be a doctor’ on this site take you to task for posting something that there is only statistical evidence for, I did it once and was roundly attacked, moreover as I could not lay my hands on the hard copy that proved my post I was roundly abused.

[Bernie Garland]

Better to know than not Bernie, while I am and no doubt you are willing to take the chance that nothing much will happen, some might not like the risk ...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_fume_fever

... the info also applies to other things such as Matt Weir's new firebox, which may well be Galvanised and subject to the same small risk. So, if we knows what the symptoms and risks are we can act if anything does happen.

Makes sense to me.

Your right andy we should know the risks,but it was just a bit to health and safety for me personally, taking over a good little idea that a member came up with.after all we all have our own views,and after working on site for many years and seeing all the health and safety issues it got my back up slightly.enough said by me. let the thread get back on course.

bernie

[andy_e]

Heaven forfend, that I post twice in one thread, but I’d be wary of making such claims, lest a person ‘claiming to be a doctor’ on this site take you to task for posting something that there is only statistical evidence for, I did it once and was roundly attacked, moreover as I could not lay my hands on the hard copy that proved my post I was roundly abused.

Well, if anything similar happens this time, tell them to "get forked" - ba-doom-tssssh - I thank you!

[aarya]

(First off, long time lurker here. This be one of the few places i visit daily to see if something new stirs in the world of bushcraft.)

I`ve got one of those fire-forks from lightmyfire, and i`ve got to say that the wire is pretty darn stiff. The blacksmith in me, thinks that it might be spring steel wire. (Piano wire, 1050-1080 steel or thereabouts. (Don`t really know what piano wire is made of.))
So, if the wire isn`t stiff enough to prod things onto without bending, maybe it`d be worth going with the piano wire? Or something? The wire thickness on mine is around 2mm. (Or 1/32" for those not using metric.)

Quite a useful little tool i tells ya. Add to the fact that it only takes up a tad larger space than a large bic lighter. You might do well without it, but if you`ve ever tried to toast small sausages and other suchlike on a fire, and everything just disintegrated because the prongs on the stick were too large, and in the end you had to eat ash-sausage or go without. Well.. I`m happy with my fire-fork.
If i`d known how exactly to make one of these before i bought one... Well, i`d`ve made one!

Great idea, and great pictures too! Dare i say,

(And if people used half the amount of energy required to make negative posts, on overlooking the parts they wanted to make negative comments about, things`d be a whole lot better in this world.)

[hiraeth]

Toddy!
My stone is actually a trad Welsh Cast Iron "girdle" designed for Welsh Cakes (dammio - what else cariad!), locals call it either a "girdle" or "Bake Stone " though it is neither lingerie or stone...it weighs a ton and is great for bannock and a darn sight more - inc susages, toast, baconfry, real bacon etc (just like the top of a woodburning stove) - I never carry it too far though, and too far is not very far at all!
Perhaps I should try out a bent wire fork - for light weight cooking.....

Wow, great idea for the bakestone John, my wife has one which lives in the pantry most of the year, will it be ok if i say you told me to take it ?

[crazyclimber]

What will it be next a how to make a microwave

Actually... well why not? It doesn't need to be hi-tech or super high power, you could use a hand crank generator or a small turbine dunked in a stream or river to power it...
It would never be ultra light because of all the sheilding surrounding it, but once made it would be very carbon and everything-else neutral, you wouldn't need fuel...
For a longer term expedition it surely wouldn't be such a bad idea!

[crazyclimber]

Well a quick google shows someone's already thought of it. now all we need is a shrunk down version and an RM endorsement before everyone has one
http://thewavebox.com/