One thing about the Dakota that might be a dis-advantage: be careful about the possibility of creating root fires. They can burn for a very long time after you've gone (days or weeks) and start very large forest fires. Just make sure you cave the dirt out with care and remove any tree roots that may be sticking into the fire hole.
Amen! on my property I was burning a old dead tree stump for over 3 days. then having to go into town I filled the hole with water, even though little smoke & hole was 3' deep 1' wide. On arriving home smoke was coming out, so I drowned it with water hose again. all seemed well for about 2 days, but as I worked in a flower bed 10-15' from stump, my foot fell into a burning root tunnel. My under ground battle lasted near 3 weeks! No serious injury, but a lesson learned.
I have read about these but it's the first time I've seen one made. Reading can only take me so far. What really cements it in my mind is watching someone do it and then doing it myself. Thanks, Dave!
Hey Dave! Hope all is well with you and yours, Good job on the firepit, I've been using the Dakota hole abet a slightly different version, since I first saw it in the 1959 edition of the Boy Scout Manual. It works like a charm especially in windy conditions and will burn anything, sticks, grass, even dried cattle dung (buffalo chips)! Thanks again, Pink
very instructional video .. an the dakota fire pit is something not alot know about or even use, almost like a lost art, a part of history.. Great Job Dave
Built one yesterday worked like a charm. The only hard part digging it in red Carolina backed clay now this was in an open field after it burned down the way I had it banked it was hard to see even at night. Thanks Dave.
What a master of outdoor arts to be able to construct that with the most inefficient tool ever made. And the first one that makes fun of his South Paw digging technique is getting a Left handed triangle bone to the Temple. Good video, good information, good fire technique. Can't wait to make my first Dakota Fire Hole.
From what I've read, this is the type of fire used by pioneers crossing the Great Plains where the wind blows more days than not. Used it many times myself in windy areas.
That's a he'll of a nice hole brother. You really showed a great mound around the pit too. A lot of videos leave that out and wonder why their fire doesn't draw. No venturi. Great video as usual.
Outstanding! This is a fine video. In the real world, the need for stealth cannot, in my view, be over estimated. There are many, many situations where it is in one's best interest not to be seen or heard. In fact, I am surprised that the Pathfinder School isn't talking a lot more about how to travel silently and unobserved on "scouts." It might be a lot of fun to hold some competitions designed to see is best at moving though specified areas while remaining unseen. I'm sure that the young-ins would love it! And it would be a great skill to have during various emergency situations.
Well, it better than most of the fires I see Dave start above ground on top of leaves and twigs and such. It always amazes me he has not burned down his property yet.
This is great, thank-you Dave. I was wondering about using a titanium plate as a frying pan but the problem with titanium is it does not distribute the heat evenly so it needs heat under the whole plate to cook well. This right here is the answer. Also could you put up the link to the pathfinder TV I want to subscribe, thanks again.
I bet that would be an excellent way to have a fire in a wall enclosed shelter as long as you make the tunnel long enough and have roof top ventilation like in a teepee . Maybe can take advantage of a squirrel hole
Thanks again Dave. I've wondered before but haven't had a chance to try it yet but it seems like a trench with a rock 'bridge' would create the same effect and the rock could be used to hold a pot.
I think it would create the same effect, the key behind the dakota fire pit is that the fire creates a vaccum using heat. The atmoshere pushes air into the hole and gives oxygen to the fire, faster then a normal fire. (Although I have never tryed the trench method before, I dont see why it would not work as long as the fire takes up one half of the trench and the rock would have to be large and create a tunnel)
Another nice feature of this type fire in addition to it's concealability is the ability to snuff is out quickly. If you use the dirt you removed from the hole to make a berm like Dave's example, then its convenient to pull it all in on top of the fire. Not the proper way to put out a fire though, since you've banked the coals for at least 24 hours.
Hi! I am not living in country where weather is exactly hot or dry, but we had cases of underground fires that set whole forrest on fire... like there are some old roots under the ground that will keep slowly smoldering for few days until they finaly reach some air or some dry wood on the ground meters away that will eventually start the fire again... Please beware of this...
MysticKnight is right. the dakota fire pit, is basically just a rocket stove, and some would say the rocket stove is basically just a dakota fire pit... the problem with the pits is that a root fire could take place, and you set the woods on fire. root fires dont just happen right there where you are... they can travel some distance underground before popping its head up and catching the woods on fire. so, when you do this, you have to be conscience about that.
gravityprone the fire isnt what happens... this mostly works on tree roots. dependng on the type of tree and how dead it is, what happens is, a fire catches fire the part of the root, then it smolders, and continues until a point where its out of the ground and catches fire... there are other things to consider and it does happen with other things aside from tree roots, but thats just an example.
Love the video, i saw your video about solar ignition, have you tried those credit-card sized magnifier sheets you can buy off ebay ? they work really well, i use them all the time for sigarette lighting, and they only cost 1$
I love your vids man! I need to find the time to put all you show into practice. But if the apocalypse comes sooner, please inbox me your bugout coordinates. K thanks.
One thing about the Dakota that might be a dis-advantage: be careful about the possibility of creating root fires. They can burn for a very long time after you've gone (days or weeks) and start very large forest fires. Just make sure you cave the dirt out with care and remove any tree roots that may be sticking into the fire hole.
Amen! on my property I was burning a old dead tree stump for over 3 days. then having to go into town I filled the hole with water, even though little smoke & hole was 3' deep 1' wide. On arriving home smoke was coming out, so I drowned it with water hose again. all seemed well for about 2 days, but as I worked in a flower bed 10-15' from stump, my foot fell into a burning root tunnel. My under ground battle lasted near 3 weeks! No serious injury, but a lesson learned.
I have read about these but it's the first time I've seen one made. Reading can only take me so far. What really cements it in my mind is watching someone do it and then doing it myself. Thanks, Dave!
Nice video on making a Dakota Pit Fire. Looks like you worked your butt off for this one.
Hey Dave! Hope all is well with you and yours, Good job on the firepit, I've been using the Dakota hole abet a slightly different version, since I first saw it in the 1959 edition of the Boy Scout Manual. It works like a charm especially in windy conditions and will burn anything, sticks, grass, even dried cattle dung (buffalo chips)! Thanks again, Pink
very instructional video .. an the dakota fire pit is something not alot know about or even use, almost like a lost art, a part of history.. Great Job Dave
Built one yesterday worked like a charm. The only hard part digging it in red Carolina backed clay now this was in an open field after it burned down the way I had it banked it was hard to see even at night. Thanks Dave.
Another advantage is that such a fire burns more effective than an open one. That means you need to collect less wood which saves calories.
What a master of outdoor arts to be able to construct that with the most inefficient tool ever made.
And the first one that makes fun of his South Paw digging technique is getting a Left handed triangle bone to the Temple.
Good video, good information, good fire technique. Can't wait to make my first Dakota Fire Hole.
Thanks Dave, REALLY COOL TECHNIQUE.
From what I've read, this is the type of fire used by pioneers crossing the Great Plains where the wind blows more days than not. Used it many times myself in windy areas.
That's a he'll of a nice hole brother. You really showed a great mound around the pit too. A lot of videos leave that out and wonder why their fire doesn't draw. No venturi. Great video as usual.
Outstanding! This is a fine video. In the real world, the need for stealth cannot, in my view, be over estimated. There are many, many situations where it is in one's best interest not to be seen or heard. In fact, I am surprised that the Pathfinder School isn't talking a lot more about how to travel silently and unobserved on "scouts." It might be a lot of fun to hold some competitions designed to see is best at moving though specified areas while remaining unseen. I'm sure that the young-ins would love it! And it would be a great skill to have during various emergency situations.
Well, it better than most of the fires I see Dave start above ground on top of leaves and twigs and such. It always amazes me he has not burned down his property yet.
i've used my machete ( mentioned in one of my vids ) to build a dakota fire hole .... works great ... great video mr. canterbury , thanks ....
Never thought of doin the mound part. Great vid.
I learn so much from your videos thanks Dave. I plan on putting some of these practices to work this summer when i'm in the woods.
Well done. I first saw this on davids passage. Great small channel.
thanks a bunch dave great video
This is great, thank-you Dave. I was wondering about using a titanium plate as a frying pan but the problem with titanium is it does not distribute the heat evenly so it needs heat under the whole plate to cook well. This right here is the answer. Also could you put up the link to the pathfinder TV I want to subscribe, thanks again.
I bet that would be an excellent way to have a fire in a wall enclosed shelter as long as you make the tunnel long enough and have roof top ventilation like in a teepee . Maybe can take advantage of a squirrel hole
Thanks again Dave.
I've wondered before but haven't had a chance to try it yet but it seems like a trench with a rock 'bridge' would create the same effect and the rock could be used to hold a pot.
I think it would create the same effect, the key behind the dakota fire pit is that the fire creates a vaccum using heat. The atmoshere pushes air into the hole and gives oxygen to the fire, faster then a normal fire. (Although I have never tryed the trench method before, I dont see why it would not work as long as the fire takes up one half of the trench and the rock would have to be large and create a tunnel)
Baked potatoes and fish, by the river tonight. Some hot apple cider too. Thanks
Another nice feature of this type fire in addition to it's concealability is the ability to snuff is out quickly. If you use the dirt you removed from the hole to make a berm like Dave's example, then its convenient to pull it all in on top of the fire. Not the proper way to put out a fire though, since you've banked the coals for at least 24 hours.
As always, a great vid. Thanks buddy.
I'm not a big fan of breaking earth to build a fire. I've had to put out a root fire, not as much fun as you would think.
Awesome technique. Can wait to give this a try.
-Jacko
Nice!
I've never made one..
Thanks for the video
Looks good, man! Seems those roots were a little hard to get through at the beginning....
Hi!
I am not living in country where weather is exactly hot or dry, but we had cases of underground fires that set whole forrest on fire... like there are some old roots under the ground that will keep slowly smoldering for few days until they finaly reach some air or some dry wood on the ground meters away that will eventually start the fire again...
Please beware of this...
Lighter? But the beard is back. Were there no rocks around?
Yep, I couldn't see any decent flints laying around to take a beard-strike!
MysticKnight is right. the dakota fire pit, is basically just a rocket stove, and some would say the rocket stove is basically just a dakota fire pit... the problem with the pits is that a root fire could take place, and you set the woods on fire.
root fires dont just happen right there where you are... they can travel some distance underground before popping its head up and catching the woods on fire. so, when you do this, you have to be conscience about that.
Here in Alaska, the ground itself can catch fire. The Peat can smoulder for years, then set trees on fire.
I'm not saying it can't happen, I'm no expert, but doesn't a fire need oxygen? Just wondering.
gravityprone the fire isnt what happens... this mostly works on tree roots. dependng on the type of tree and how dead it is, what happens is, a fire catches fire the part of the root, then it smolders, and continues until a point where its out of the ground and catches fire... there are other things to consider and it does happen with other things aside from tree roots, but thats just an example.
Vic Arous u still need oxygen to create fire...
Thanks!
Why didn't he light the fat wood with his beard?
Very nice video.
you should have lit the fire with your beard dave! :D
ANOTHER great video, brought to YOU by the pathfinder school! :)
That's a nice little tool
great video
Good video. Does this put off as much heat as a traditional above ground campfire with a rock perimeter?
Love the video, i saw your video about solar ignition, have you tried those credit-card sized magnifier sheets you can buy off ebay ? they work really well, i use them all the time for sigarette lighting, and they only cost 1$
Nice way to have a good way to cook.
Holy crap, there are a lot of roots there. o.o
I love your vids man! I need to find the time to put all you show into practice. But if the apocalypse comes sooner, please inbox me your bugout coordinates. K thanks.
Dave, what is your opinion of the small shovels. I have been thinking of getting one but did not find one at your store.
Interesting vid Brother very nice
Hey dave what boots do you wear when it gets hot as heck? Thanks
It could be more dangerous because underground root fire is harder to put out and harder to detect.
Why do you use a trowle to dig your hole instead of a shovel?
Why do you need this if you are not "behind" enemy lines? They can see your fire... so not sure what the point is.
Would heat come out the other hole? You coul make a shelter then have the heat blow in
at 5:15 is that a snare wire going on the fire?
Hm just saw Mors K ad before this vid.
Why not one made for pathfinder.
Its just youtube ad not tv ad
bad ass im going to make one
can you start a fire with a magnifying glass and a charred stick?
like a rocket stove in principal right
dad?
Dave think thats the first time | was you use a lighter.