Dakota fire pit

[Everything Mac]

Hi all - anyone used these?

I had a bit of a play in the garden with one today and it worked rather well.

Andy

 

[Greg]

I have used this type of fire, its very good, isn't hard to make, doesn't require a lot of fuel & the heat is easily controlled. I also like making a Yukon Stove having been shown how to a couple of years ago!
But with both the air channel has to be into the wind or the fire stuffs out quite quickly!

 

[gsfgaz]

No mate , but i've always want to try one ... any pics or vids of it in action

 

[jamesk]

I tried one of these last time I went on camp with the Explorer Scout Unit I help at. Great fire, really good fun and very hot!

 

[bojit]

Do you mean one of these Andy ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vz9J7La6WXQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYxxyCEFvZ8&NR=1

Craig..............

 

[Everything Mac]

yup, that's the bugger.

I only had a 15minute play but it seemed like a pretty good idea to me.

I'll have another go in the next few days and get pictures.

A

 

[durulz]

Pictures! Pictures! We must have pictures!

 

[decorum]

Yup, they're useful little fires.

Construction on ground with a high percentage of organic mass in it is best avoided :yikes: .

 

[treadlightly]

Is there not a risk of fire spreading by burning roots in that set up?

 

[Greg]

This shows how to make one.

http://www.survivaltopics.com/survival/the-dakota-fire-hole/

 

[Everything Mac]

I forgot about this thread.

Here are a few dodgy pictures, it was pretty dark when I did it so they didn't come out great.

I was very impressed with it. As long as the ground isn't peat it would be a very good camp fire.

Andy

 

[shogun]

this looks good thanks for links and vids lads

 

[santaman2000]

Is there not a risk of fire spreading by burning roots in that set up?

The main advantage of this fire pit is it's use in high wind areas where a surface fire is dangerous at best, impossible at worst. Hence the name "Dakota" Fire Pit. It was developed in the Dakotas, which are in the Great Plains, where wind is constant.

 

[forestwalker]

Yup, they're useful little fires.

Construction on ground with a high percentage of organic mass in it is best avoided :yikes: .

Which is the reason I've never tried them. I suppose I could try one on a nearby beach... In podsol type soil; not a chance, would be criminal negligence.

 

[santaman2000]

Which is the reason I've never tried them. I suppose I could try one on a nearby beach... In podsol type soil; not a chance, would be criminal negligence.

And yet, the Sue, Cheyenne and Cherokee used them successfully for centuries. Then the Scouts taught it successfully for decades (until they turned away from fire altogether)

 

[forestwalker]

And yet, the Sue, Cheyenne and Cherokee used them successfully for centuries. Then the Scouts taught it successfully for decades (until they turned away from fire altogether)

Of course. But I'm *fairly* certain that they did not generally make them in a coniferous forest, full of tree roots and other organic material. Of course, in the dense forest there is no need for one either.

 

[santaman2000]

Of course. But I'm *fairly* certain that they did not generally make them in a coniferous forest, full of tree roots and other organic material. Of course, in the dense forest there is no need for one either.

No they didn't make them in a forest. What I was thinking of was how the prairie grasses (which is exactly where they did make them) may well be very like the peat soil though. TBH in a coniferous forest full of tree roots you not only wouldn't need one but I suspect digging through such roots would be near impossible if they were close enough to be a danger.

 

[Toddy]

Peat doesn't quite 'flame' not even as a fire, it smoulders very hot, a bit like charcoal tbh. It makes it deceptive. It can be very carbon rich and only needs a minimal source of oxygen to survive.
You may think the fire is out, but it's not, it's just hiding away and getting ready to break out. The fire can travel quite a distance before you realise that the peat is alight, and by then, it's too late and a heck of a task to expose it all and soak it out.
What makes it more treacherous is that the hidden burning peat can burn for months and years.

cheers,
Toddy

 

[santaman2000]

That sounds like some of the sawdust fires here. They used to ocassionally catch fire and smolder just the same way at the sawmills. Not so much now-a-days though; the sawdust itself is a cash product now so the piles no longer accumulate.

 

[Toddy]

It can be a real problem in areas where there is both peat and forest. The peat can hold the fire for years and then suddenly it sets dry roots alight and the forest goes up
Russia and Indonesia had huge problems with peat fires last year.

The Dakota firepit is a goodie, but it really bears careful consideration of site.

cheers,
Toddy