Dakota Fire Hole Proper Construction and Use

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Dave Canterbury, David Canterbury, The Pathfinder School,Bush Craft ,Survival skills, Historical Lore, Primitive Skills, Archery, Hunting, Trapping, Fishing, Navigation, Knives, Axes, Fire, Water, Shelter, Search and Rescue

[@preparedsurvivalist2245]

You can also do a cheater version and just dig a trench, then stick a big rock in the middle with an air gap under it. Basically creates the same effect. Digging actual holes and tunnels can be difficult sometimes due to the soil type and limited tool availability.

[@Eternal_Hope_Q]

I taught my 6 year old how to make a dakota fire hole today, then we cooked omelettes on it...he loved every minute of it! He likes to work hard 😊 I told him 'you need to see the flames pointing down into the hole' as I thought that would be best so he can tell if the draw is correct. No flames apart from when introducing the next bits of wood but the smoke only lasted a short minute. This would be fab if you needed a fire but didn't want detecting!

[@Jesses001]

I used to do that as a kid. We were rather poor so when it was a grilling day, we would take a metal grate outside, dig one of these, and have ourselves a little BBQ.

[@blackhatbushcraft]

Great demonstration as always. I tend to use the Dakota fire hole more often in the warmer months when things are really dry or windy for a safety measure and also because as you stated warming myself is not an issue. These are truly fantastic for cooking. Thank you for another great video Dave.

[@lorriewatson7423]

Best video I have seen on how to construct this properly! Thank you!

[@semco72057]

I saw Survival Lilly make a similar type of pit for making a fire on in her teepee and I liked it so much. I am glad to see the reason for doing this and fully explained again.

[@the3rdchin340]

Very helpful vid, my first attempt at the fire hole failed some what but with your education I'm looking forward to my next wild camp thank you & always remember leave no trace

[@ouchymytoe]

Yeah! I love the back to basics videos! I think fire lays are WAY overlooked. You've done them justice, though. Thanks.

[@benjaminpendleton7797]

Did this up in Centralia, Pa. years ago. Worked great!

[@ben8509]

Actually just used this exact example of a cooking fire this past weekend at a winter rendezvou in Grand Rapids OH. Exceptional cooking fire as you mentioned. As always Dave, fantastic job! Thank you for sharing!

[@samuelgustavsson4208]

Hey Dave, have you ever tried to make your own charcoal for the forge? I have just recently switched over to making my own charcoal in an old 20L paint bucket with scrap lumber and planks from the local carpenter, saves me a lot of money as well in the long run. It took me just 3 hours to make the coal and with some sort of collection device, you can collect the tar escaping from the lumber if you use pine or spruce lumber that is. Of course you can use any kind of wood preferably hardwood, i just chose planks and lumber because theres lots of it, and no carpenter wants it after they're done building. they just throw away perfectly good peices of wood so i figured, why not take it and use it for the forge? Anyway, just thought maybe you wanted to try it out, have a great day and good luck with all your future projects.

[@bushman4124]

nice to see you out again, doing bushcraft, i use a dakota pit often in the summer times when it is dry and warm, i wish we have sand ground as you do, here we have too lay the walls and buttom with rocks and gravel. anyhow great video, keep them coming.

[@jeffreysmall2397]

Thos was an excellent video...tank you for getting this information out there. Self reliance is the first step to actual freedom from oppressive forces...they make you go where they want and act how they want....learning these skills shows them that you do what you want and don't need them. Kudo to you Dave. The Dakota is actually one of my go to fire setups while camping and you canuse it for warmth but you have to position it inside the shelter...I use a tarp and hammock and run the Dakota at the rear of my tarp opening...ventilation is key for this...old viking houses had a similar setup up with a massive cooking trench inside the house with venturi shafts coming in from under the hut walls...4 foot long pit fed outside air to fuel and keep the fire going. Like I said old school as heck.

[@snaponjohn100]

Great video brother. That's the best demo I've seen on the Internet. God bless you man. John

[@dcsliving6722]

Another great video. I will try this technique on my next multi-day camp out. Thanks Dave!

[@BJJJUDO]

LOL. Looks like you picked the rockiest, rootiest patch of ground in the while woods ;) Great stuff as always. Thanks for the instruction.

[@WizardMindBarbarianBody]

It's not a warming fire but you could warm bottles and such to use as bed heaters in it if you're keeping a low profile.

[@thetruckerskitchen772]

Great video! Some other advantages of the Dakota pit is that it is not visible from long distances. You literally have to be on top of it to see it. Also it burns hotter which means you produce less smoke as a conventional fire for cooking .... I was told a long time ago only make the hole as big as your pan you are putting on it and to drive a wood stick in from the windward side into it about 1 to 2 feet away making a funnel for the air flow when you remove the stick. Either way is right and will work great for anyone.

[@Lellobeetle]

Great demonstration, Dave. Many thanks from Pittsburgh. Laura

[@trynsurviven2440]

Question: With that many roots that you had to cut through ( which by the way I realize you will when your in the woods), is there a higher chance of starting a root fire? If so, could you please explain what that is for those that may not completely understand what they are? Thanks for another great video Dave I have learned a lot from you.

[@tinytin5]

Could you do a video on digging clay and how to process it down to make camp projects? If you want you could even go as far as building an earthen kiln and fire some pieces. Thank You for taking you time to make videos, I really enjoy watching and learning from them.

[@BarryDutton]

Great video teaching, as always. Shared on my SM. I cannot wait to try my own. TY Dave.

[@WayneTheSeine]

Thank you for all of your hard work.....as always, awesome instruction.

[@lisarochwarg4707]

Good demonstration. It looks a lot safer than a surface level fire, esp. with all those dry leaves blowing around.

[@smashallpots1428]

hey Dave how are you liking that dutch oven now that you've had some time to use it a bit more

[@RustyNail5856]

great video, I love cooking with those cast iron pots.

[@duane1234561]

Great demonstration, thanks Dave

[@mattydread6618]

The only other thing I would add (and I am no expert), is that I have heard that you have to watch out for a potential root fire taking off underground. I do not know how likely that is, but just wanted to bring it up. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Thanks for the continued info Dave! Appreciate all the knowledge you impart to us!

[@2bonosc]

In a camp I would think this pit would also make for easy clean up, just dump dirt over it and it would be like you were never there. It seems ideal for covering something in tin foil or clay , rest on the coals , cover all of it with dirt and let bake over night yes?

[@jonathanturner8881]

I remember you dug this whole to teach forging in the woods, and you used some cloth or something to channel the wind into the tunnel

[@miketurner2945]

Hey Dave speaking of old vids can you do one on making yourself camouflaged with natural materials, I remember a long time ago you did one and used different mosses and dirt and applied them to your face etc. it was a long long time ago but a great video.

[@OverOnTheWildSide]

All those leaves… I’m envious.

[@southpawbushcraft7522]

I saw this when you did it before, great way to cook. Thanks Dave.

[@jimholden8975]

Good video. Instructive in many ways. Complements.

[@5tevef]

Dakotas used this for stealth since it doesn't produce the same among of smoke as an open fire does. I love this setup the best but I have to admit mine are smaller and I end up putting more wood in later to keep it going. I'll try the bigger hole next time.

[@StoneE4]

If the area you build a Dakota fire hole in has a lot of roots, do you have to be more meticulous about making sure your fire is properly extinguished once you are done with the fire?

[@darrylsmitherman5397]

Absolutely

[@myke321321321]

Great video Dave. Question: Do you have a video that shows how to clean and care for cast iron cookware while on the trail? I searched your videos but did not see anything. Thanks.

[@NadNotsgnivil]

Hell, yeah. Love the vids, and channel. I'm taking my boy Bud to the store in Indy this week. We love Bush Craft.

[@weardiwo]

Great vid, I've heard this fire is great for stealth, but it seems like it would produce way 2 much smoke 4 lack of air.

[@aza_mayi]

Wow that's a great way to cook food thank you for sharing that system with us

[@WandaHollis]

Would you still be able to smell a fire even though you can't see the smoke? Thanks

[@minktrappingpaddy]

Very interesting! It'd make you wonder how the idea for this and other methods, were thought up in the first place.

[@RealRickyRoss]

+Minktrappingpaddy I remember hearing that the Dakota Indians started making their cooking fires this way, because the flame produces a low light signature, reduced smoke, and is easier to ignite under strong wind conditions.

[@Spam-defence-2]

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[@JesseMRoss]

I have one built at my cabin works great it's larger with rocks stacked around the back with to grates at different levels between the rocks cook on it all the time.

[@WOLFMAN2975]

And that's how she's done!. Good instructional vid Dave. : ) Tyler ...? what were you cooking.

[@hunt4fish]

nice job on the demo..cheers

[@OneCatholicSpeaks]

I've always wondered if a dakota fire pit could be dug in soaked ground. Also, I've wondered what protects the wall between the two holes from collapsing.

[@TheLordsxdad]

nice vid thank you Dave is it possible to put a washer on a ferro rod and use it single handed keep up the good work brother

[@asheradensein]

thanks for another great vid Dave!

[@ErictheACKACKTOR]

Always great Dave.

[@billyjoedenny]

i have seen it done in the snow the same way dave, wye not just a trench fire and just build a bridge like you did . maybe less labor. great fire lay for high winds..... ..bill

[@Waldhandwerk]

Cool (hot) fire and setup. Take care Dave.

[@dalemyers9265]

i could see a layering of stone or even gravel over the coals to make a warm bedding. but that would mean a longer fire pit and an exist for the exhaustion of fumes. even if it means the use of metal foils as a barrier between the stone and thin layer of soil. so the soil doesn't snuff out your fire and coals, if you stone base is too thin, in an area where stone isn't as plentiful. and the foil will help diffuse the heat if you have hot spots as it burns. maybe it's not as necessary. but it is a optional thought. if your out and about in a slate belt. the foil wouldn't be necessary at all.

[@ObsessedGamerYT]

Mr.C, do you think using a fire like this would be a ,good/better, choice when smoking or drying meat?

[@papaschuette]

Thanks for the great information. When I've made my Dakota Fire Pits, I didn't use the sod to cover most of the air hole. I just left the hole the way it was. Does it make a difference either way? Also, I have noticed over time that it appears you don't wet form your knife sheaths. Is there any particular reason? I form mine to get the most retention I can get. I would get sick if I lost my PLSK 1 because it fell out of the sheath.

[@arlynelauro9872]

I thought this kind of fire was supposed to have less smoke?

[@soldtobediers]

From 23 yrs. of bridge construction inspection for the Texas Hwy. Dept. i can attest to the fact that every completed bridge drew an air current beneath them. At 120 in the shade and absolutely no breeze outside... there is always a nice 10 degree drop in temperature and said breeze under any given bridge. That's why you'll always find the hobo in the summer months, and the after hour bridge constructors drinking their beer under the breeze of the bridge. i'm tickled when i think of what Lincoln said to a passer by while he was near completion of building a fire place... Abe, does she draw? Lincoln's reply was said to be... Yep! You're the third damn fool that she's drawn today! Thank's again Dave till you and your viewers are better paid by this fire design. -gilpin 2-29-16

[@MorganBW53]

nice demo sir

[@virginiacopeland108]

Thanks, Clark

[@kkrall1056]

awesome, Dave, thank you!

[@jtigers20]

thanks Dave

[@captmoa]

Would lining the sides and edge of the fire pit help with radiating heat?

[@stephenzevetchin]

agreed. really good video. i'll look up the other one too. thank you.

[@saiaddict]

awesome vid as always but didnt u alreardy make a vid about this a little while back ?

[@websiteanimex]

you are awesome old man. you are my father figure.

[@bluetea1400]

Would you use this kind of fire to produce coals for barbecue? It seems like with the air flow you can produce coals very quickly, and because it's in ground very safely.

[@darronjknight]

no, for charcoal you want to restrict oxygen for a slow incomplete burn, I've seen old oil drums used to do a charcoal burn.

[@gray5627]

Thank you very much for the tutorial!

[@Next72Hours]

thanks Dave, great work yet again :)

[@AltairDhauglu]

If I'm sleeping in ain enclosed tarp, having a dakota firepit will pull the smoke out ur pull it in if I don't place the wind pointing at the hole? and how would you advice to set it to avoid melting the tarp? or is an alcohol stove a better option in that case?

[@rheidtech]

thanks dave!

[@punkhiker389]

Great info as always!

[@garyhouston113]

in effect the worlds first rocket stove

[@toneyjohnson8910]

Please keep the videos coming. Love the cooking ones. Got my Harmony soup greens in last week and tried the Hobo stew but forgot to defrost any meat so I remembered you cooking with the Jack Links LiL chubs an it turned out great. Thanks I have now added it to my list of things I cook in camp. Next I will try deer in it. Thanks for all you do.

[@redman8067]

Excellent

[@daltonvickers7977]

Thanks for this video

[@Kristoffceyssens]

t his would be nice to made out of clay soil i think. it would get baked and hard after a few uses.

[@michaelcarter8209]

Outstanding

[@demmorph4219]

does too much ash choking the airhole after some time ? never tried to do dakota fire at our rocky terrain...

[@tomritter493]

OK knew I seen you do this before around yurt time but new ppl all the time it was worth a second show ATB brother ....tom

[@traprmike]

I can't believe your in Tshirt weather on Feb 29. didn't think you were that far south.

[@kyle87436]

We're having unseasonably warm temps in Ohio. Probably 60 degrees here plus physical labor.

[@traprmike]

good for you guys, early start to Spring! We just had 3 inches of snow in SE MN last night. made everything nice and clean again.... for a few days.

[@charlie4130]

Please get yourself a lodge Dutch oven my brother you'll love it. God bless you and your family.

[@DavidCanterbury]

Own several brother

[@wanderingthewilderness]

good video. thanks man

[@ikillzuepicly316]

Im wondering what was cooking??? If there was something or not

[@JoeZelensky]

I prefer a slightly smaller and deeper burn hole, and a deeper and farther draft hole.

[@thegreatlakespiper3780]

very cool!

[@banjobushcraft8454]

New ink on your forearms?

[@sanziopinheiro5079]

Very interesting.... good... hug!

[@Kevin-is-here]

What's in the pot Dave

[@JAKE-qr3rv]

thanks good vid

[@jesiahwetherald]

Cool!

[@darideric5848]

You already did a great video on this , but ty anyway

[@DavidCanterbury]

+Dari Derić Just the fact that you know that deserves a thank you as it is about 2 years old and I get lots of questions daily and "Why don't you do's" about videos I have already shot-

[@darideric5848]

+wildernessoutfitters yea whell i think youvdeserve a thank you bcs you teached a lots of people a lots of things evven me myself have learned a few things so keep the good work Dave

[@flamedrag18]

+Dari Derić I would say that this is a better demonstration of it, better camera skills, more knowledge, ect, make this updated video better.

[@darideric5848]

***** yea butt the point and usefullness of it is showed in the older video as whell althou i aprihiate this one too

[@brewmaster0507]

and when the next guy comes along, he breaks his ankle on it. nice trap!

[@nappyheadcj_yt8655]

He littaraly just said "AIRATION"😂😂😂😂😂

[@terrysaunders8948]

nice to no how to make one

[@rheidtech]

yeah...leave a smaller footprint by not burning the forest down with all the dry leaves around. great vid.

[@JCrook1028]

+R HEIDEMAN Notice that the forest didn't burn down?

[@rheidtech]

The one in my home town did. From some hiker on the Appalachian trail stoppin to cook food. Make a vid on how quickly forest fires can start. Over.

[@JCrook1028]

R HEIDEMAN So no one should ever build a fire? Just because bad things happen sometimes is no reason to ever go out into the woods. Fact is, Dave was perfectly safe in what he did.

[@rheidtech]

JCrook1028 um......just be careful please...have a beer or somethin.

[@Dem0D1ck]

One purpose of the fire pit is to be smokeless, adding too much kindling at the onset defeats that purpose. The fire is below ground so it can't be seen at night, another purpose. Dave on the other hand ignores both.

[@spacejihadist4246]

Start your fire from the top.

[@AgeofReason]

Dude says this is proper but failed to use gasoline, smh 🙄🙄🙄

[@ordinary2281]

He is like my dad.

[@jefferymoffitt]

this video should be called "proper shovel use with a side of dinner"