Fire Pit Redux🔥Forced Air, Green Energy, Dakota Style Fire Pit

A couple of years ago I made video showing enhancements which I had made to my fire pit to help eliminate smoke and produce a more productive fire. I've now made modifications to the initial design of my smokeless, forced air, green energy, Dakota style fire pit based on suggestions from my viewers. Watch the video to see the surprising outcome.
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Due to factors beyond the control of Bud’s Home Automation’s and Repairs, aka Bud’s Odd Jobs, and (hereafter referred to as Bud’s Channel), I cannot guarantee against improper application, use or unauthorized modifications of the information provided in my instructional videos. Bud’s Channel assumes no liability for property damage of incurred injury as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use of any of the information contained in this or any video produced by Bud’s Channel is at your own risk. Bud’s Channel recommends safe practices when working with power tools, machines, home electrical circuits or products featured in my videos. Due to factors beyond the control of Bud’s Channel, no information contained in this or any other video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from the application of information contained in my videos is the sole responsibility of the user and not Bud’s Channel.
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#BudsHomeAutomation #HomeAutomationIdeas #SmartHomeIdeas

[@daniellealeksieva9910]

Every household should have 1

[@BudsSmartHome]

Absolutely Daniel!

[@BC-cx9mx]

I have a similar ventilation design concept for my own yard, but I never contemplated a blower. The rising heat, I reasoned, would be adequate to draw in fresh air. Thank you for validating my design concept.

[@BudsSmartHome]

@@BC-cx9mx - You’re welcome 😉

[@andrejoubert3033]

I like the way you try to foresee any misunderstandings and preempt possible negative comments by mentioning certain things extra-clearly... :)

[@BudsSmartHome]

Thanks Andre’

[@SuperBajafresh]

I concur with your findings and conclusion. When I start my Dakota fire pit, I use my blower for the first few minutes and then I just shut it off once the flames and the fire get going. Easy. Additionally, I took an old washing machine tub and converted that into a potable Dakota fire pit with wired cloth handles. Inserted a metal wall around holes inner section, left two holes and placed a metal sliding cover to control air flow. Simple to start at the beach. I also got at the swapmeet a top cover they use to cook fish tacos and use that to cook meals. 🥱Enjoy but be safe. 👍🍇🎶🎶🍳🍷

[@BudsSmartHome]

Your portable dakota fire pit sound very cool! Thanks for sharing.

[@1b1uster]

Including the ancillary electrical equipment and overall build materials, this has got to be the most expensive Dakota fire pit in North America! I’m sure Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull would be hiding their smiles while elbowing each other. :)

[@BudsSmartHome]

Thanks for commenting William. 😉

[@unclejack41]

Very nice work !!!

[@BudsSmartHome]

Thank you.

[@mattnbin]

It would be a huge difference if you used a blower like they use in pipe organs. They are quiet and you could duct it from a shed housing the blower. Air volume would increase dramatically.

[@BudsSmartHome]

@@mattnbin - great tip! Thanks!

[@mttbrwn05]

It would work a lot better with dry and split fire wood. Hardwood is best.

[@BudsSmartHome]

Absolutely! 👍

[@whoever6458]

Geez, I did it an easier way and just pointed a USB fan down the air inlet of my Dakota fire pit. It did really help for exactly what you said, which is when you're trying to light a fire or when you're trying to catch new wood that you put in the fire. It might also cause the fire to burn hotter but I think you're right that it starts sucking in its own air once it gets going. For the same reason, fire can actually suck the air out of your lungs if you get stuck in a fire.

[@BudsSmartHome]

Thanks for commenting Who Ever. 🙂

[@Bozemanjustin]

If you want a smokeless fire you need to burn it like a candle from the top down. Smoke is just unburnt fuel so if your fire is on top.. any smoke from wood that has yet to ignite, will pass through the flames and burn. Stack your largest wood on the bottom and build yourself essentially a pallet system Logs going one way and then your next layer 90° to that. Really good air flow like a stack of wooden pallets Then light the very top of your stack which is where your smallest tinder is. That fire will heat the wood directly underneath it which will start to smoke and the smoke will pass directly through the flame burning it The fire will continue to grow larger and larger as it burns and reaches larger wood, and you will never have a drop of smoke above the tree line.

[@BudsSmartHome]

Good tip. Thanks!

[@DocterKankle]

This is such an excellent video. So much amazing content compact into one video thank you for sharing friend! I'm beginning to start my electrical journey as well as harvesting energy. I'm curious to know an average of how many watts your wind turbine gets!

[@BudsSmartHome]

Hello. I don’t get too much energy from the wind turbine. Just enough to charge a single 12 V AGM battery. I use the power to run a light in the station as well as to power the blower in the fire pit. That’s about the extent of it.

[@ericmasterson834]

Try covering the air intake by the tree while it's burning to see if the heat is in fact drawing it's own air past the fan.

[@BudsSmartHome]

Thanks Eric. I did that and found that it was drawing air. Thanks for commenting.

[@jjfore0921]

You have a 4” inlet going to small outlet holes. You’re not moving the air that the blower is capable of. With that much restriction on the outlet I doubt a leaf blower would work. Also, you need your oxygen introduced higher in the fire. This is what allows the smoke to ignite and burn off. KZbin how a solo stove works. This will give you an idea of what I’m talking about.

[@BudsSmartHome]

Thanks!

[@fivestar8337]

Thanks for the good info. What do you think about routing the intake with galvanized dryer vent tube further away and using a fan you can plug in to an outlet outside? Considering doing it like this myself.

[@BudsSmartHome]

I actually seen someone do exactly what you are suggesting. You just want to make sure you follow electrical code if you’re going to bury the electrical wires leading to the blower.

[@fivestar8337]

@Bud's Smart Home Cool! I'm close enough for a heavy gauge extension cord I could wind up when I'm done. I would have to do some tests on how much cfm loss there would be with a portable fan over a 35-40 ft run though. Thanks 👍

[@BudsSmartHome]

@@fivestar8337 👍

[@johnmycroft3065]

the above ground ones look like crap

[@BudsSmartHome]

I agree John

[@jamesbowman1767]

You're running your blower backwards. Don't force air IN, you suck air (and smoke) OUT. Technically, you shouldn't even need a blower, as outside air movement will create a natural siphon.

[@BudsSmartHome]

Thanks for commenting James.

[@johndomoe3735]

I disagree pulling air out can also pull embers where as pushing air pushes embers away from the blower. You dont want to heat the blower by pulling hot air into it thats asking to melt it and start an unwanted fire. IMO.

[@BudsSmartHome]

Your logic is sound John.

[@Thor_Underdunk_Caballerial]

James - You're working against the way this design naturally works with heat rising and drawing air from underneath. Dakota fire holes are efficient for a reason.

[@unclejack41]

Natural Convection, no fan needed😮