How to Make a Dakota Fire Pit

[cajunlady87]

I've watched many online videos of people making Dakota Fire Pits, from those in the military to hikers and campers.   What I learned from these is the hole sizes varied so much, so use your discretion to decide how wide you'd like to make the size of yours, it's the technique itself and the depth that really counts.

You will be digging two holes, the fire hole and the vent hole which feeds oxygen to your fire hole for your fire to burn hotter and more efficiently.  My fire hole is approximately 7" round and the vent hole is approximately 5" round. Both are approximately 12" deep. First dig your fire pit hole, move over about 7" and dig your vent hole making sure it's the same depth as the fire hole.

Next use a hand spade and start digging out that 7" space between the two holes. Dig at the very bottom from the fire hole which is larger to work around in, towards the direction of the smaller vent hole creating a tunnel about 4" round to connect the two. Think of it as creating a horseshoe shape when finished. After doing this your Dakota Fire Pit is ready to use.

Start gathering various stages of tinder and firewood to start your fire. Place your smallest tinder on the ground in your fire hole and light it up. Gradually introduce larger tinder like making a fire on the ground. Lastly place your bigger firewood standing up but not sticking out of the hole itself, your fire should last quite some time, or just add more firewood to keep it burning longer. If you're cooking something at the time you can add more firewood through the vent hole.


ADD ON: It goes without saying but ya just never know. This method will not be so ideal in down pouring rain as the holes will quickly fill up with water. On the bright side if you place a plastic bag in it you will have a good rain catcher.

[offtrail]

Of all the fires I have had Iv'e never built a dakota fire pit. One of these days I need to make one just to see how it does. Thanks for the post

[angelhelp]

OT, you were the last person I expected to not have done the Dakota hole fire yet. Guess what? Neither have I. Digging is such "fun" around here that I usually stick to my kettle grill at home. It could be worth a try in the park, especially in a location I visit frequently, and the holes could easily be camouflaged. I'd have to check for critters each time.

[cajunlady87]

Sept 19, 2013 8:12:53 GMT -7 offtrail said:

Of all the fires I have had Iv'e never built a dakota fire pit. One of these days I need to make one just to see how it does. Thanks for the post

I agree 100% OT, of course you do have a neat little retractable handled grill which I'm still trying to find and would be ideal to use with this fire.

[cajunlady87]

Sept 19, 2013 8:55:27 GMT -7 angelhelp said:

OT, you were the last person I expected to not have done the Dakota hole fire yet. Guess what? Neither have I. Digging is such "fun" around here that I usually stick to my kettle grill at home. It could be worth a try in the park, especially in a location I visit frequently, and the holes could easily be camouflaged. I'd have to check for critters each time.

Yes you would want to check the pit each time for critters before usage.

[graf]

99% of the time the Dakota Fire Pit is my choice, burns hotter than surface fires, harder to detect in a stealth operation, lay a couple green sticks across the top and you have a grill grid. Those who haven't tried it prepare to be addicted. In the cold months when the ground is frozen I build a surface fire and burn it until the ground thaws beneath then use the pick side of my tomahawk to dig it out, when building the airway sometimes its easier to create a trench insert a 2" stick then mold the dirt back around it and then remove the stick.

[cajunlady87]

Sept 19, 2013 14:59:36 GMT -7 graf said:

99% of the time the Dakota Fire Pit is my choice, burns hotter than surface fires, harder to detect in a stealth operation, lay a couple green sticks across the top and you have a grill grid. Those who haven't tried it prepare to be addicted. In the cold months when the ground is frozen I build a surface fire and burn it until the ground thaws beneath then use the pick side of my tomahawk to dig it out, when building the airway sometimes its easier to create a trench insert a 2" stick then mold the dirt back around it and then remove the stick.

Great tips graf, do you still have the pic of your floorless tent with the Dakota Fire Pit, half in half out of your tent. I always thought that was a kewl pic and idea.

[graf]

I do have it plus a Tee Pee with the same set up but have alot of trouble uploading here

[cajunlady87]

Sept 20, 2013 2:19:46 GMT -7 graf said:

I do have it plus a Tee Pee with the same set up but have alot of trouble uploading here

What a pity because it's a perfect example showing how a Dakota Fire Pit can be incorporated and useful in a shelter.

[angelhelp]

I still have graf's pictures

[angelhelp]

[angelhelp]

[orly152]

Sept 20, 2013 3:06:18 GMT -7 angelhelp said:

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I like that a lot...thanks for sharing

[cajunlady87]

Sept 20, 2013 3:03:09 GMT -7 angelhelp said:

I still have graf's pictures

Many thanks for posting pics of graf's teepee showing his Dakota Fire Pit with the fire hole inside and the vent hole outside of it . Was wondering if you also had one of his tent setup?

[graf]

If you want I will e-mail you the pics and you can post them and or save them