Self feeding camp fire!

[mtb 26]

This was NOT my idea I'm just posting it because I thought it was interesting, and because some of you might like to see and or discuss it. :D

http://budurl.com/FIREVIDEO

[jankerson]

I have seen people built fires like that back in the 70's and 80's.

We used to build them very similar when I was in the USMC, but on a larger scale.

[mtb 26]

How well did they work?

[jankerson]

How well did they work?

They work very well from what I have seen and built.

[Noss]

I'm going to have to try this method out. Thanks for the link.

[xxo]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSfn10esVgw

[Noss]

Good video. looks like this method is clearly superior.

[kiah]

Upside down fire, pyramid fire, council fire. It's an old technique. Graves spoke highly of it in 'Bushcraft'. Smoke is lessened and heat is increased as it passes through the coals on top for secondary combustion. Build it big enough and it will go all night without tending in the open air. Enclosing it and reflecting the heat will make it last longer as well.

I'm building a barrel stove right now (55 gal) based on an upside down upside down fire if you will. It will be self feeding from an open sided magazine where air can circulate the top and dry green wood but will burn on the bottom only with a downdraft and heated air pipe causing secondary combustion through a coal bed before being sucked up by the draft. This will give the benefit of the upside down fire in a stove, while still being able to feed it from an upper door and have the ability to dry green wood on it's way down. It will also allow fagots to be used more effectively than in a traditional upside down fire (or rightside up fire) by keeping them compressed on their trip to the combustion level.

I'll post pics when it's finished.

[Noss]

Sounds like an interesting project. I look forward to the photos.

[trib trekker]

Almost immediately after I saw the hedgehog video, I went out and took the concept to the "Texas" level. I put a layer of split and quartered 8 inch pieces (cut standard fireplace length) on the bottom, then a layer of 10" whole pieces 3 wide on top of that. Then 4, 6" whole pieces on top of that, then a layer of 3" and then 1" with my bird nest on the top. Ignition was at 1:15 p.m. I dressed the coal bed one last time at 1:30 and never touched it again. I cooked a 4 lb. tri-tip from 4:40-5:45 p.m. along with some Pillsbury crescents wrapped on sticks. Finished dinner around 6:30. Fire continued to produce heat and small flame past 9:00. Stokable embers still present at 12 hrs without ever having been touched. This method is a KEEPER!!