Scot,
Great review on the Insta fire product.I just ordered some and will test and report back. Thank you.
I’d also like to comment on the Dakota fire hole you discussed.
We were told by our SFQC survival course instructors that the hole was used by the Dakota Plains Indians, as the terrain is flat and windy, and needed a way to get a fire going, and keep the smoke signature down.
I do not know if that is true or not, but I do know for a fact that it was taught to us, and we used it quite successfully on a 7-day survival course in the Uwharrie National Forrest, where we were required to have a fire going all the time or it was an automatic disqualification.
Add in a debris lean to and log fire wall/reflector, and one has a nifty warm/dry hooch.
It does not take much wood, and when the wood burns down to coals, it stays hot and easily cooks food, warms the bones, and can be brought back to a roaring fire with little effort.
If one has kids/Scouts, this is a great skill to teach them.
Once again, thank you. – PSYOP Soldier