Hello Dave and fellow subscribers! This is gonna be a long comment but I think you gonna like it if you have a little patience to read it to the end. To the subject at hand. Theres pretty easy way to make natural material scrubber from birch bark. You'll have to cut half inch wide strips from birch bark about 30 or so peaces, longer the better but 6 to 8 inches long would do it, cut those following the long grain of that bark so that you'll have strips bending on both ends. Tie them together to bundles of 5 to 7 strips in the midle with thin bankline or similar thin string so that the bark is bending outwards from that bundle. Then tie these bundles altogether in a form that the bark is bending on all directions outwards. Then toss this baby in boiling water and watch the magic happens. If everything was according to plan you should have a ball shaped scrubber that will last long and are very useful to clean many things from your cooking ware to your body. This is what were used a long time ago in Finland. I know my english isn't that good, but if you need pictures to help to get the idea, google up HUOSIAIN. Thats the old word in finnish for sponge or scrubber. Gonna end this now, kinda hope that theres even couple of guys that read it all the way. And even better if you found it useful, especially you Dave! Keep this cooking series up and going, always eager to learn more about whats your doing. Greets from Finland! -Kake
I've been cleaning my cook kit like this for over 30 years and never once got sick... if it makes you more comfortable fill the pot , bring it to boil and add the utensils to truly sterilize it all. One thing I've learned along the way is to put a handful of sand or gravel in the dirty pot so the boiling water has a scrubbing action with the abrasive in it. Thanks Dave, good video for newbs to see.
THIS is the kind of good practical information that is missing from UA-cam today on camping site chores. Good stuff. I've made it my habit to immediately fill a pot or pan up with water as soon as I take my grub out, let that boil up real quick as I set my food to the side and prepare it for eating, then I go back to my cookware and take the minute or two that I need to wipe everything off while it's still very soft. When it's had to sit for a while because I couldn't get to it right away, I've used sandy soil and leaves with boiling water to scrub them out and for especially tough spots, I've made an improvised scrub brush out of either a branch with split ends or a bunch of twigs.
When I was a kid my dad and I would ride horses into the back country for a few days. He did mostly what you did but he also followed the sand scrubbing with boiling water in the main pots with all of the utensils in the water before hanging them up by the fire to dry. He did the same with any cast iron we used fire dried it and re oiled to prevent rust, never got sick on many trips.
And charcoal from the fire if you can't find any sandy spots near your camp/water source, will get it done. Clay is arguably more common to find on the banks of streams than sand (geographically dependent), and will also act as an abrasive - albeit finer. If nothing else, this shows the value in Stainless Steel cookware - especially cups, plates, bowls _etc._ which it's tempting to swap out for lighter and more packable silicone/plastic stuff.
Each to their own, but proper sterile technique would dictate scrubbing & rinsing first, and boiling/sterilizing afterward. Wouldn't want to leave any live bacteria or protozoa lurking in the pot after rinsing. You could also leave the pot exposed to the sun while drying, for the heat & UV effect. Love your videos, Dave.
Nice video. Where we usually camp on lakes in central Canada most of the time there is no sand just rock. We've been using charcoal ash and moss for cleaning all dishes and then hang cups that might get used for drinking upside down over fire to get dry from the inside. There is plenty of moss here even in winter under snow and fire is always going.
Dave love yer videos, been watching for years. Even my 2yr old watches, but she calls you Day and Roofy (Dave and Rufus) keep up all the wonderful work. Thank from yer friends down here in NM.
Thanks Dave for posting this video and answering my question. This is exactly what I was looking for. And thanks for the continued Bush Pot cooking recipes. They are great!!
Excellent tips Dave. Never considered washing my pots and plates like this. Kicking myself for all the time I wasted using those crappy scrapers and plain water.
I remember reading in an old camping book of my Dad's to just grab a clump of grass from the edge of the stream to scrub pots with. Only had to try it once, worked great. Then you rinse just like you with thesand and rag.
+Wade Clark That works best when the grass isn't winter dead and partially frozen. It tends to just fall apart in the winter. I like using grasses to clean my dishes in the field too, but I'll be honest, in the winter I generally just find an old piece of charred wood that didn't burn all the way down and crush up the blackened part and scrub with that, then rinse and boil. I don't like sticking my hands in the water all that much when it cold. Hell, I got cold just watching Dave at that creek. Semper Fi
I have cleaned up pots and pans out west here in the Rockies in streams this way. It works very well. However our streams and rivers here in the mountains are pretty dang pristine. This washing up with water sand and dirt technique also works great on your hands if they are caked with grease and funk from doing mechanic work. Or from a day of shooting your guns. Keeps lead of the steering wheel and around the cab where grandkids won't get any on them. Never hurts to wash them with soap later. lol
I have found that the wood ash in the fire pit and a little water and a good rinse and a little elbow grease works well. The wood ash and water makes an abrasive and will polish your cookware.
Evergreen boughs work very well too - basically equivalent to a scrub brush, just ball them up and scrub away, then throw them in the fire when you're done.
This is actually super helpful. People be saying to get soap and scub and blah blah blah but what if you don’t got soap? As you said, god made dirt and dirt don’t hurt. Definitely advice I’m bound to remember, thanks.
The one great flaw here is that for many of us who live in the deserts, camping near a water source is usually not an option. While there many many cross overs in the bush craft lessons, the vast majority of YT survival channels are all based on Eastern wood lands with water and wood everywhere. AMB from southern Arizona.
You mentioned it in the video, but I'd heat the utensils and bush pot up if I planned on using it again. Just to kill off anything that might be in the water source. More than likely, the utensils and pot would dry, but if they were used immediately after, there's a small chance that some stuff could survive. Not really knocking your video, but it's something to keep in mind for the less experienced guys out there.
I actually use this method at the beach when I BBQ but then I heat the grill over the coals. But I was always taught to never clean dishes in a water source while camping. At least the pot was already fairly clean when you started Good vid either way.
to "sterilize" my pots and pans, I clean them up good first, then dry-heat them over the fire. I don't do it long enough to discolor the metal, but enough to dry and sanitize. great idea with the sand, thanks dave
I bring a stainless steel pot scrubber but the same principal. I also throw them in the coals for a bit afterward but like you said, not too much of an issue since you'll cook in it again anyways. Great video and method though!
this is favorite series yet. However, I think you missed it on this one Dave. The water should be boiled after you clean everything out in the creek. The pot is fine the way you did it because your moments are correct that you'll cook anything off next time. The spoon, fork, and cup may not have that same sterilization next time. Being dry does not remove all pathogens. I scrub and then boil everything. Only one trip to the creek that way too. Anyways, thanks for cooking videos. I'll be interested in your book. Let us know when it'll be available.
Carbon on the outside of the bushpot would actually reduce the conductivity of the metal. But, it will create more even heat, and I agree it is fine to leave on a cooking device intended for a campfire. We clean off the outside of saute pans in restaurants because gas stoves are easy to control, and they will heat up faster if not carbonized
What do you carry with you when you go out for an extended period of time? Something like a week to a month in the woods. Would you still try to bring prepackaged foodstuffs or something a bit more traditional like flour,baking powders and the like?
I've watched a few of your video's and found them quite interesting. A lot of what you post is stuff, I have already known. What I am more interested in is making a meal with those items you might have at your disposal, as I feel you are a little to reliant on the packaged items. Do you have any plans to expand your repertoire?
great video you and your dog seem pretty healthy so hell seems to be working out pretty good. Great tip with the sand and was amazed how good those hush puppy's came out.
Dave, can I make a request?...how do you, personally, make coffee? I have the pathfinder water bottle and cup set with the stove and I've been trying to figure out how to make a good cup of coffee in the bush...thanks!!!
this is probably been covered but i cant find it you refer to water as being one of the 5 w's I think your list are great and i use them with my troop to help them remember the important rules i cant find this list thought can you help thanks
problem by boilng the pot ect then using nonsteril sand to "clean" your mess kit um would you not want to boil it again to make sure that theres no nasty germs?
+Ken merry If your bothered by germs from outdoors perhaps it is best to stay at home.I can guarantee that most river & creek water is far cleaner then tap water most people are exposed to.Think about it every time you flush your toilet.
boil tap water in the event god forbid wehen and if there is a major event all water should bb boiled for at least 5min using sand ect and river water to "claen" a pot our your camp kikt sure why not but boile the hell out of it afterwards cause ya never know better sfafe then sory
Dave, great video! I'm just curious if you have given the camp vises any more thought? I was thinking about the self tensioning Knots such as the clove hitch. wonder if you could use that configuration tied to a stick or board at either end and simply sliding the knot to take up the slack and then using a wedge. If it would work, you could save lots of time at camp if you are repositioning a work piece very often. Just a thought that's come tell off subject. Thanks again!
For those who are worried about "non sterile sand/water" after boiling...one will be heating/cooking/stirring in and with the utensils, not to mention that most if not all waterborne pathogens don't/won't survive long out of water/moist conditions...this obviously doesn't include chemicals etc...
If on the go, I would boil after the sand scrub as well not because i'm worried about germs but because of utility, it sanitizes the pot and provides drinking water and or cooking water for next time less wood used less water(sweat) lost from multiple fires
You would defiantly want to boil again. It is true that if you cook in it again, you will sanitize it, but if you needed to use it again for something that did not mean cooking, you could get sick. It is just good practice, so you are prepared with your equipment, no mater how you want to use it. If you have a fire and water, better to take the next step.
It may not be as much of a big deal in this creek, but especially and lakes, this would lead to degradation of the water quality due to food breakdown consuming oxygen and contributing nutrients. And lakes nutrient loading leads to eutrophication. If you want to use this method, it would be much better if the water and sand you scrub your pot with his dumped well away from the water source. Not trying to be too negative here, but it is a real issue.
+Colorado Clyde Too much use of sand will also remove the "seasoning" from carbon steel and cast iron cookware, when they are used in the field. One other tip to make clean up easier is to never let food scraps dry on the dish, pan, etc. Wipe it out. Scrap it out. Rinse it out. Boil it out. Often, depending on what was cooked, deglazing the pan works fine. For example, making Red-Eye gravy after frying up some country cured ham is a great way to expedite cleaning up the pan. ;-)
i like to use a steel mesh scrubber, scrub everything down, rinse well, then put scrubber and utensils in pot and put on coals to sterilize and dry. sand makes it nice and shiny tho!!
+Rod Porterfield yep, pot scrubber, i've actually been using a brass one, thought it would melt but it's been working just fine. Thanks, i got the idea for a scrubber from MCQ Bushcraft's channel here on the UA-camz. So i have to give credit where credit is due, he has a great channel as well. Him, Dave and Wranglerstar are my go to guys for bushcrafting and homesteading and the like.
I'm surprised you didn't mention throwing some wood ashes in the pot with the boiling water (although you have mentioned it in earlier videos), or at least in the cup that had the oil in it. I might boil some water after cleanup; that way you have disinfected water, and any pathogens that might be able to survive without water won't be an issue. If you cook ALL your meals it wouldn't be an issue, but if you don't use heat (simply rehydrating fruit for example), there is some tiny chance. It comes down to how paranoid you are. I am not that paranoid, but some people are.
+Rob Slagle Eh, let em thumbs down. It has the exact same positive effect on the video as a thumbs up does. The only "bad" thing you can do is to neither up nor down click. Even then you are still giving a view so that's not a "bad" either. Put it this way, the people that give a thumbs down do more good for the channel than a fan that doesn't click anything at all.
Hello Dave and fellow subscribers! This is gonna be a long comment but I think you gonna like it if you have a little patience to read it to the end.
To the subject at hand. Theres pretty easy way to make natural material scrubber from birch bark. You'll have to cut half inch wide strips from birch bark about 30 or so peaces, longer the better but 6 to 8 inches long would do it, cut those following the long grain of that bark so that you'll have strips bending on both ends. Tie them together to bundles of 5 to 7 strips in the midle with thin bankline or similar thin string so that the bark is bending outwards from that bundle. Then tie these bundles altogether in a form that the bark is bending on all directions outwards.
Then toss this baby in boiling water and watch the magic happens. If everything was according to plan you should have a ball shaped scrubber that will last long and are very useful to clean many things from your cooking ware to your body. This is what were used a long time ago in Finland.
I know my english isn't that good, but if you need pictures to help to get the idea, google up HUOSIAIN. Thats the old word in finnish for sponge or scrubber.
Gonna end this now, kinda hope that theres even couple of guys that read it all the way. And even better if you found it useful, especially you Dave! Keep this cooking series up and going, always eager to learn more about whats your doing.
Greets from Finland!
-Kake
+Keklu Kake I read it all the way! Thanks for the information. Best Regards
I've been cleaning my cook kit like this for over 30 years and never once got sick... if it makes you more comfortable fill the pot , bring it to boil and add the utensils to truly sterilize it all. One thing I've learned along the way is to put a handful of sand or gravel in the dirty pot so the boiling water has a scrubbing action with the abrasive in it. Thanks Dave, good video for newbs to see.
THIS is the kind of good practical information that is missing from UA-cam today on camping site chores. Good stuff.
I've made it my habit to immediately fill a pot or pan up with water as soon as I take my grub out, let that boil up real quick as I set my food to the side and prepare it for eating, then I go back to my cookware and take the minute or two that I need to wipe everything off while it's still very soft.
When it's had to sit for a while because I couldn't get to it right away, I've used sandy soil and leaves with boiling water to scrub them out and for especially tough spots, I've made an improvised scrub brush out of either a branch with split ends or a bunch of twigs.
When I was a kid my dad and I would ride horses into the back country for a few days. He did mostly what you did but he also followed the sand scrubbing with boiling water in the main pots with all of the utensils in the water before hanging them up by the fire to dry. He did the same with any cast iron we used fire dried it and re oiled to prevent rust, never got sick on many trips.
And charcoal from the fire if you can't find any sandy spots near your camp/water source, will get it done.
Clay is arguably more common to find on the banks of streams than sand (geographically dependent), and will also act as an abrasive - albeit finer.
If nothing else, this shows the value in Stainless Steel cookware - especially cups, plates, bowls _etc._ which it's tempting to swap out for lighter and more packable silicone/plastic stuff.
Exactly how I clean my dishes whenever I'm near a sandy shoreline. Nice video
Each to their own, but proper sterile technique would dictate scrubbing & rinsing first, and boiling/sterilizing afterward. Wouldn't want to leave any live bacteria or protozoa lurking in the pot after rinsing. You could also leave the pot exposed to the sun while drying, for the heat & UV effect. Love your videos, Dave.
Thank you for all the great information you hand out.
Nice video. Where we usually camp on lakes in central Canada most of the time there is no sand just rock. We've been using charcoal ash and moss for cleaning all dishes and then hang cups that might get used for drinking upside down over fire to get dry from the inside. There is plenty of moss here even in winter under snow and fire is always going.
Same idea as using coarse salt to clean cast iron.
Love it.
Dave love yer videos, been watching for years. Even my 2yr old watches, but she calls you Day and Roofy (Dave and Rufus) keep up all the wonderful work. Thank from yer friends down here in NM.
Thanks Dave for posting this video and answering my question. This is exactly what I was looking for. And thanks for the continued Bush Pot cooking recipes. They are great!!
Excellent tips Dave. Never considered washing my pots and plates like this. Kicking myself for all the time I wasted using those crappy scrapers and plain water.
I remember reading in an old camping book of my Dad's to just grab a clump of grass from the edge of the stream to scrub pots with. Only had to try it once, worked great. Then you rinse just like you with thesand and rag.
+Wade Clark That works best when the grass isn't winter dead and partially frozen. It tends to just fall apart in the winter. I like using grasses to clean my dishes in the field too, but I'll be honest, in the winter I generally just find an old piece of charred wood that didn't burn all the way down and crush up the blackened part and scrub with that, then rinse and boil. I don't like sticking my hands in the water all that much when it cold. Hell, I got cold just watching Dave at that creek.
Semper Fi
How come I never thought of that? Doing the dishes using sand and a clean stream. -- Simple, but brilliant.
Thanks Dave!
I have cleaned up pots and pans out west here in the Rockies in streams this way. It works very well. However our streams and rivers here in the mountains are pretty dang pristine. This washing up with water sand and dirt technique also works great on your hands if they are caked with grease and funk from doing mechanic work. Or from a day of shooting your guns. Keeps lead of the steering wheel and around the cab where grandkids won't get any on them. Never hurts to wash them with soap later. lol
I have found that the wood ash in the fire pit and a little water and a good rinse and a little elbow grease works well. The wood ash and water makes an abrasive and will polish your cookware.
Evergreen boughs work very well too - basically equivalent to a scrub brush, just ball them up and scrub away, then throw them in the fire when you're done.
Dave, my hands nearly froze just watching you at that creek.
Semper Fi
This is actually super helpful. People be saying to get soap and scub and blah blah blah but what if you don’t got soap? As you said, god made dirt and dirt don’t hurt. Definitely advice I’m bound to remember, thanks.
You have fantastic videos. I truly learn something new all the time watching your programming. Great stuff!
The one great flaw here is that for many of us who live in the deserts, camping near a water source is usually not an option. While there many many cross overs in the bush craft lessons, the vast majority of YT survival channels are all based on Eastern wood lands with water and wood everywhere. AMB from southern Arizona.
You mentioned it in the video, but I'd heat the utensils and bush pot up if I planned on using it again. Just to kill off anything that might be in the water source. More than likely, the utensils and pot would dry, but if they were used immediately after, there's a small chance that some stuff could survive. Not really knocking your video, but it's something to keep in mind for the less experienced guys out there.
I actually use this method at the beach when I BBQ but then I heat the grill over the coals. But I was always taught to never clean dishes in a water source while camping. At least the pot was already fairly clean when you started Good vid either way.
to "sterilize" my pots and pans, I clean them up good first, then dry-heat them over the fire. I don't do it long enough to discolor the metal, but enough to dry and sanitize. great idea with the sand, thanks dave
I bring a stainless steel pot scrubber but the same principal. I also throw them in the coals for a bit afterward but like you said, not too much of an issue since you'll cook in it again anyways. Great video and method though!
this is favorite series yet. However, I think you missed it on this one Dave. The water should be boiled after you clean everything out in the creek. The pot is fine the way you did it because your moments are correct that you'll cook anything off next time. The spoon, fork, and cup may not have that same sterilization next time. Being dry does not remove all pathogens. I scrub and then boil everything. Only one trip to the creek that way too. Anyways, thanks for cooking videos. I'll be interested in your book. Let us know when it'll be available.
Very Helpful.
That fills in a big hole in the equation.
Much Thanks.
The best way to wash those dishes, pots and utensils... --- Clark
Thank you Dave.
Carbon on the outside of the bushpot would actually reduce the conductivity of the metal. But, it will create more even heat, and I agree it is fine to leave on a cooking device intended for a campfire. We clean off the outside of saute pans in restaurants because gas stoves are easy to control, and they will heat up faster if not carbonized
What do you carry with you when you go out for an extended period of time? Something like a week to a month in the woods. Would you still try to bring prepackaged foodstuffs or something a bit more traditional like flour,baking powders and the like?
Crazy we're in T-shirts in January.
I've watched a few of your video's and found them quite interesting. A lot of what you post is stuff, I have already known. What I am more interested in is making a meal with those items you might have at your disposal, as I feel you are a little to reliant on the packaged items. Do you have any plans to expand your repertoire?
great video you and your dog seem pretty healthy so hell seems to be working out pretty good. Great tip with the sand and was amazed how good those hush puppy's came out.
love these videos dave! eager to try all these new techniques I've learned. also big fan of your tv shows!
Hi Dave, Happy New Year! Thanks for the new video info.
Dave, can I make a request?...how do you, personally, make coffee? I have the pathfinder water bottle and cup set with the stove and I've been trying to figure out how to make a good cup of coffee in the bush...thanks!!!
this is probably been covered but i cant find it you refer to water as being one of the 5 w's I think your list are great and i use them with my troop to help them remember the important rules i cant find this list thought can you help thanks
problem by boilng the pot ect then using nonsteril sand to "clean" your mess kit um would you not want to boil it again to make sure that theres no nasty germs?
+Ken merry Read my comment above
Bc he's boiling again
+Ken merry If your bothered by germs from outdoors perhaps it is best to stay at home.I can guarantee that most river & creek water is far cleaner then tap water most people are exposed to.Think about it every time you flush your toilet.
boil tap water in the event god forbid wehen and if there is a major event all water should bb boiled for at least 5min using sand ect and river water to "claen" a pot our your camp kikt sure why not but boile the hell out of it afterwards cause ya never know better sfafe then sory
pebbles and a rolling boil work great also
Dave, great video! I'm just curious if you have given the camp vises any more thought? I was thinking about the self tensioning Knots such as the clove hitch. wonder if you could use that configuration tied to a stick or board at either end and simply sliding the knot to take up the slack and then using a wedge. If it would work, you could save lots of time at camp if you are repositioning a work piece very often. Just a thought that's come tell off subject. Thanks again!
For those who are worried about "non sterile sand/water" after boiling...one will be heating/cooking/stirring in and with the utensils, not to mention that most if not all waterborne pathogens don't/won't survive long out of water/moist conditions...this obviously doesn't include chemicals etc...
I need to clarify, it is the root ball full of grit on the grasa that was used to clean the pot. Same idea as hand fulls of sand.
If on the go, I would boil after the sand scrub as well not because i'm worried about germs but because of utility, it sanitizes the pot and provides drinking water and or cooking water for next time less wood used less water(sweat) lost from multiple fires
Thats some great dish washing Dave. You are welcome to come over and do mine
Hey, Dave, any chance of a "Day in the Life of..." type of video? Love the content, keep up the great work. I learn so much. Thank you.
If you cook anything fatty, a little wood ash and water, (lye) added to the fat will make soap, easy peasy, enjoying the vids thanks
as always great points here. thanks much!!
You would defiantly want to boil again. It is true that if you cook in it again, you will sanitize it, but if you needed to use it again for something that did not mean cooking, you could get sick. It is just good practice, so you are prepared with your equipment, no mater how you want to use it. If you have a fire and water, better to take the next step.
Another good one. Thanks :)
- Marttin
You could use ashes to make lie solution for cleaning the pot ;)
excellent!! thanks
I promise I won't let Iris know you know how to do dishes.. :)
It may not be as much of a big deal in this creek, but especially and lakes, this would lead to degradation of the water quality due to food breakdown consuming oxygen and contributing nutrients. And lakes nutrient loading leads to eutrophication. If you want to use this method, it would be much better if the water and sand you scrub your pot with his dumped well away from the water source. Not trying to be too negative here, but it is a real issue.
Thank you :)
That's so much better than shugemery's pot cleaning method.
+Colorado Clyde Too much use of sand will also remove the "seasoning" from carbon steel and cast iron cookware, when they are used in the field. One other tip to make clean up easier is to never let food scraps dry on the dish, pan, etc. Wipe it out. Scrap it out. Rinse it out. Boil it out. Often, depending on what was cooked, deglazing the pan works fine. For example, making Red-Eye gravy after frying up some country cured ham is a great way to expedite cleaning up the pan. ;-)
i like to use a steel mesh scrubber, scrub everything down, rinse well, then put scrubber and utensils in pot and put on coals to sterilize and dry. sand makes it nice and shiny tho!!
Pot scrubber...the stainless steel kind, right? Great idea!!!
+Rod Porterfield yep, pot scrubber, i've actually been using a brass one, thought it would melt but it's been working just fine. Thanks, i got the idea for a scrubber from MCQ Bushcraft's channel here on the UA-camz. So i have to give credit where credit is due, he has a great channel as well. Him, Dave and Wranglerstar are my go to guys for bushcrafting and homesteading and the like.
Can stainless steel or titanium be seasoned?
love the tip thanks
Don't you have some steelwool in your fire kit? :-)
If ur worried about the water jus make sure you go somewhere on the Flint River
I'm surprised you didn't mention throwing some wood ashes in the pot with the boiling water (although you have mentioned it in earlier videos), or at least in the cup that had the oil in it. I might boil some water after cleanup; that way you have disinfected water, and any pathogens that might be able to survive without water won't be an issue. If you cook ALL your meals it wouldn't be an issue, but if you don't use heat (simply rehydrating fruit for example), there is some tiny chance.
It comes down to how paranoid you are. I am not that paranoid, but some people are.
been doing this for years.on ohio river.do it n reverse though.worry bout water?read all thats in dish soap.
lol, that sounds sorta dirty.
6k views of Dave doing dishes. SMH.
this is like the 4 th video where I see the 4 thumbs down. if you're hitting the thumbs down on every video please unsubscribe and quit being a hater
+Rob Slagle Eh, let em thumbs down. It has the exact same positive effect on the video as a thumbs up does. The only "bad" thing you can do is to neither up nor down click. Even then you are still giving a view so that's not a "bad" either. Put it this way, the people that give a thumbs down do more good for the channel than a fan that doesn't click anything at all.