Whenever we go up to the cabin for more than a few hours, Gordon comes up with a project. I think it’s because if he sits still for too long without making something he gets antsy. This past weekend, the project was a DIY blacksmith forge and a couple simple projects. Continue reading
Coal-Roasted Steak
We had heard rumors for awhile that you can cook steak directly on top of the coals in your campfire and the juices would keep the steak from getting ashy. So naturally, we had to give it a shot. We figured best case scenario, it would make even more utensils unnecessary on camping trips. Worst case scenario, you scrape off the ashes and the steak is probably still edible. Continue reading
How to Cook Over a Campfire Without Tinfoil
Tinfoil has been a campfire staple almost since its invention in 1910 (one of its first uses was to wrap Swiss chocolate bars, which makes its
importance in history undeniable). You can find recipes all over the internet of different hobo dinners, tinfoil barbecues, and tinfoil-wrapped campfire desserts.
But what if you get to your campsite, pull out all the food, and realize you forgot the tinfoil?
Fire-Grilled Tri-Tip Roast
The first time we tried to cook a tri-tip roast on our barbecue, it started on fire and burned for several minutes before either of us noticed. The fact that it was still juicy and delicious after that kind of treatment made us decide tri-tip is a foolproof way to make a grilled roast that your guest are bound to rave about. Continue reading
Make a Smoker from a 55 Gallon Drum
We had been wanting a smoker for awhile, but were not willing to spend the equivalent of two months rent on a Traeger. Fortunately for us, Popular Mechanics came out with plans to build your own for between $50-$100 dollars. Much better!
The plans are straightforward and funny, which makes the process more fun. We highly recommend this smoker, as it has led to countless delicious hunks of smoked meat. Continue reading
Pizza Dough Press
We bought an outdoor pizza oven for the back deck this summer in celebration of actually having a deck. After lots of pizza parties we realized the most time-consuming part of the whole process was rolling out the dough, since the pizzas themselves only take 2 minutes to cook. So we made a pizza dough press to do the dough shaping for us.
It’s basically an oversize tortilla press with some modifications.
Handmade Mountain Dulcimer
Sometimes the power goes out and you can’t actually use any of your power tools. Sometimes you want to form an impromptu bluegrass band an
d don’t have an instrument handy. Just in case both of those things happen at the same time, we made a dulcimer using only non-power tools and typed out all the directions.
If you’ve ever wanted to try making a stringed instrument, the dulcimer is really the place to start. It’s relatively easy to make and easy to play, and will make your Appalachian ancestors proud.
Becoming Beekeepers
If the sword-wielding, man-killing, queen-following Amazons of Greek mythology ever existed, they taught bees everything they know. Bees live in an extremist matriarchal society. Female worker bees under the guidance of the queen gather pollen, pull out comb, make honey, and fight to the death to defend their home while male drones stay home, take care of the babies, and when necessary, follow the queen several miles into the air only to mate with her and die. As far as bees are concerned, being female is the greatest thing that could ever happen.
Mountain Man Living 