Uploaded June 2019 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Oak Bark is an amazing unique fuel, providing long lasting, extra hot coals that hold together well and give even heat. It is also an excellent smoking material for smoking meats like bacon.
Support on patreon.com/skillcult has been critical in keeping me experimenting and making content. If you want to help me help others, this is probably the best way to do it. Thank you Patrons for supporting the mission!
Buy less, but buy it through my links! Shopping through my affiliate links generates revenue for me, at no extra cost to you, click links here, or go to my Amazon Store page: skillcult.com/amazon-store But seriously, buy less, do more.
Standard gear I recommend. I either use or have used all of it.
Council Tool Boys Axe: amzn.to/3z0muqI
Bahco Farmer's File: amzn.to/3Hbdhij
King two sided sharpening stone: amzn.to/32EX1XC
Silky f180 saw: amzn.to/3yZzM71
ARS 10 foot long reach pruner: amzn.to/3esETmM
Victorinox grafting/floral knife: amzn.to/3Jki1E9
Wiebe 12” fleshing tool: amzn.to/3sB0qSl
Atlas Elbow Gloves: amzn.to/3FwB5g6
BOOKS:
The Axe Book, by Dudley Cook: amzn.to/32kx7sN
Bushcraft, by Mors Kochanski: amzn.to/32q2rpT
Subscribe to my channel for more insightful Self Reliance related content: youtube.com/skillcult/subscribe Click the bell icon to be notified of new content. Subscribing doesn’t mean that much on it’s own.
Blog and website: skillcult.com/blog
Instagram and Facebook @SkillCult
There are a lot of hardwoods that produce good long lasting coals. But I've found that none are as long lasting and useful as some of our native Oak Barks. They burn for a long time, make coals that hold together well, they are extremely hot and make an even heat. The bark as it burns, leaves a heavy cast of ash that spreads heat evenly and slows down burning. As a campfire fuel, it can help hold fire for a long time or overnight if banked with dirt or ash.
it was used by Native Californians to toast seeds in open baskets and for staying warm at night. The properties are pretty unique and it is like natures charcoal briquette.
I use it also for smoking buckskin after braintanning. It is a good coal base to start with before adding punky wood or other smoking materials
For smoking meat, it has an excellent flavor that doesn't require time to mellow after smoking, but tastes smooth and amazing right away. For barbecue it lends an excellent flavor and makes outstanding long lasting coals.
My favorite species is Coastal Live Oak- Quercus Agrifolia, Second is Black Oak bark- Quercus Kellogii Tan Oak- NoLithocarpus Densiflora does not work that well.
It makes good fuel for blacksmithing and a good "cap" to set over charcoal to retain heat small ground forges. It is also good fuel for burning lime or other similar processes because the fuel value is very high. Of course it can be made into charcoal as well.
Oak Bark is an amazing unique fuel, providing long lasting, extra hot coals that hold together well and give even heat. It is also an excellent smoking material for smoking meats like bacon.
Support on patreon.com/skillcult has been critical in keeping me experimenting and making content. If you want to help me help others, this is probably the best way to do it. Thank you Patrons for supporting the mission!
Buy less, but buy it through my links! Shopping through my affiliate links generates revenue for me, at no extra cost to you, click links here, or go to my Amazon Store page: skillcult.com/amazon-store But seriously, buy less, do more.
Standard gear I recommend. I either use or have used all of it.
Council Tool Boys Axe: amzn.to/3z0muqI
Bahco Farmer's File: amzn.to/3Hbdhij
King two sided sharpening stone: amzn.to/32EX1XC
Silky f180 saw: amzn.to/3yZzM71
ARS 10 foot long reach pruner: amzn.to/3esETmM
Victorinox grafting/floral knife: amzn.to/3Jki1E9
Wiebe 12” fleshing tool: amzn.to/3sB0qSl
Atlas Elbow Gloves: amzn.to/3FwB5g6
BOOKS:
The Axe Book, by Dudley Cook: amzn.to/32kx7sN
Bushcraft, by Mors Kochanski: amzn.to/32q2rpT
Subscribe to my channel for more insightful Self Reliance related content: youtube.com/skillcult/subscribe Click the bell icon to be notified of new content. Subscribing doesn’t mean that much on it’s own.
Blog and website: skillcult.com/blog
Instagram and Facebook @SkillCult
There are a lot of hardwoods that produce good long lasting coals. But I've found that none are as long lasting and useful as some of our native Oak Barks. They burn for a long time, make coals that hold together well, they are extremely hot and make an even heat. The bark as it burns, leaves a heavy cast of ash that spreads heat evenly and slows down burning. As a campfire fuel, it can help hold fire for a long time or overnight if banked with dirt or ash.
it was used by Native Californians to toast seeds in open baskets and for staying warm at night. The properties are pretty unique and it is like natures charcoal briquette.
I use it also for smoking buckskin after braintanning. It is a good coal base to start with before adding punky wood or other smoking materials
For smoking meat, it has an excellent flavor that doesn't require time to mellow after smoking, but tastes smooth and amazing right away. For barbecue it lends an excellent flavor and makes outstanding long lasting coals.
My favorite species is Coastal Live Oak- Quercus Agrifolia, Second is Black Oak bark- Quercus Kellogii Tan Oak- NoLithocarpus Densiflora does not work that well.
It makes good fuel for blacksmithing and a good "cap" to set over charcoal to retain heat small ground forges. It is also good fuel for burning lime or other similar processes because the fuel value is very high. Of course it can be made into charcoal as well.
