How To: Make a coal burned container

John Campbell shows you how to make an all natural bowl with spout using hot coals to burn the desired shape into a block of wood. First you'll need to make a straw from a cattail stock by burning through the center with a hot coat hanger. John next demonstrates how to use this straw and some hot coals placed on the wood to burn the shape of a bowl and spout into the block. Finally, John uses a stone to sand the bowl down and remove the charcoal leaving a clean wooden container. The final result is a simple bowl that can be used to crush berries or boil water. Using the same techniques all sorts of complex designs you can imagine are possible. Finally, John responds to criticism from viewers who think he shouldn't put drink mix in a canteen because of the possibility of bacterial growth. John explains that it's important to take proper care of your equipment and that he sterilizes his canteen with bleach twice a week. However, if he's going to be in the bush for two weeks or more he adds a few drops of iodine to his water to keep bacteria from getting out of hand.