Tools & Cordage
Carve a bushcraft pot hook
A notched pot hook lets you hang a kettle over a fire and adjust the heat by moving the hook up or down.
Woods and Rocks — Build a Pothanger with your Knife
Step-by-step
Cut a green, wrist-thick vertical stake and drive it firmly into the ground beside the fire.
Carve a horizontal arm from a straight branch with a hooked notch at the outboard end.
Cut a series of notches down the upright stake at different heights.
Hang the arm on the upright so the hook points toward the fire; the arm's weight locks it in place.
Hang your pot from the hook and move the arm to a higher or lower notch to boil or simmer.
Tip: Use green wood for the upright — dry wood can char and weaken over a long fire.
Related outdoor skills
Educational reference only. Wilderness conditions change fast — practice in low-stakes settings, take a certified wilderness first-aid course, and confirm regional regulations before you rely on any of these skills in the field.