How to Make a Camp Tripod

One of the joys of camping is cooking over an open fire, but using a pot to make beans, chili and other classic camp recipes means suspending the pot over that open fire. The best way to achieve this is with a tripod. One method is to lash a set of green tree branches together, but the problem with this kind of improvised tripod is that it you must discard and refashion it daily, as the cooking fire dries out the wood and makes it flammable. A homemade metal tripod is a more permanent solution for cooking over an open fire.

Things You'll Need

  • Three lengths of 1/2-inch electrical conduit
  • Hacksaw with metal-cutting blade
  • Three eye bolts
  • Pliers
  • Table vise (optional)
  • Four feet of wire-link chain
  • Hammer
  • Two s-hooks
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Cut the electrical conduit tubing to the desired length with a hacksaw. Four feet is the normal pole length for a cooking tripod, but if you cook with smaller fires or a lightweight camping stove you might need something smaller.

    • 2

      Pry open an eyebolt with a pair of pliers. This step will require considerable muscle, and you may need a table vise to hold down the eyebolt while you pull it open with both hands. Open an end-link in your chain as well.

    • 3

      Hang the two remaining eyebolts and the chain onto the eyebolt you opened. Close that eyebolt by squeezing it with pliers and/or striking it with a hammer, thereby securing all the parts together. Close the chain end-link with pliers.

    • 4

      Stand the conduit poles up and insert the eyebolts into the tops, arranging the legs so they are roughly equidistant. Once in place, the eyebolts work as a metal substitute for lashings, and the tripod will support weight.

    • 5

      Place an S-hook on the chain about six links down from the top. Close the top of the S-hook with pliers and a hammer (if necessary) to secure it to the chain. Fasten a second S-hook to the bottom o the chain the same way.

    • 6

      Hang the cook-pot from the bottom S-hook, and use the top S-hook as a hanger to adjust the height of the pot.