Dutch oven lid lifter for campfire cooking

A lid lifter for lifting the lid off a dutch oven is a great accessory to your campfire cooking gear. Especially if you like to bake in a dutch oven.

My name is John Switzer, thank you for watching. Black Bear Forge is a small one person shop located in the Southern Colorado Mountains

Below you will find useful links that will help you in your journey as a blacksmith.

My blacksmiths apron

Links for some of my video and lighting equipment.

Canon EOS M50 Mirrorless Camera

Sony FDR-X3000 4K Action Camera

Insta360 One X 360 camera

RodeLink Filmmaker Wireless Microphone Kit

Dracast S-Series Plus Daylight LED500 Panel

To take a more active role in the production of these videos. You may provide financial support through one of the two links below.
Or you may set up a monthly contribution through Patreon

To request a custom order from Black Bear Forge. Please sign up on the wait list at

If you are curious about some of my other interests, you may like my second channel
Off Topic with John Switzer

I have set up a Facebook group just for you, the viewers of this YouTube channel.
If you would like to share your work that was inspired by my videos
This is the place to do that

Find my shop on line at:

For custom order requests. Please sign up on the wait list at

Mailing address:
Black Bear Forge
P.O. Box 4
Beulah, CO 81023

To find more information in blacksmithing in the US or to search for your local ABANA affiliate group visit.

Blacksmithing tools and supplies

Blacksmithing and related activities can be hazardous. These videos are not a substitute for competent professional instruction. Your safety is your sole responsibility. Always use appropriate safety equipment including eye and ear protection when working in the shop. Follow manufactures safety guidelines for the use of all equipment. In the event something shown in one of these videos seems unsafe, it is up to you to make the appropriate changes to protect yourself.

[kyle]

Of course this dude plays the banjo. Can I adopt him as like an uncle or something?? He is truly a national treasure.

[steveleff]

Nice job on the lifter, the biscuits and the banjo. Ol Joe Clark would be proud.

[mikechapple]

John, I cant tell you how much some biscuits and banjo would do me well just now. I retired from reenacting a few years back....I miss it.

[Hoaxer]

A must have for campfire dutch oven cooking, also a nice touch at the end with the banjo music. You should do more with the banjo, I like watching you play!

[TomokosEnterprize]

Thanks bud. I need to make a short version to use in my kitchen. Too many toasty fingers eh. I STILL LOVE KEEPING COMPANY WITH YOU JOHN.

[kellywizbang]

Love the banjo music at the end, . Great vid as I am a cast iron freak, it's my weakness, lol.

[nicolaasporter]

Bringing the banjo back in to the vids. Well done Sir.

[danielcrawford]

Very nice "Hook of the Day" lol. Seems to work much steadier than the fireplace poker I'd seen Mom used last century. Really interesting concept. Puts ones mind to work thinking of options and ornimentation
Thanks for having us out to the forge sirSir.
🙏 blessings to ya nos
Crawford out 🧙‍♂️

[jeffgrier]

I really like your lid lifter design, and that was some darn good banjo pickin'!

[sosteve]

Great work sir, I used a claw hammer at the beginning till I got a hook from a subscriber

[billwoehl]

Had to use my flat bar tool for my kid when i made my apple cobbler in my Dutch oven the other day, need a good lifter, and this weekend supposed to be nice out.

[braunwm]

Love everything about this video! Cast iron cooking, blacksmithing, a little banjo picking at the end, & biscuits! I really like this design you have presented here. I have been thinking about making one of these for a long time, and was going to do something much more simple, but your design has really inspired me to make it more special.

[thomasarussellsr]

Yeah! A hook, and it's not even Sunday. Thanks John. Cool "bit of kit" as our friends "across the pond" would say.

[suprspi]

I'm getting super inspired by all the campfire cookware this summer season on your channel. Lots of it is stuff I never had considered forging, but my to-do list keeps getting longer! Thanks so much for all the awesome connect you put out to teach all of us!

[Ivan_Glamdryng]

For a master banjo picker, you are a pretty good blacksmith too. Thank you for this series.

[msfowle]

Another great project. Absolutely love the banjo outro!!

[patrickwoolery]

Great project. I love cooking with a black pot, too. And I'm also a frailer, so what a treat to hear Old Joe Clark as you bake the biscuits. One of my favorite banjo tunes.

[cypherian]

Very nice and easy construction was pretty straight forward. Pictured you upsetting the end then splitting it into three sections working it from there.

[bobcaulkins]

Awesome work! The banjo picking was a great touch to finish by the fire.

[douglasfathers]

WELL that's better then a nail in a lump of wood thank;s JOHN loved the banjo as well so in joy your lunch cheers