There aren’t many options for cooking when you’re lost in the wild with nothing… 

But one way you can do it is with rocks.

Before we get into that, there is an important safety issue. Some rocks will explode if you heat them up too much. 

In a nutshell, anything wet or shiny is no good. If you are unsure, you can throw a small version of the type of rock you intend to use in the fire while you go somewhere safe for a while (exactly how long depends on the type and size of the rock.

I usually wait about 10 minutes). If it doesn’t explode by then, you can use the big version of it (unless it is wet).

Here’s a good resource for specific rocks you can and can’t use in a fire.

Insects are high in protein, making them a great survival food if you are lost in the woods. 

They're also easy to come by, but you can't skew them. So, what's the best way to prepare them? 

This is where the rock fry comes in handy.

To start, find a flat or concave stone that is about one inch thick. One inch thick is ideal. If the rock is too thick then heat may not get through. And those that are too thin will break. 

Also, the smoother the better for distribution of heat.

Making an earth oven is another option for using rocks to cook in a wilderness survival setting. 

Gather a pile of rocks in the shape of an oven. Three sides, a roof, and a space at the front.

Create a fire around this oven and put your food inside.  

It will even continue to cook once the fire is out since the rocks retain the heat. 

To keep the heat in longer (or to make it hotter), put something in the front as the ‘oven door’.

A hangi is a traditional New Zealand cooking method. 

It is a slow cooker so you can use the morning fire and just leave it to cook all day while you do other things.

You won’t have to worry about the fire spreading because it is underground!

Dig a hole and lay some moist foliage on the bottom, then lay down some rocks, then place your food and cover it with more foliage. 

Start your fire on top and the food will cook even after the fire is out.

Using moist foliage keeps it from catching fire and allows it to cook slowly, which is more flavorful but takes longer. 

So there are three methods for cooking with rocks.

Here’s a bonus one - the rock boil!

For this, you need a container to cook in. Or if you don't have one, make one out of bamboo or hollow out some other type of wood. 

Fill your container with water and then place your fire hot rocks in the water. The rocks will heat the water to boiling point which you can cook in. 

If you want to learn more about wilderness survival, check out:  https://www.survivalfitnessplan.com/evasive-wilderness-survival-techniques 

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