A jungle kitchen/ fire place set-up by the Orang Asals of Sarawak

The guides enjoying warm drinks around the jungle kitchen

The Orang Asals of Sarawak taught me a new jungle kitchen/ fire place set-up. I first saw this kitchen ‘design’ in one of the local houses but never thought that it can be duplicated in the jungle. It think it is brilliant!

While it probably is more suitable for larger groups, this kitchen cooking set-up allows continues use and it maximizes the use of the fire. With this type of set-up, the group has fire as well as the fuel to keep the fire going.

The design is straight forward really. A ‘rack’ is made above the fire to allow fire wood to be stacked on. A removable pot hanger is also built in to make it easy to hang pots. The heat generated by the fire while cooking food keeps the firewood above dry, ready for use.

Lai Eng piling fire wood on the rack

The fire below helps to dry (and keep dry) the fire wood above

I think this is a brilliant system. During light rain, the stack of wood keeps the fire from extinguishing. And the heat from the fire helps to dry the pieces of wood closest to it. It’s like a fully automated system.

What a brilliant jungle fire set-up this is!

I manage to record some videos of this jungle fire place. Will compile and upload it soon. Stay tuned!


Continue reading other parts of this adventure below:

• First time in Miri Town, Sarawak
• Wild durian & Kolok mee at Miri.
• 5 hours on a 4WD into interior off Miri.
• Unique local houses in Sarawak interior.
• Smoked wild boar…nice!
• Loooong hike to look for an elusive waterfall.
• Sarawak river boats and a raging river.
• Jungle vines and rattan used in the jungles of Sarawak.
• Umbut or heart of palm tasting, first experience.
• Harvesting of the umbut by the Penan.
• Malat & Penat; the Penan’s blades.
• Kitchen in a traditional house.
• Video on jungle kitchen & feather stick making.

Click here to read about another rainforest adventure in Semban, Sarawak.