Thawing Frozen Ground

[Bobby Bass]

OK this may be a different kind of question looking for an answer. Unfortunately I need in about a week to bury a family pet that is going to be laid to rest. My problem is my ground is still frozen. Has anyone found a way of thawing out the ground so a grave can be dug? I have had a couple of thoughts offered so far from using a torpedo heater to thaw out the ground. Burning charcoal over the digging area to just renting a air hammer and digging it out. Looking for any and all ideas, thanks

[mwal]

When we needed to dig up a septic tank access they had us burn charcoal over the area in a steel drum with bottom cut out and a lid to keep heat in that area. It took about 3 days but it was well below zero

Mwal

[amateurfishing]

whatever you end up doing, condolences in advance....

[JohnMickish]

Rent a ground thawing machine? We use them when we have to open up the ground in the winter time. Probably to spendy for this application tho.

[King Canada]

We did it in January with our Golden. Took 30 hours of tending a wood fire to get through 2 feet of frost. How far north are you

? If you have a water supply hook up a root waterer to a hose and chase the frost out with that.

[Pinusbanksiana]

Cremation. It is not that expensive.

[Smoker]

Sorry for your lose. Just went through the same with my lose of my lab.I used charcoal with a flat sheet of metal over it. Started it about 6 at night and it was thawed in the morning. One bag when I started and added one at about 10 before bed. That was the end of February.

[K_Josh87]

the charcoal with tin over top works very well... you want to let a bit of air in, but not to much... idea is to keep it warm for a long period... not extremely hot for a short time... I did this in febuary to burn through frost for post holes on a pole shed... we ahd 56" of frost at the time, I dig 6" with the auger... did a 24 hour burn, and it burnt through 24" + of the frost, and weakened the frost below... worked well...

Best of luck and my condolences...

[Bobby Bass]

Thanks for the ideas, There might be some confusion here as in the time line. The dog has not yet passed but the daughter will be putting him down in the very near future. Ground is still frozen here but it is raining and looks to be for the next few days. When it stops I will try the charcoal and metal cover to get us deep enough. Cremation is not an option, price is not a consideration, When a dog gives you eleven years of its life the least you can do is give him a place to rest. At least that is how we feel here about our pets. Thank you all for your ideas, Bobby

[delcecchi]

I suppose putting the dog in the freezer would be too morbid? It will only be a short time until the frost is out naturally.

And what do you have against cremation? I was thinking about that for me. Drop my ashes on my favorite fishing locations, and I'll be ok, not that what gets cremated is me anymore.

[Bobby Bass]

I suppose putting the dog in the freezer would be too morbid? It will only be a short time until the frost is out naturally.

And what do you have against cremation? I was thinking about that for me. Drop my ashes on my favorite fishing locations, and I'll be ok, not that what gets cremated is me anymore.

Actually I have used the freezer before for a pet. I have nothing against cremation. I do have room for burying pets on my property and I prefer to put my pets to rest that way. Not going to start a thread about the pros and cons about cremation. Was a simply question about thawing ground. Around here the thread will get hijacked into a long winded pro and con. Besides this is about laying a pet to rest not what you want to do with your ashes, your as* your choice :-)

[delcecchi]

Fair enough. If it doesn't bother you, freezer and wait for spring would work and be easiest. Sorry for the cremation plug.