What is your favorite camp fire pit?

[lrrowe]

In another thread I was asking about what do our members do for fire wood when they get to their campsite and there is some restriction against burning wood, either at all or unless it is local and certified (against insects).

In this other thread, I have received some ideas on using propane style fire pits similar to the Camco Big or Little Red and the Campfire-in-a-can brand. I have been searching the web for different ones and seem to come back the Camco Big Red. The Campfire-In-a-Can company is being reorganized and there has no more product available at this time.

My question is thus: If you use a portable propane Campfire, do you like it?

[kayakdlk]

I have a campfire in a can. I mainly use it in my back yard fire pit I built. I like it, it puts out heat if you sit close, looks real at night and packs up for portable use if desired while camping. We even used it to roast marshmallows and hot dogs in the back yard. The convenience of turning it on using it and then turning it off without having to wait for the fire to go out or putting it out seems to work well with the kids.

I have seen several in the past years at campgrounds when Colorado Mountains are to dry for a wood fire. Mine sits outside all year long under the can lid. After a couple years it wouldn't produce much of a flame so I had to take the grate off and wire brush the rust to clean out the holes and blow them out. Worked fine after that.

Dan

[lrrowe]

Thanks kayakdlk,
The Campfire in a Can was one on the top of my list to search out. It had the highest BTU output of any of the others I found, but it is not available at this time because of company reorganization problems which to me means financial issues. I quickly checked eBay for used ones to no avail.
The next best BTU rating was for ones like the Camco Red's at 58K BTU's. Having high outputs is a double edged sword as it can mean faster propane consumption.

[GuitarPhotog]

I have the inexpensive Camp Chef portable. It comes with a carrying bag, the legs fold up, and it's ready to go.

I used it on my tour of the great northwet in 2013 and was very happy with the amount of heat vs. the propane consumption. It got used a lot on that trip, it rained 8 days out of the 21 day trip.

<Chas>

[lrrowe]

I have the inexpensive Camp Chef portable. It comes with a carrying bag, the legs fold up, and it's ready to go.

I used it on my tour of the great northwet in 2013 and was very happy with the amount of heat vs. the propane consumption. It got used a lot on that trip, it rained 8 days out of the 21 day trip.

<Chas>

Is this the portable model? They have several models and this is the lowest in price.

[GuitarPhotog]

I have the inexpensive Camp Chef portable. It comes with a carrying bag, the legs fold up, and it's ready to go.

I used it on my tour of the great northwet in 2013 and was very happy with the amount of heat vs. the propane consumption. It got used a lot on that trip, it rained 8 days out of the 21 day trip.

<Chas>

Is this the portable model? They have several models and this is the lowest in price.

Yes, this one
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000L4HSH8?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

<Chas>

[lrrowe]

I have the inexpensive Camp Chef portable. It comes with a carrying bag, the legs fold up, and it's ready to go.

I used it on my tour of the great northwet in 2013 and was very happy with the amount of heat vs. the propane consumption. It got used a lot on that trip, it rained 8 days out of the 21 day trip.

<Chas>

Is this the portable model? They have several models and this is the lowest in price.

Yes, this one
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000L4HSH8?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

<Chas>

I like it and the price is the lowest as I have seen for others. And I just found this one for just $23 more at $99 total.
http://www.outdoorcooking.com/camp-chef ... oCNqvw_wcB

Right now I will give them serious consideration. I have a little time yet to get one.

Thanks for the input.

[halfdome, Danny]

We've been using this Camp Chef model for several years now and we are delighted with it.
About $100 and we even use it on top of our plastic RV mat without any burning or melting of the mat.
Stores nicely in the provided zippered bag.
Danny

[Toytaco2]

I received this one from Lowe's as a Christmas gift. http://www.lowes.com/pd_466652-53470-67380-D___?productId=50037272&pl=1&Ntt=grarden+treasures+fire+pit#img I haven't had it out on a camping trip yet, but have hooked it up and tried it out in the backyard. Good heat and a nice flame. I think I'm going to like it a lot. The lid doesn't really "lock/snap on, but it is strong and the handle can be used to carry the unit. I'll probably come up with some kind of lightweight container to actually transport it in since lava rock always finds a way to leave gritty dust all over the place. The $99 price is pretty good too for the quality. Push button starting, no matches or lighter required for lighting.

[Socal Tom]

This is what I have
http://www.amazon.com/Camco-58031-Campf ... op?ie=UTF8
it was a hand me down from my Dad. It works well, we haven't needed to turn it up on high ( didn't get any cold weather camping in with it yet). I like the nice metal can it comes in, and the flame gets plenty big enough. Mine has fake "logs" on top, but they aren't real convincing. One important thing with this one ( and I assume the others as well). Make sure the gas valve is low or off before you open the valve on the tank. I've noticed with this, and my gas grill at home, if the valve is open, the pressure regulator doesn't work right and I get a very small flame that I can't really turn up. To fix it, you have to turn off the tank, close the valve, then reopen the tank.
Tom

campfire1.jpg (109.19 KiB) Viewed 10767 times

[capnTelescope]

I have the Little Red. I've used it a few times and I haven't decided yet whether I'm happy with it or not. My complaint is that the gas ring doesn't do that good a job of heating the ceramic "logs", so the radiated heat leaves something to be desired on a cold night.

It's cute and convenient, easy to set up, and doesn't use a huge amount of propane. As with any gas log fire, you get the same fire every time, and no snap/crackle/pop. Best of all, you don't have to pee on the fire before you leave.

This thread got me thinking about the problem, and I think replacing the logs with perforated stainless like a gas patio heater would be warmer, but not as cute.

It's a good concept, but it ain't the real thing.

[drjenk]

I have the inexpensive Camp Chef portable. It comes with a carrying bag, the legs fold up, and it's ready to go.

I used it on my tour of the great northwet in 2013 and was very happy with the amount of heat vs. the propane consumption. It got used a lot on that trip, it rained 8 days out of the 21 day trip.

<Chas>

I second the camp chef. We have the one called "redwood portable" and it really kick out the heat on low once it warms up. There might be a picture of it on teardrop12.blogspot.com

[gudmund]

for it's small size along with it's self-contained enclosure (when closed, it's all inside it's own clam-shell enclosure) along with it low usage of gas - I love my "Fire Dancer" firepit. When stored, it also fits perfectly inside a 14 inch Camp Chef Dutch Oven storage carry bag.

[halfdome, Danny]

We've been using this Camp Chef model for several years now and we are delighted with it.
About $100 and we even use it on top of our plastic RV mat without any burning or melting of the mat.
Stores nicely in the provided zippered bag.
Danny

Mine started to only burn at half the volume of fire as when it was new.
I took it apart and found a tiny piece of lava rock blocking the brass fitting, it now burns like new.
I also took a twist drill bit of the correct size and cleaned the build up around the holes where the gas feeds the fire.
Then I gave the fire ring area a new coat of high temperature black barbecue paint.
I'll be turning off the valve and covering the end before putting it in the bag to prevent lava rock from blocking it again.
Danny

[cigarsnjeeps]

I received this one from Lowe's as a Christmas gift. http://www.lowes.com/pd_466652-53470-67380-D___?productId=50037272&pl=1&Ntt=grarden+treasures+fire+pit#img I haven't had it out on a camping trip yet, but have hooked it up and tried it out in the backyard. Good heat and a nice flame. I think I'm going to like it a lot. The lid doesn't really "lock/snap on, but it is strong and the handle can be used to carry the unit. I'll probably come up with some kind of lightweight container to actually transport it in since lava rock always finds a way to leave gritty dust all over the place. The $99 price is pretty good too for the quality. Push button starting, no matches or lighter required for lighting.

I like that one. The shape of the top looks like it would work well with my big tractor disc wok for cooking.

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