Fire Season Considerations

[Getaklu]

Just an FYI with camping season here:

[Jim]

Thx.

Again - reading the regs posted at time of visiting a forest is key - it seems for those camping and wanting fire in the evening - natural (wood, charcoal) fires are often forbidden with the possibility that propane fueled fire rings / fire pits being allowed. Again, regs permitting. When things start to clamp down - propane fueled fire pits are often available / one of the last to be forbidden.

I'm guessing this is going to be a DRY summer! Hopefully we won't have high winds or any crazy fires (forest or municipal).

[RockyMtRebel]

I noticed that Larimer county has fire ban in place already, which is interesting because they are usually the last to go into effect. Boulder county doesn’t seem to have a fire ban in effect yet but I’m sure we will. Luckily it has been moist up by my house, snow flakes and misty rain fell yesterday morning and all night the previous night. There’s even a few snow fields here and there…..

[Gretchen]

I haven't burned fire wood in years, maybe 10. It's pretty rare so far up to this point into the drought that propane fire pits get banned. This pit always goes with me and I love it. It can be a total pain in the butt to haul around so much propane.

[TyTheJeepGuy]

Do you have a recommendation for propane pit brand/product?

[Gretchen]

This is the one that I use and it has worked fine over the years. The lava rocks break down after awhile and they need to be replenished but that's not a big deal since they're only $10 a bag. I carry all my rocks in a 3gal. bucket which is a little big but I would rather be able to hold to many rocks than not enough. If I know I am going to be out at least 4 nights with an average of 62-65 degrees daytime I bring a 40# propane tank with me, with burn times of 3-6hr. a day. I used to hook up my cook stove to the tank as well but I bought a new stove last year that runs on butane so I may get a little more time out of my tank. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007UMD2L0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Jim]

I have this CampChef portable unit:

https://www.amazon.com/Camp-Chef-Gas-Fire-Ring/dp/B000L4HSH8/ref=sr_1_5

I like it (mostly)*. Sturdy. Does not take too much space in the jeep yet gives a decent flame / experience. I pack the rocks separately and the finish is holding up nicely (no rust).

*the one issue I have is with the regulator. It's some anti-seep design where it's very picky getting it to full operational flow - it shuts down to a trickle of fuel thinking there's a leak and the flames are only 1/3 of full. I purchased a different regulator (HarborFreight) but have not tried it yet.

EDIT:

I went with an 11 pound propane tank (9" diameter, 18" tall) for its slender width taller height to fit in the jeep. So far, this one tank has been sufficient, though if I needed I'd add a second tank of the same dimension. The short fat common 20 pounder is just too wide for my liking / storage in the jeep (YMMV).

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Worthington-Pro-Grade-11-lb-Empty-Propane-Tank-281165/202034839
.

[newracer]

I bought this one a few weeks ago on sale for $100. This weekend will be the first opportunity to use it.

https://www.costco.com/outland-firebowl-outdoor-firepit.product.100522829.html

[Gretchen]

I like my fire pit but it's to big. I think I'm going to swap out and buy the Camp Chef. I really like the compact aspect to it, very cool. Although I'll probably stick with my gigantic propane tanks, I like having a lot of fuel and having the ability to stay in the forest as long as possible on my longer trips. I do like the size of the 11# bottles but oh boy are they pricey. Since regulator's are cheap I should probably just always have an extra one on hand.

[open_circuit]

I like my fire pit but it's to big. I think I'm going to swap out and buy the Camp Chef. I really like the compact aspect to it, very cool. Although I'll probably stick with my gigantic propane tanks, I like having a lot of fuel and having the ability to stay in the forest as long as possible on my longer trips. I do like the size of the 11# bottles but oh boy are they pricey. Since regulator's are cheap I should probably just always have an extra one on hand.

Space concerns are why we haven't bought a propane fire pit. Would be nice to have one but then I have another thing to store and carry plus the extra propane.

[Gretchen]

Space is a big deal for sure. When I am wheeling on Colorado trails I carry my tanks outside which helps a lot. I also use an ATV carry basket which is small and has a lift which I find to be an excellent way to carry propane with only the occasional drag on some harder trails. I also just bought a new hitch extension which will add an extra 1 1/2" lift for more clearance, although it is a little longer so it may negate itself.

[Tom]

Space is a big deal for sure. When I am wheeling on Colorado trails I carry my tanks outside which helps a lot. I also use an ATV carry basket which is small and has a lift which I find to be an excellent way to carry propane with only the occasional drag on some harder trails. I also just bought a new hitch extension which will add an extra 1 1/2" lift for more clearance, although it is a little longer so it may negate itself.
Nice pic. Where is that?

[Gretchen]

St. John's and I was heading toward Middle Fork Swan River.

[newracer]

For those that want a compact unit check these out.

https://fireanytime.com/lavaboxes

It would also be pretty easy to make one. Example


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-o7zhY4wCzI

ETA: this is another good build

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kXhOyehI8E (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-o7zhY4wCzI)

[Jim]

Interesting!!

EDIT:

I was originally thinking black pipe / plumbing pipe but the first ammo can link that used copper pipe seems to be preferred. Lighter weight and probably lower cost and perhaps easier assembly (certainly easier to drill the holes). I could see making one of these for the fun of it. I think Jax outdoor at the north end of town has ammo cans...

The H pattern for the pipe method should have nice even pressure for flame size.

[Gretchen]

I liked both of those video's, copper and black pipe. Looks like I have more to think about. I think I would enjoy making either one of those units.

[Java]

I just got this one, I like the folding legs and lid. Also got a carry bag from amazon, and an adapter to use the small 1lb bottles- I have quite a few of them around with unknown fill levels so I'm going to use them up with this.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071HDB73Z?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

[newracer]

I used mine for the first time Saturday night, it works well but does use a lot of LP.