What's new
By:
Filters

DIY Ammo box propane firepit

Java230

???
Joined
Jul 15, 2020
Member Number
2303
Messages
1,264
Let me start by saying I built this years ago. DO NOT BUY LAVABOX Who stole my idea and is blatantly selling it for stupid money.

have wanted a propane fire pit for awhile, when camping in burn ban areas they are still allowed. Off the shelf ones are great, but are also pretty big. I wanted portable. I had made one before, it was a little ghetto, but worked. I had a brain wave one night, ammo can would make a great housing for a fire pit!

I used a 50 cal can I had.

Bend up a burner shape that you like and fits in the box. I used 3/8" soft copper tubing.

veiHQvQ.jpg


Drill hole in can for gas connection. I did mine down a bit lower in the can, this lets more store the regulator and hose in the can, but makes it a bit less efficient for heat output, the can sides direct it upwards.

cfwDZhv.jpg


I used a large washer to reinforce the area around the hole. The connection is made with a 3/8 flare by 1/2" female NPT adapter on the outside. A 3/8 crush olive fitting by 1/2" male for the copper pipe connection on the inside. The washer also help space out the thickness so when you tighten the two halves they are tight to the ammo can wall also.

tNBSquS.jpg


Drill holes in burner. I used a 7/64 drill bit. I skipped a few holes, and did a test fire, decided I wanted them all. Went back and drilled them. You can see the burner side of the gas connection here too.

hunoVDH.jpg


Test the hole pattern, you can add more as needed to get even ish flames. Lava rocks will be added that help spread it out a bit too. This was also on a low pressure regulator I had laying around, I have a 0-20psi one that I use now.

NDlfmFW.jpg


I used a piece of expanded metal to do two things, one to support the burner and two to keep it from just being a full can of lava rock.... I cut and bent it to sit just under the burner.

qZyBGhQ.jpg


Fit in the can, I had to cut a bit of a notch for the burner connection.

bhx6uFa.jpg


Burner in place with the expanded metal.

WOodnMo.jpg


With the lava rock in place this time. Also with the new regulator. Just above minimum pressure. Nice little fire. The rock definitely helps spread/retain the heat.

h9ED6Ji.jpg


About half way up on gas pressure, it can get big!

iNBiEs4.jpg


And the hose regulator fits inside! its a little sooty in there though. I may try a venturi for burn air at some point, but keeping it rich makes for the nice yellow flames.

U3ZMVQF.jpg


3FqMoDA.jpg


I have used this for years at this point, its great. Not a huge amount of heat off it (compared to big ass wood fire), but some, and a little more oxygen would probably help, or more lava rock. But for the size and portability its awesome.

And to end, FUCK LAVABOX:mad3:
 
Do you think just a couple of 1/2" holes around the bottom would provide adequate purge air to lower soot production?
 
rockota said:
Meh... I'm sure you're not the first to ever do it, won't be the last. Unless you applied for a patent, you're SOL and this looks bitter.
Click to expand...
Yep maybe not the first, but I did not see it anywhere posted.

Definitely bitter.

But I cant find his "patent number" he is quoting any where either, and from the patent folks I talked to its way too late. I posted online so it is public knowledge.

Either way, build one DIY, its like $50 maybe. Fuck him.
 
CarterKraft said:
Do you think just a couple of 1/2" holes around the bottom would provide adequate purge air to lower soot production?
Click to expand...
Yes, but takes away from my use. Often times its sunk 6" into the snow, that would be problematic.

I tired a off the shelf venturi, but i think it was too big, and my firepit did not flow enough gas. A smaller one maybe. But I have not taken the time to mess with it.
 
I think if you had some sort of heat reflector on the top it might help a bit?
 
D_JEEPER said:
I think if you had some sort of heat reflector on the top it might help a bit?
Click to expand...
Maybe? But less "fire like" I have had people come yell at me during burn bans :lmao:

It does put out heat, its just not the same as a big wood fire, no embers etc to radiate it out.
 
Java230 said:
Maybe? But less "fire like" I have had people come yell at me during burn bans :lmao:

It does put out heat, its just not the same as a big wood fire, no embers etc to radiate it out.
Click to expand...
I just need to roast some smores
 
Java230 said:
Maybe? But less "fire like" I have had people come yell at me during burn bans :lmao:

It does put out heat, its just not the same as a big wood fire, no embers etc to radiate it out.
Click to expand...
One thing you are not doing well for yourself is having walls around the fire. Even if you were to hold a knife hand out at arms reach towards a bonfire, the edge of your hand deflects heat from your face (try it). Getting the flames and rocks up to the edge would do you a big favor unless you want to stand over the can for warmth haha
 
Java230 said:
It will smore. But realize its sooty gas :lmao: But i have eaten plenty of smores and hot dogs. And am sorta still alive.....
Click to expand...
Kind of why I am theorizing some closeable vents for the bottom, customize sootyness.
 
D_JEEPER said:
One thing you are not doing well for yourself is having walls around the fire. Even if you were to hold a knife hand out at arms reach towards a bonfire, the edge of your hand deflects heat from your face (try it). Getting the flames and rocks up to the edge would do you a big favor unless you want to stand over the can for warmth haha
Click to expand...

Yes 100% its a trade off for hose/reg storage. Higher burner and rocks would definitely help heat transfer out.


CarterKraft said:
Kind of why I am theorizing some closeable vents for the bottom, customize sootyness.
Click to expand...

Closeable is fine, but still leaks when in a puddle (for my use case). Venturi is still on my list. Mine just uses a 1/2" NPT fitting which is apparently huge for my burner size.
 
Java230 said:
Closeable is fine, but still leaks when in a puddle (for my use case). Venturi is still on my list. Mine just uses a 1/2" NPT fitting which is apparently huge for my burner size.
Click to expand...
Yeah I see your needs.

If it snows ANY I won't need this deal. :dustin:
 
Java230 said:
Yes 100% its a trade off for hose/reg storage. Higher burner and rocks would definitely help heat transfer out.
Click to expand...
So false floor and bottom cubby storage?
:idea:
 
Java230 said:
Yes either would work. But I used the ammo box as is for the sealing I guess
Click to expand...
You can still do that. Make a basket out of that expanded metal. Have the short ends come a little higher and bend hooks on the tops. When using the burner hook the ends over the can. When not push them in a little and lower it down into the ammo can. Cut a slot instead of a hole for the propane line up higher in the can . Or use a rubber hose up to the burner.
 
Stick some folding legs inside the lid and use it as a platform to get everything out of the snow?
 
D_JEEPER said:
One thing you are not doing well for yourself is having walls around the fire. Even if you were to hold a knife hand out at arms reach towards a bonfire, the edge of your hand deflects heat from your face (try it). Getting the flames and rocks up to the edge would do you a big favor unless you want to stand over the can for warmth haha
Click to expand...
MAYBE CUT AND HINGE THE SIDES TO ASSIST THE RADIATION SIDEWAYS. IT WILL STILL FOLD UP FOR TRANSPORT AND STORAGE. I LIKE THE IDEA. fuck re typing to clear the caplock
 
Why are you extra ****y about someone else building and selling these? I remember my uncle having one when i was like 6 years old and im sure he got showed the idea from someone else.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PAE
To the OP, good idea but ammo can is too small.

Given the desire I would build one from a much bigger can , the Cheaper than dirt can is minimal size.

Have a can I've turned into a faraday box to keep automotive electronics in in case of E M P, I would use that size can, will post up a pic asap
 
1. If you ain’t first, you’re last
2. You ain’t first
3. Take it down and use by the Crimea River.
4. :flipoff2:
5. I googled “ammo can fire pit”. You definitely ain’t the only one.
 
Can't believe I waited this long to build one of these, too easy.
Probably too much lava rock fines but worth a start.
I saw a hose at the hardware store that included a #54 jet so I got a set screw to build a jet, might not be worth it but it's easy to try. The 3/8 flare fitting ID is perfect to tap 5/16-18.

Bezos fucked me on the hose, it was supposed to be 10'.
20220305_123720.jpg

20220305_133551.jpg

20220305_142917.jpg

20220305_144156.jpg
 
Even with a 3/32" jet it will still over run the flow valve in these bbq tanks.
I think it makes it easier to control with the jet so I am going to leave it in there for now.


20220305_145558.jpg

20220305_145418.jpg
 
I can be ****y and butt hurt if I want to :flipoff2:

The dude running lava box is a twat. It's the same damn thing I made, down to the note about it being sooty....

If I fucked up with how low my burner is so did he. If I added a washer for a spacer to use npt threads so did he.

Whatever. I'm sure I wasn't the first, but I put a nice little diy thread together for people to use and he is selling them for a a fuck ton of $. So yeah fuck that shit. :flipoff2:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Back Refresh