Propane “fire pit” solutions for camping that actually put out useful heat?

[pcorssmit]

Most years in Colorado we have at least some fire bans, and end up using Propane fire pits and heaters in place of having a real campfire. The fire pits are good for ambiance, but don’t do really do anything to keep you warm. When we’re RV camping, we’ll set up 1 or 2 easy ups and add walls to them as needed to contain the heat. It works good, but it’s a pain, and you can’t enjoy looking at the stars, etc.

This past weekend we were trail camping. I brought along a collapsable 80k BTU convection heater, since there was a fire ban and it was in the lower 40s at night. We made a pretty decent shelter stretching tarps out between the trees. The heater worked good, but the heat still all goes up to the ceiling, and you get cold sitting in a chair.

I think what I need is an IR heater. One of my buddies has a buddy heater that works pretty well for what it is, but it’s directional. I want something to replace the fire pit, something we can circle the chairs around. My current thinking is to pick up a cheap/free used umbrella style patio heater (the tall ones), and modify it. Use the top portion as-is, replace the upright portion with something removable and easier to pack, maybe add a spiked foot to it, and a longer propane hose.

Anyone have a good solution that works for them?

 

[Thumping]

Sounds like you have a plan and was actually something along the lines I was going to suggest.

 

[non-OP]

you need to find a smokeless fire pit with a heat diffuser

 

[87manche]

What about those stand.up 360 degree ir propane jobbies restaurants put on the patios?

 

[pcorssmit]

What about those stand.up 360 degree ir propane jobbies restaurants put on the patios?

That's what I was talking about modifying. Like this:

 

[pcorssmit]

you need to find a smokeless fire pit with a heat diffuser

Not sure what you mean?

 

[bad zuki]

Do Smudge pots fall under this category? They fall under commercial use on the east coast. They put out a ton of heat.

 

[non-OP]

Not sure what you mean?

Outpost™ Heat Deflector

Designed to work with our Outpost Rod, the Outpost Heat Deflector is purposefully designed to maximize hot airflow out from the fire pit to keep you warm. It is the ONLY adjustable heat deflector available today, and is built to outperform and outlast other heat deflectors on the market...

breeo.com

 

[87manche]

That's what I was talking about modifying. Like this:

Well yeah, but you typed too many words for me to bother reading them all

 

[pcorssmit]

Outpost™ Heat Deflector

Designed to work with our Outpost Rod, the Outpost Heat Deflector is purposefully designed to maximize hot airflow out from the fire pit to keep you warm. It is the ONLY adjustable heat deflector available today, and is built to outperform and outlast other heat deflectors on the market...

breeo.com

I don't know of anywhere in the state where that would be allowed when a normal campfire isn't. Can't be a wood or charcoal fire.

 

[non-OP]

I don't know of anywhere in the state where that would be allowed when a normal campfire isn't. Can't be a wood or charcoal fire.

I just meant something like this cover that diffuses the heat laterally. You can probably make something similar to do the same thing

 

[pcorssmit]

Do Smudge pots fall under this category? They fall under commercial use on the east coast. They put out a ton of heat.

I'm not really familiar with them, but I don't think so. Typically there has to be a way to turn the "fire" off with a valve or a switch. Here's an exerpt from the Forest Service ban (the are we were in had a FS ban and a county ban).

1. Igniting, building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire (including fires fueled by charcoal or briquettes) except if it is in:
a. A permanent metal or concrete fire pit or grate that the U.S. Forest Service has installed and maintained at its developed recreation sites (campgrounds and picnic areas);
b. A device solely fueled by liquid or gas that can be turned on and off used in an area barren or cleared of all flammable materials within three feet of the device; or
c. A fully enclosed metal stove with a chimney at least five feet in length and a mesh screen spark arrestor with a screen opening of a ¼ inch or less used in an area that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials within 10 feet of the device.

 

[Java230]

Add a little extension and mesh to a smudge pot?

"technically" its filled with liquid fuel and can be turned off. Close the air down and flip the top closed?

 

[Brad]

The propane one I’ve used that puts out heat looks like a 5 gallon bucket upsidedown like this

 

[pcorssmit]

That's the style I was using. We put some flat rocks on top that helped, eventually I put a dutch oven on top of the rocks and that seemed to help, too. It worked, but most of the heat still goes up.

 

[Lancey]

They sell heat deflectors that sit above the propane fire pits like a small metal table that deflects heat sideways rather than up . View attachment 81kDkVsfisL._AC_UF894,1000_QL80_FMwebp_.webp

 

[SmudgePotDirect]

Most years in Colorado we have at least some fire bans, and end up using Propane fire pits and heaters in place of having a real campfire. The fire pits are good for ambiance, but don’t do really do anything to keep you warm. When we’re RV camping, we’ll set up 1 or 2 easy ups and add walls to them as needed to contain the heat. It works good, but it’s a pain, and you can’t enjoy looking at the stars, etc.

This past weekend we were trail camping. I brought along a collapsable 80k BTU convection heater, since there was a fire ban and it was in the lower 40s at night. We made a pretty decent shelter stretching tarps out between the trees. The heater worked good, but the heat still all goes up to the ceiling, and you get cold sitting in a chair.

I think what I need is an IR heater. One of my buddies has a buddy heater that works pretty well for what it is, but it’s directional. I want something to replace the fire pit, something we can circle the chairs around. My current thinking is to pick up a cheap/free used umbrella style patio heater (the tall ones), and modify it. Use the top portion as-is, replace the upright portion with something removable and easier to pack, maybe add a spiked foot to it, and a longer propane hose.

Anyone have a good solution that works for them?

Depending on local restrictions, some fire authorities permit the use of smudge pots because they don't produce embers. However, it's important to use fuels like diesel or kerosene.

 

[SmudgePotDirect]

Do Smudge pots fall under this category? They fall under commercial use on the east coast. They put out a ton of heat.

They put out SO MUCH HEAT just need to make sure you check with what level of fire restriction there is and burn someting clean, don't start with anything but a propane torch so you hae no embers.

 

[bad zuki]

They put out SO MUCH HEAT just need to make sure you check with what level of fire restriction there is and burn someting clean, don't start with anything but a propane torch so you hae no embers.

Do yall have a little bell that rings whenever someone mentions SP's?

 

[pcorssmit]

I'll have to look into the smudge pots, sounds like a good solution if it's legal. Sounds like it could be a bit messy to transport trail camping, but RV camping (which we do much more frequently) wouldn't be an issue.

The heat deflector is kind of what got me started down this path. The previous trip it was much warmer, we used the propane fire pit w/out the EZ up. Our pit has a round steel cover that snaps on to keep the lava rock contained during transport/storage. I pulled the metal ring out of the lava rocks, stood it on end, and balanced the cover on top. Made a bit difference in the comfort level.

I started reading on this site last night about the IR vs. convection heaters, their product sounded cool until I saw the $1300 price tag. That's what got me looking for IR heaters. Portable Propane Fire Pit | Howl Campfires

 

[DWT]

You need to get something hot other than air that goes away quickly. Something like an engine block etc set on a 'pane fire pit will let light out and once the metal is heated will spread all sorts of heat.


We used to put old rotors, crankshafts etc in the barrel stove in my parents shop and feed it with a trickle of used oil. There were times in the winter that we were in t shirts inside of an old dry as a popcorn fart milk barn that you could see by most every slat. Fucker put off HEAT!

 

[smurfblue40]

We have this one, it puts out a decent amount of heat. I want to add some more rocks to help get a better “coal bed”.

Amazon.com

 

[Muckin_Slusher]

Why not support our smudgepot vendor ?

Smudge Pot Giveaway!

Ok! First giveaway starts this week starts NOW! This is perfect for anyone that can't make it to Glamis this weekend for the Camp Rzr season opener and still wants to try their hand at winning a smudge pot! Head over to Facebook or Instagram for your chance to win! We will draw the winner...

irate4x4.com

Somebody here built a propane fired rock box for desert heat where there's no wood.

If somebody already suggested these in the thread, they can suck shit because I only read the OP then drunkpost!.

 

[Clb]

Ammo can heater thread on here somewhere...
Deflecting smudge pot heat from +36-48" off the ground sounds challenging ...

 

[hooligan shmulligan]

LavaBox Portable Campfire - The Original Ammo Can Fire Pit

The best portable propane campfire boasting over 180,000 BTUs of radiant heat & a sub 3 minute setup time. Load up your LavaBox Portable Campfire and bug out for fire ban compliant fun with all the nostalgia of a wood-burning fire (minus the smoke).

fireanytime.com

Built one of these last year for our Thanksgiving Cayonlands trip. Bulk head fitting ,air mixer valve,hose with regulator off Amazon and some black pipe with holes drilled in it.
Worked pretty well. Used more propane then I thought it would. 20lb in 3 nights but I had it cranking the first night.

 

[M92PV4U]

I'm going to make one out of either a patio heater or a water heater burner, wrap it with perforated steel sheet and rock out. I'll get to it someday Fawk! .

 

[Vinman]

In regards to keeping warm while camping we use the cheap windshield sunscreens to line the bottom and backs of our camp chairs while sitting around the fire. They make a substantial difference in maintaining body heat and reflecting heat from the fire.

 

[M92PV4U]

cheap windshield sunscreens to line the bottom and backs of our camp chairs while sitting around the fire.

So do you sit on this or attach it to the opposite side of the chair?

 

[Vinman]

So do you sit on this or attach it to the opposite side of the chair?

Sit on it.

 

[CarterKraft]

In regards to keeping warm while camping we use the cheap windshield sunscreens to line the bottom and backs of our camp chairs while sitting around the fire. They make a substantial difference in maintaining body heat and reflecting heat from the fire.

This is pretty fuckin smart me thinks...

My ass (and wife) is always ice cold when her in bed, like that fat is frozen 😂