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

hooligan shmulligan said:
fireanytime.com

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 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.
Click to expand...

Java had a thread on this.

I built one with a flat ammo can and it kicks ass, A LOT of heat output like a real campfire. Can use a lot of pane if you get rowdy but IMO it's par for the course in a burn ban.

I had a plan to use a buffet pan/lid as a ammo can substitute...

1000014124.jpg
 
irate4x4.com

DIY Ammo box propane firepit

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...
irate4x4.com irate4x4.com
 
What about adding propane to a small solo stove. They pump out heat. It will be clean and easy to transport

Solo Stove ranger plus this

Just size it correctly.
 
Poke said:
What about adding propane to a small solo stove. They pump out heat. It will be clean and easy to transport

Solo Stove ranger plus this

Just size it correctly.
Click to expand...
The solo stove relies on secondary burn from the unburned gas.
With a pane fire you won't get any effect from that the ring will likely just insulate the person from the fire.
 
I've been reading up on the smudge pots on some other threads here, and now I really want one. :cool2: Would be cool to have in the backyard, and for RV camping, where we have more space to haul it and typically have a bigger group. We occasionally have fire bans at home (Arapahoe county), but we're still allowed to have residential wood fires under stage 1. There are times though when it's a bit too windy to do it safely (sometimes we've used charcoal if we're concerned, and the hose is handy just in case). I'd just need to make sure the thing would fit in the bed of my truck somehow, probably have to go directly in front of the 5th wheel hitch.

Reading the fire restriction rules, it seems like it should be legal. We often RV camp in Park County (which is usually one of the last counties to have a ban), and they have exemptions under stage 1 & 2 for "Persons using a fire solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels".

I still think I want to experiment with a cheap/free patio heater. I think I could make it fairly compact. I wouldn't expect it to work as well as a smudge pot, but for smaller groups and when we're space limited, I think it'd work. We also usually get in at least one trip a year with the dirt bikes and a tent, where it would be handy.
 
Forgot to say that I checked the old propane pit last night, it's 55k BTU. The ammo can pits look like they'd travel better, but heat wise I don't see how these would really be any better than the propane pit I have now.
 
pcorssmit said:
Forgot to say that I checked the old propane pit last night, it's 55k BTU. The ammo can pits look like they'd travel better, but heat wise I don't see how these would really be any better than the propane pit I have now.
Click to expand...
I can't say for the standard ammo can fire pit but the flat can I used has only like 3" sides so the fire is very low, it keeps my feet warm which usually doesn't happen with a rock fire ring etc.
 
CarterKraft said:
I can't say for the standard ammo can fire pit but the flat can I used has only like 3" sides so the fire is very low, it keeps my feet warm which usually doesn't happen with a rock fire ring etc.
Click to expand...
I was going to mention that—the lower the flame, the better. Even my little shitty off the shelf 48kbtu setup works better than most because of the small size and the low height.

OP, whatever you do, I think you want short metal walls around the burner if you go for propane. The crappy camper fire pits almost all have the same burner. A burner in a bigger pit with higher walls around it will warm your shins and feet less than the same burner low to the ground. I’d never seen your flat can setup, carterkraft—that’s pretty badass.
 
CarterKraft said:
I can't say for the standard ammo can fire pit but the flat can I used has only like 3" sides so the fire is very low, it keeps my feet warm which usually doesn't happen with a rock fire ring etc.
Click to expand...
That's a good point. 2 out of the 3 legs on my fire pit fall off if you look at it funny, I've been meaning to fix them...maybe I should just unscrew the 3rd one instead.
 
This can is rare I think... I paid like $7 they were $80+ on some military sites.

1726062798862.jpeg
 
I'll go ahead and blow my million dollar idea...
Use these pans and use some spring latch straps to secure the lids, hinge or whatever, the lid isn't critical but it is nice to have the sealed ammo can lid cause it keeps the lave rocks/soot etc. from dumping in my RV.


1726062928087.png
 
Just found this on CL, not too far from my house:

Bonnet heater, propane. - $30 (Elizabeth)​

1726063251204.png


1726063280711.png


Never seen anything like this, but it might be just what I didn't know I was looking for.
 
pcorssmit said:
Just found this on CL, not too far from my house:

Bonnet heater, propane. - $30 (Elizabeth)​

1726063251204.png


1726063280711.png


Never seen anything like this, but it might be just what I didn't know I was looking for.
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We used to have one of those in a shop I worked at, we'd put a wok on top and cook breakfast :laughing:

They put out heat no doubt but probably burn the pane like crazy, 100K BTU is 1 gallon of propane so 4 hours would kill a 20 lb bbq bottle (rough maths don't kill me).

While this heater would work I think it will pump heat to atmosphere.
I am with you on always wanting a better heater.
The right idea is probably a highly focused radiant heater with a small flame.
Maybe like a radial MR.Buddy.

dynagloheater.com

Dyna-Glo Delux 100K BTU Natural Gas Radiant Heater RA100NGDGD - Dyna Glo Heater

Variable BTU Output Flame Safety System 1-Hand Piezo Ignition Full Surround Steel Cage Included Low Pressure Regulator
dynagloheater.com dynagloheater.com
 
I texted the seller, he's going to check BTU and measure it for me. It is a free standing unit with a hose. If it's under ~80k, I'll probably give it a shot. Your math checks out. I did the math on 80k before our trip last weekend. A full 20 lb. bottle should go ~5 3/8 hours, a 15 lb. fill (at the exchange places like Blue Rhino) would be ~4 hours (if you are able to use all of it). That's assuming running it full bore, too. I'm ok with using a bottle a night, we usually have multiple families bring bottles for the fire.

I have a 225k BTU convection heater also, I bought it without realizing how big it was. We used it once snow camping inside a 20 x 10 double EZ up shelter, and cooked on top of it. Even on low, it's too much. The 80k is the replacement for the big one; it works great for keeping the attached garage warm in the winter when we have people over.

This is what my collapseable 80k one looks like. Makes it a bit easier to transport & store, I fit it in a Rubbermade tote for our trip last weekend.

1726067970203.png
 

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pcorssmit said:
I texted the seller, he's going to check BTU and measure it for me. It is a free standing unit with a hose. If it's under ~80k, I'll probably give it a shot. Your math checks out. I did the math on 80k before our trip last weekend. A full 20 lb. bottle should go ~5 3/8 hours, a 15 lb. fill (at the exchange places like Blue Rhino) would be ~4 hours (if you are able to use all of it). That's assuming running it full bore, too. I'm ok with using a bottle a night, we usually have multiple families bring bottles for the fire.

I have a 225k BTU convection heater also, I bought it without realizing how big it was. We used it once snow camping inside a 20 x 10 double EZ up shelter, and cooked on top of it. Even on low, it's too much. The 80k is the replacement for the big one; it works great for keeping the attached garage warm in the winter when we have people over.

This is what my collapseable 80k one looks like. Makes it a bit easier to transport & store, I fit it in a Rubbermade tote for our trip last weekend.

1726067970203.png
Click to expand...
For $30 I'd buy it either way :homer:

A disc reflector on top of that might be awesome.
 
That's what I figured. For $30, it's worth a shot as long as it'll run for a night on one bottle.

This thread also reminds me I need to get rid of the 225k.
 
pcorssmit said:
I've been reading up on the smudge pots on some other threads here, and now I really want one. :cool2: Would be cool to have in the backyard, and for RV camping, where we have more space to haul it and typically have a bigger group. We occasionally have fire bans at home (Arapahoe county), but we're still allowed to have residential wood fires under stage 1. There are times though when it's a bit too windy to do it safely (sometimes we've used charcoal if we're concerned, and the hose is handy just in case). I'd just need to make sure the thing would fit in the bed of my truck somehow, probably have to go directly in front of the 5th wheel hitch.

Reading the fire restriction rules, it seems like it should be legal. We often RV camp in Park County (which is usually one of the last counties to have a ban), and they have exemptions under stage 1 & 2 for "Persons using a fire solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels".

I still think I want to experiment with a cheap/free patio heater. I think I could make it fairly compact. I wouldn't expect it to work as well as a smudge pot, but for smaller groups and when we're space limited, I think it'd work. We also usually get in at least one trip a year with the dirt bikes and a tent, where it would be handy.
Click to expand...
I have several of the tall ones with a aluminum dome on top that I pulled out of recycling and fixed by eliminating the thermocouple so you turn the knob and light them.:laughing:They could be shortened easy too.
I only use one so I could let one go for a beverage trade. After reading this thread I think that putting the dome from one of these above a mushroom heater would work too.
 
Thanks, I appreciate the offer. I replied to a listing for a free one on Next Door this morning. They pop up semi regularly, usually with a banged up dome from falling over. I'm in Centennial (far SE metro area); I don't make it up your way too often but if I don't find one close by I'll hit you up!
 
pcorssmit said:
Thanks, I appreciate the offer. I replied to a listing for a free one on Next Door this morning. They pop up semi regularly, usually with a banged up dome from falling over. I'm in Centennial (far SE metro area); I don't make it up your way too often but if I don't find one close by I'll hit you up!
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No problem.
 
pcorssmit said:
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

1725919553854.png
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I have been on a few trips with a guy with one of these. Definitely the best one I have seen. Actually has the heat, not just the pretty flame most have.
 
I heard back from the seller. Ø15" x 31" tall, 100k BTU. I think I'm going to pass; I have a feeling it'd work better than the one I have now due to the vents angling down, but I don't think it's going to get glowing to where I would get any real radiant heat out of it, especially if I have it throttled down to try to get more than 4 hours out of a tank. As tall as it is, I think most of the heat will wind up going up in the air.

I think the modified patio heater is my best bet at this point. Seems they're usually ~45k BTU.
 
It works!

I never got a response on the freebie heater on Next Door (shocking, I know). I actually had a patio heater that I’d been saving for when I finally get my paver patio built. After taking a closer look at it, it was in rougher shape than I remembered. We had a nasty hail storm in June that hit our neighborhood pretty hard. So I decided I'd cannibalize this one, and keep an eye out for a nicer one to use at the house.

Friday night I removed the lower portion. I really wanted to test it out before committing any real time or materials to the project. I grabbed a piece of U-shaped scrap that I could bend by hand to sort of fit, drilled a few holes in it, and cut a point on the other end. I used a sledge to pound it in the ground to the height I wanted, and bolted the heater on with 3 of the 4 original bolts.

Heater b.jpg


It works good. It only got down to ~62° (my house is ~5700’, compared to 9000’+ where we camp), but I was comfortable sitting in a lawn chair in shorts & flip flops. It’s definitely a shin roaster. If you hold your hand above the umbrella, it’s not very warm. Definitely not loosing all the heat straight up like the other heater or the fire pit. I set it up in the dirt so I wouldn’t roast my grass, but after testing it I could’ve done it on the grass. I was also afraid the hose would get hot without some kind of heat shield, but it didn’t. Should be able to get at least 10 people around it, and you can still see over the top to make eye contact with people on the other side. Now that I’ve proven the concept, the next step will be to make it portable.

Here’s some heater tech, as well. When I was first testing it, one side of the heater seemed like it wasn’t burning right. The flames were escaping the globe. Eventually, it would make kind of a roaring noise, and the flames got bigger. It was burning rich, and sooted up the underside of the umbrella. After a quick google search, I found a youtube video that showed the problem. The two stamped discs that make up the burner are (poorly) spot welded together, and eventually the spot welds break. So it starts out with a bit bigger flame on one side, then as the discs heat up they pull apart more (hence the roaring sound). I put a little tack weld about every 5-6 holes, now it burns good and gets the whole globe glowing orange.

Heater f.jpg


Heater e.jpg



Heater d.jpg
 
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pcorssmit said:
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

1725919553854.png
Click to expand...
I'm interested in this, looks like a perfect diy project to hack fuck together.
 
Do it! I'll be hacking the patio heater together at some point. I don't forsee any more fire-ban camping this year for us, so it'll hopefully be a winter project.
 
pcorssmit said:
Do it! I'll be hacking the patio heater together at some point. I don't forsee any more fire-ban camping this year for us, so it'll hopefully be a winter project.
Click to expand...
That thing looks to be bad ass build quality but for sure out of my price range.

I wonder if its loud? "Howl" :confused:
 

US11959645B2 - Portable heating device - Google Patents

A portable heating device is provided that generally consists of an upper housing having a plurality of openings that allow heat to escape from a coiled infrared heating tube that generates radiant heat. The portable heating device also includes an upper surface with an opening that produces a...
patents.google.com
 
pcorssmit said:
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

1725919553854.png
Click to expand...
you just want to make sure you transport empty. then its not a huge mess
 
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