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05-21-2018, 10:12 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: US
Posts: 426
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ADA fire pit hacks
So in Michigan all of the state parks have these really deep concrete encased fire pits and they totally stink. There is absolutely no air flow so unless you back it so high with wood all you get is a Smokey mess.
Does anyone have any thoughts on how to create a air shaft vent or some other hack?
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Let’s go camping!
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05-21-2018, 10:23 PM
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#2
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,173
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mch5jdm
So in Michigan all of the state parks have these really deep concrete encased fire pits and they totally stink. There is absolutely no air flow so unless you back it so high with wood all you get is a Smokey mess.
Does anyone have any thoughts on how to create a air shaft vent or some other hack?
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I’ve created my own airflow with a USB powered fan, a charger block and an extension cord. Just set the fan on the edge pointing into the pit, instant air flow.
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There's no use crying over spilt milk... unless it's on your keyboard.
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05-22-2018, 07:06 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Zephyrhills FL
Posts: 1,105
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A heavy duty grate placed over the top of the pit, then build the fire on the grate. I don't know where you could get a grate like that, probably have to get it custom made but if you camp at these campgrounds a lot it might be worth getting.
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05-22-2018, 07:08 AM
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#4
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(Dry Huunday)
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eastern North Carolina
Posts: 2,298
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DougW
A heavy duty grate placed over the top of the pit, then build the fire on the grate. I don't know where you could get a grate like that, probably have to get it custom made but if you camp at these campgrounds a lot it might be worth getting.
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x2!
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05-22-2018, 01:27 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 395
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DougW
A heavy duty grate placed over the top of the pit, then build the fire on the grate. I don't know where you could get a grate like that, probably have to get it custom made but if you camp at these campgrounds a lot it might be worth getting.
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X3. Fireplace grates are common. HomeDepot, Lowe's, Ace Hardware, Amazon all sell them. Just a google search away. Any fireplace shop would have them in stock but probably more expensive than a big box store. Just need to get one that fits in the CG firepit.
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05-22-2018, 01:28 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Southeast
Posts: 1,047
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Small auger on battery drill to bore a diagonal hole from the outside, then open it up on the inside. Cover the hole when your done. No destruction of camp property.
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05-22-2018, 01:46 PM
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#7
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,173
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rlh1957
Small auger on battery drill to bore a diagonal hole from the outside, then open it up on the inside. Cover the hole when your done. No destruction of camp property.
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These things are like Steel->1' of concrete->Steel. Here's an image shamelessly plucked from Google of what they look like:
It'll take one heck of a bit to open up some air holes in that, and I'm not sure how they could be covered up when done.
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There's no use crying over spilt milk... unless it's on your keyboard.
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05-22-2018, 01:51 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Southeast
Posts: 1,047
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Dang is that a fire pit or a bomb containment cylinder?
I was only thinking of a diagonal hole into the dirt and one on the inside. I didn't mean drill into any real property.
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05-22-2018, 02:07 PM
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#9
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,173
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rlh1957
Dang is that a fire pit or a bomb containment cylinder?
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I think they built them to pull double duty as both.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rlh1957
I was only thinking of a diagonal hole into the dirt and one on the inside. I didn't mean drill into any real property.
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Yeah, that's what I figured. Showed the picture so people didn't misinterpret, get the wrong idea and go start drilling holes in fire rings.
They're kind of nice because they can get the fire up a little higher, more at eye level, but as the OP stated, they can be an issue with airflow in stagnant winds. That's when I do my little fan trick. Just make sure it's a metal fan, plastic one's don't last as long near a fire.
The fan I use is something like this:
Hmm, actually, that reminds me, I need to replace that fan. DW scooped it for use at work and I don't currently have one in the trailer....
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There's no use crying over spilt milk... unless it's on your keyboard.
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05-22-2018, 02:10 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Near Bowling Green
Posts: 455
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I have a small battery powered pump for air mattresses (Coleman). I use that as a bellows when needed.
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05-22-2018, 02:17 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Southeast
Posts: 1,047
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I like the fan idea. We have used a larger fan to fan the fire when we had some crap wood that just couldn't be made to burn... only smoke and smolder. But the fan blast on it and that got things burning good!
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05-22-2018, 02:47 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: ALASKA (World's Biggest Campground)
Posts: 6,594
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In Alaska, for the most part, along with BC,WA & OR, it is so dry in the summer months that open flames are prohibited (Burn Bans). Last summer fires stretched all the way from OR to AK, including the smoke.
Just sayin'.
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05-22-2018, 02:50 PM
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#13
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Director, FROG
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Middlebury, IN
Posts: 3,508
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We have a battery-operated bellows that works well. One of our daughters gave it to us 10 or 12 years ago, and we still use it regularly. It uses the same principle as this, but is a different style.
Battery Operated Bellows
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05-22-2018, 03:08 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Southeast
Posts: 1,047
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Wow... I'd have to get 2 though. One for each grandson, because taking turns and waiting just isn't in them!
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05-22-2018, 03:21 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 154
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I would measure the depth and diameter of the fire pit, then take these dimensions to a muffler shop and have a L shaped exhaust pipe made that you could sit down inside the pit with the top of the pipe near the top or just above the fire pit wall. Have a wire around the top of the pipe and drape it over the sidewall of the fire pit with a weight of some sort connected to it to help hold it in place. When the fire is started, the air will be sucked down the pipe and will feed the fire.
Just remember to retrieve the pipe from the pit before you leave.
You may also need a can with a sliding disk over a hole in the end of the can to slip over the end of the pipe to help control the volume of air sucked down the tube. If not, it may act like a blast furnace and burn up your wood way too fast.
Happy Camping !!!
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05-22-2018, 04:23 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: US
Posts: 426
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kentucky Bob
I would measure the depth and diameter of the fire pit, then take these dimensions to a muffler shop and have a L shaped exhaust pipe made that you could sit down inside the pit with the top of the pipe near the top or just above the fire pit wall. Have a wire around the top of the pipe and drape it over the sidewall of the fire pit with a weight of some sort connected to it to help hold it in place. When the fire is started, the air will be sucked down the pipe and will feed the fire.
Just remember to retrieve the pipe from the pit before you leave.
You may also need a can with a sliding disk over a hole in the end of the can to slip over the end of the pipe to help control the volume of air sucked down the tube. If not, it may act like a blast furnace and burn up your wood way too fast.
Happy Camping !!!
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This is a great idea! I like the idea of a muffler shop. Thanks to all!
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05-22-2018, 04:32 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Mountain Foothills of Southern Alberta
Posts: 1,973
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Go for a road trip and bring back a bunch of rocks, fill the useless pit with them. Then build your fire on top of the rocks.
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05-22-2018, 07:52 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: North Central Florida
Posts: 1,629
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We use a solo stove. They burn completely and leave very little ash. They do not make a mark on the grass. A little pricey, but we got ours on sale. We have the large one. The flames are beautiful and mesmerizing. This is the link to their site: https://www.solostove.com/
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05-23-2018, 10:51 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 9,413
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Re-bar?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mch5jdm
So in Michigan all of the state parks have these really deep concrete encased fire pits and they totally stink. There is absolutely no air flow so unless you back it so high with wood all you get is a Smokey mess.
Does anyone have any thoughts on how to create a air shaft vent or some other hack?
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How about just carrying a couple of pieces of rebar that will span the pit? Build the fire atop them.
Larry
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05-24-2018, 12:11 AM
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#20
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Burton, MI.
Posts: 4,520
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mch5jdm
So in Michigan all of the state parks have these really deep concrete encased fire pits and they totally stink. There is absolutely no air flow so unless you back it so high with wood all you get is a Smokey mess.
Does anyone have any thoughts on how to create a air shaft vent or some other hack?
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Never had a problem using them, most are filled so high with ashes it's not a problem. Holly state park last week, no issues. But I do not buy wood from them, all their wood is smoke. Going to stay in Mitchell State park tomorrow, I'll see what their pits are like
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