Propane Fire Pits

[robbecky]

Hi folks. The wife and I are planning some RV trips to parks that don't allow wood burning fire pits. So I am considering getting a propane fire pit. But I don't really know that much about them.

1. Suggestions for good ones?
2. How much propane do they go through?
3. Can they be adapter to connect to the quick connect fitting on the RV?

You get the point. Advice and info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks ............ Rob

[Flybob]

Originally Posted by robbecky

Hi folks. The wife and I are planning some RV trips to parks that don't allow wood burning fire pits. So I am considering getting a propane fire pit. But I don't really know that much about them.

1. Suggestions for good ones?
2. How much propane do they go through?
3. Can they be adapter to connect to the quick connect fitting on the RV?

You get the point. Advice and info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks ............ Rob

Lots of choices the Outland line is decent. I recommend the model with a cover and carry kit as they can be a little messy to carry. They require a modification to use with the low pressure quick connect. It is easier to add a Tee on your tank (before the regulator) and use an extension hose. The pit has a fairly long hose. They use a fair amount of propane but offer a nice fire even on low.


Example: https://www.amazon.com/Outland-Fireb...e+pits+outdoor

[robbecky]

Thanks for responding. If I go with the Tee for the tank, can you suggest what fitting I need to make it quick connect?

[clarkbre]

Originally Posted by robbecky

1. Suggestions for good ones?
2. How much propane do they go through?
3. Can they be adapter to connect to the quick connect fitting on the RV?

1. We have the Outland 883 and really like it. The 4 legs make it very stable and the 24" diameter is a nice size for 4 or 5 people to hang out. Much smaller and its compact size can be a bit of a hindrance.

2. Used on low or medium, we can easily get 2 or 3 evenings (3 hours each) out of ours. On high, it burns through propane quite a bit more. The burner is rated at 58,000 btu.

A gallon of propane has 91,600 btu. At 4.2 lbs per gallon, your 20 pound tank holds 4.76 gallons. (91600*4.76)/58,000= 7.5 hours of run time on high hooked to a 20 lbs tank.

Also a gallon of propane costs about $2.49 per gallon so the tank is about $11.85 to fill. I'm sure a couple of dry $5 bundles of firewood would only last a few hours.

3. In order to connect it to your trailer, you'd have to remove the high to low pressure valve that came with the fire pit. I can't remember if that's at the connection to the tank or in the internal regulator on the pit itself. Either way, I would suggest against it for 2 reasons: 1. A hose will limit your distance from the trailer forcing the pit to be close to your trailer. 2. You usually use the firepit in the dark and a long hose from the trailer to the fire can (and will) trip people up.

[clarkbre]

Originally Posted by robbecky

Thanks for responding. If I go with the Tee for the tank, can you suggest what fitting I need to make it quick connect?

Propane T Fitting for 20 lbs bottle

[rsdata]

You usually use the firepit in the dark and a long hose from the trailer to the fire can (and will) trip people up.

I totally agree with this... although it seems intuitive to use the on board trailer tank(s), it really is easier to carry an extra 20# tank and just use it exclusively with the firepit. Much easier then coiling/uncoiling another hose... or packing/buying expensive/poor quality firewood. Instant ON/Off makes it convenient. Also NO SMOKE makes it easy on your camper AND your neighbors... I have been bothered many times by smokey fires intruding into my campsite from neighbors... while not bothering THEM at all.

3-4 nights on a 20# tank is about what I use. I have a unit I bought at Sam's Club about 5-6 years ago. It it still very useful and I take it everywhere I go camping. It has a cover that locks on top to keep everything contained. I carry it on a rack installed on the back bumper.

It seems brands come and go on propane fired pits, I suggest you keep your eyes open both on Amazon, Sam's, Costco and big box stores for a "deal". They can be had for about $100+... some have been much higher.

[larry2c]

We have this one - Big Red Campfire in a can and we really like it. Puts out plenty of heat (we hardly ever open the valve all the way) and it seems to be fairly decent on propane use. It shares the 20# tank I use for home brewing so I don't have any real hours run info. BTW, I do agree with rsdata about using a separate tank so the trip hazard is reduced.

One last interesting bit of info - we originally bought our Big Red Campfire from Amazon for $139. They no longer list the Big Red version, only the Little Red one.

[67L48]

Originally Posted by rsdata

[...] I suggest you keep your eyes open both on Amazon, Sam's, Costco and big box stores for a "deal". They can be had for about $100+... some have been much higher.

Outland Firebowl Mega is often at Costco for $100. Around here, it seems like they're always around in Costco (unlike other products that just sort of disappear). Otherwise, it's around $130-$140 at Amazon, Home Depot, and others.

They're pretty nice. We use ours when fire bans prevent wood-burning fires.

Good luck.

[5picker]

We have the Bond fire pit from Lowe's
It was $89 on sale. It easily runs off a separate tank or the quick connection.

https://m.lowes.com/pd/Bond-18-5-in-...e-Pit/50037272

[spock123]

Can you cook food over a portable fire pit. Like Cornish Chicken

[67L48]

The Bond firepit looks nice. Just keep in mind that it's 18.5" in diameter and 54K BTU. The Outland Mega I linked to is 24" and 58K BTU. While the heat output is about the same, the size is not. The Outland is 30% larger in diameter, but the area is what matters ... and that extra 5.5" in diameter makes nearly a 70% larger fire pit area.

Having used the 24" Outland Mega, I don't feel like it's really that big. I definitely wouldn't want one smaller. Considering the $10 price difference between the two, it's an easy choice for me: $100 for the Outland Mega.

As for cooking over a fire pit, I'm not sure why you want to hijack this thread, considering you already started your own thread with your question. Poor form.

But ... the materials and burners aren't really designed for that. The food will be fine, as there shouldn't be any difference to the function of the burners/heat output. The fire pit might not fare so well. As food cooks, there is quite a bit of it that goes down into your grill or, in this case, the fire pit. Crumbs, grease, soot, and myriad other things come off our food and fall down into the cooking device. Grills are designed to handle this with various protections. The fire pit is not. It will get messy and clog without careful containment strategies.

In many ways, it's the same reason I wouldn't cook food over an open flame on a Coleman stove (or equivalent). You'll mess up the burner pretty quick doing that.

[rsdata]

Can you cook food over a portable fire pit. Like Cornish Chicken

Well my firepit is nothing more than a bed of lava rock with a gas-tube in a circle about 3-4 inches from the outside edge... I have a 24" diameter pit.

I'm not sure how you cook a cornish hen, but hot dogs on a stick, or anything else inside a metal cage on a handle, like burgers or steaks works just fine...

My fire pit does do double duty... cooking and campfire. A lid clamps on with 3 latches for travel, keeping the lava rock locked inside.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by spock123

Can you cook food over a portable fire pit. Like Cornish Chicken

You could on mine if you wanted to contend with the mess. (like dripping grease) Mine has lava rock and a stainless burner similar to a gas grill and gets plenty hot enough.

I just wouldn't want the mess of cleaning it. When we are done with a campfire, I turn it off, place the lid and give it a 1/4 turn and we're ready for the next campfire.

I have grills and smokers when it is time to cook.

[imjustdave]

I recommend 2 or 3 fire pits. Yes camping with friends and 2-3 pits makes for a nice heat source.

[47driver]

We love the Outland Firebowl. Order extra lava rocks with it though. The extra rocks makes the the fire more esthetically pleasing.

[Ace_Furley]

We have the Bond and ordered this 12 foot hose to use with the quick connect port on our coach. I can report that is works with the Bond & it's nice to not have to lug around a seperate tank.

https://www.amazon.com/DOZYANT-Conne...s%2C156&sr=8-3

[Teetime]

Just found this one at Costco, 18" with cover. Does anyone have one?

[TheWolfPaq82]

My Firepit. It doesn't travel well, but it does do it's job.

[dbledan]

We have the following:
Camco Portable Propane Outdoor Campfire with Foldable Legs, Comes with 8ft Hose and Protective Storage Bag- Great for Camping, Cookouts and More (58041) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CXB84N4..._7ntHCbCTZ1MGQ

It is slightly larger than a Dutch oven and comes with a bag to store it in. It came with small lava rocks which were very dusty. I would buy the larger lava stones for less mess.

I have adapted it to use the quick connect propane connection on the trailer I got from fittings at menards. I use the quick connect shutoff to regulate the flow a bit. It works ok for 2 or 3 people. More than that and you cannot get close enough to keep warm in a breeze.

It goes through lots of propane...more than my furnace would.

My buddy has an Outland. It is much larger and came with larger lava stones. It is warmer and has a lid as well but he had to get a seperate bag for it. It was twice the price. If entertaining I would go with the Outland. I am not sure how well the Outland could be adapted as it has a higher flow rate. If just 2-3 of you this will work fine.

One additional note if looking to use the trailer quick connect is to keep in mind what your trailer regulator can support max flow. This a furnace and a water heater all trying to run could bring it to its knees. Any one of them is fine and I never had issues with 2 but when all 3 ran I found out how much I could get out of it. Mine is stronger with a 20lb tank and regulator than hooked to the quick connect mainly due to distance to get it closer to people.

When I plan to use it a lot on a cooler weekend I will bring an extra 20lb tank.

The Outland is rated roughly 50000-60000bts and will drain a 20gal tank in 8-10 hours on full. Mine is lower BTUs but still sucks down the propane.

I gave up on regular fires because of the smoke and usually cannot get DW outside that long. This is quick and easy. We have roasted marshmallows over it once and it did ok after heating up. The disadvantage is it needs to cool before being put away which means leaving it outside uncovered for a few hours.

These are great and you need to find a happy medium for how to balance storage and usage that works for you.

[babock]

We have this one. Love it. 21" diameter. Just used it last night and forgot how great it is.

https://smile.amazon.com/Outland-Fir...r=8-3-fkmrnull