Propane fire pit information and discussion.

[rsdata]

I bought my first and only propane firepit from Sam's about 6 years ago paying about $75. I got tired of paying premium prices for campground firewood. Since then I have tried to keep up with fire pits in general. One thing I noticed are these usually have a limited shelf/sale life. Often they appear at big box stores in the spring like Home Depot, Sam's and Costco, but are not there the very next season. Possibly replaced by another model or even another brand the next year at usually a higher price. Amazon at least carries them year long if in the market in the winter.

The observation here is that if you see one that you like at a good price, then get it now as you may not see that particular brand/model again. The next year a new batch will come in and have a different size, different components/features and a different price, usually higher.

I have a 19 inch burn pit with an additional round metal bar that runs 24 inches in diameter around the perimeter. That provides some distance between the hot fire bowl and accidentally rubbing against it or getting too close. It has lava rocks and a secured latching lid for transport. Weighs about 25# without the tank. I usually use a separate 20# tank. Easy to pickup even when hot to re-position using the outside round bar. In the colder weather I drag it under the awning where the heat is trapped so it gives extra warmth. A controller on the pit for the fire level helps in this instance to turn up or down as needed. I have been known to cook hot dogs on a fork and burgers in a basket with it, especially when getting home after dark. The grease burns off the hot lava rock which is easily replaced if necessary. Mine has held up well leaving it in the rain and outside under a cover for much of the year. There is some rust on the closing latches. When these fail I will shop for another.

As has been stated before, I can get at least two long 3-4 hour campfires from a 20# tank and up to 4 shorter burns.

[LarrysPony]

We really like this firepit.

[lazyjj]

I bought the same one from Lowe's that is shown above. Love it. I don't like winter but love to be outside so mine gets a lot of use when not camping.

[retiree]

Originally Posted by 5picker

We have this one by Bond.
We use it both with an external tank and sometimes connected to the low pressure port depending on where we decide we want a fire.
It works well and gives off good heat so it's more than a pretty fire.

We like the twist locking lid (that you can put on even when warm) and that the flame control is built into the unit so switching between sources is simple. The flame control valve also has a piezoelectric lighter function.

The only thing we've done in the two years we've had it is add additional lava rock to the tune of $5.

We've certainly not cooked on it but I believe you could with a BBQ grill grate. We have roasted marshmallows on it.
We got it on sale for $70.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Bond-18-5-i...e-Pit/50037272

We bought the same one on sale Labor Day weekend. We have used it three times since then and will be using it this weekend when we go to Gettysburg. It gives off a lot of heat and when you are done just shut it off and it cools down quickly. No muss, no fuss, and best of all no smoke.

I have a Y connection on my propane on the TT and also bought an extra 10 foot hose. This gets it out into the middle of the camper and also far enough that it is not under the awning.

[lesptr]

Originally Posted by Funengineer

That was helpful?

It was a valid thought. All of the above is why I haven’t bought one yet. I can’t figure out where to store it while traveling.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by lesptr

It was a valid thought. All of the above is why I haven’t bought one yet. I can’t figure out where to store it while traveling.

If it helps, mine lives in my truck bed between the hitch and the tailgate. Same with my Weber Q grill on its stand.

[gbaldwin]

Originally Posted by lesptr

It was a valid thought. All of the above is why I haven’t bought one yet. I can’t figure out where to store it while traveling.

Back of TV for me ... should work for OP.

[lesptr]

I could put it there for trips that don’t require the turd hurst.

[SSandman]

Originally Posted by lesptr

It was a valid thought. All of the above is why I haven’t bought one yet. I can’t figure out where to store it while traveling.

I have an Outland Firebowl and it fits perfectly on top of my 16in spare in the basement. Does not move resting on the rubber.

[lesptr]

Originally Posted by SSandman

I have an Outland Firebowl and it fits perfectly on top of my 16in spare in the basement. Does not move resting on the rubber.

There is absolutely no room in my basement anything else.

[omahagirl]

We will be trying out a Solo stove not propane but a very efficient wood stainless stove,little smoke. About 30 lbs. we saw one in use in MA and Hershey by a fellow Berk owner. Hubby made room for it on the slide. We have a Boston puppy that shares the Solo name. Here it is the day it arrived. Will buy wood at campground or there locally. Piper our other Boston and Holly the Puggle

[lesptr]

Originally Posted by omahagirl

We will be trying out a Solo stove not propane but a very efficient wood stainless stove,little smoke. About 30 lbs. we saw one in use in MA and Hershey by a fellow Berk owner. Hubby made room for it on the slide. We have a Boston puppy that shares the Solo name. Here it is the day it arrived. Will buy wood at campground or there locally. Piper our other Boston and Holly the Puggle

I have one also. Love it. No room to take it in the camper though. I think I need to clean out some stuff.

[Oafdawg]

Picked up a Fire Dancer at an online auction for 15 bucks because they had it listed as a propane hose. Nobody bothered to unscrew the top and just assumed it was a hose reel.

[FleckDreher]

Camco Little Red Campfire, LPG, ceramic logs look real when it gets hot.

About $100 on sale.

We run it on a hose from the 80 pound tank in the MH.

Puts out heat, and you can cook on it if you want to, hot dogs, marsh mallows, etc.

No waiting for it to cool down when it's turned off.

There is a small grill available as an accessory. About $20

[CaptnJohn]

I have a "Little Red Campfire".





I have "Little Red Campfire".

[SLU2]

We have the same propane fire ring from Lowes. https://www.lowes.com/pd/Bond-18-5-i...e-Pit/50037272
It works like a champ when its too hot for a real fire but lacks on cold nights! We still love it and shift fires accordingly. Not for nights below 50 degrees but great on 60+ nights.

[Funengineer]

This has been a very informative thread. I appreciate everyone’s involvement.

Since it has been brought up, where do you store your portable propane grill and extra tank if you use one?

I intend to store my pit and extra tank in my pickup bed when traveling. I have a fiberglass camper shell.

[retiree]

I keep mine in the box it came in in the bed of my truck. I also have a cap on the truck so I can keep it locked. The extra 10 foot hose also stays in there with it.

[Martsing]

Lil Red Campfire here. I still LOVE a wood fire but my wife gets tired of dodging smoke after a short period of time so the propane is a great way to keep her around the fire!!

Marty

[D W]

We have the Heartland model from COSTCO for $99. I'd be willing to bet that they've sold at least a million of those things. Works great. Modified it to run off the low pressure side of the TT with QD and hose. We also use it at home connected natural gas on the patio. Transport it in the back of the TV. Anyone familiar with MT, ID, OR, WA, BC, YT and AK knows about the summer wildfires and the "burn bans" that are imposed. No campfires, no charcoal BBQ, etc. Most of the time these contained propane fire pits are all that is allowed. This past summer's wildfires in Alaska have been devastating. Most of the fires are caused by lightning strikes, up to 10,000 in a given day. There are many accounts this past summer of campers having to evacuate Denali and various State Parks while the trees were consumed by fire around them. Some were just lucky enough to save their TV, but had to leave their RV behind.

I can live without a wood campfire.