Help Portable firepit?

Dennis Olson

Dennis Olson

Chief Curmudgeon
_______________
Okay, so I've been thinking. (I know, always a bad sign - heh) When I get "on the road", I want to have something that I can build a fire in, so it's not just on the ground. Yet, it needs to be able to fit in the storage compartments under the floor, and be relatively inexpensive. So I welcome any and all suggestions and links.

Thanks!
 
Volleyball Granny

Volleyball Granny

Inactive
Dennis...I have one of these someplace in the garage. It's nice to have around--the fuel is 'free.' When you're finished with it, just let it cool down and put it back in its box. This one is listed on ebay for about $60, but there are less expensive ones.

Mine is round, like this one. The less expensive ones are square. I'm sure the both work.

Here's the link to the one in the picture: http://cgi.ebay.com/Safari-Qwik-Coo...tem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27b196eadb.

They really do work...mine was a hand-me-down. I was really surprised that you could actually cook meat using just the newspaper.

I don't see why you couldn't put a couple of pieces of kindling in there and use it like a fire-pit...
 

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Old Gray Mare

TB Fanatic
Remenber the old cast iron hibachi? It could serve the same purpose. It would probably be heavier but also might take up less space.
 
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hammerhead

Veteran Member
Dunno your storage space or size of fire requirements, but WalMart's cheap firepits work just fine.

Fro some situations, the iron portion of a dismantled propane BBQ grill -- available for free all the time on "freecycle" type lists -- works well. Build a fire in the bottom: it's protected from the wind, holds heat well, and comes with a grill to cook on.
 
nomifyle

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
This is probably not what you want but; I've been thinking of making a fire pit with cinder blocks, the grill I have would fit right on top of it. It could be portable, just wait until its cold, brush the soot off of the blocks, and stick them in a box to keep from getting any thing else sootie. Its certainly cheap enough.

Judy

ETA I sure like the looks of the qwik cook grill.
 
Freeholder

Freeholder

This too shall pass.
Dennis, if you are looking for something to cook on and heat water, check out portable rocket stoves. They are pretty fuel efficient, and don't give off as much smoke as some other types, so are slightly less obvious. They can be made in various sizes so you could make one to fit your space; you could also have a regular fire-pit for when you want to have a fire to look at and stealth isn't important. For that matter, add a couple of solar cookers, too. Backups for your backups.

Kathleen
 
Dennis Olson

Dennis Olson

Chief Curmudgeon
_______________
Not to cook per se, although that would certainly be a consideration. There are lots of places where an "open" fire wouldn't be wise due to fire danger. It would be nice to have a way to have that open fire without the danger of "runaway".
 
F

FREEBIRD

Has No Life - Lives on TB
"Hibachis haven't been cast iron for YEARS. They're cheap stamped potmetal now..."

Lodge makes a cast-iron hibachi called the "Sportsmen's Grill"; drawback is they're about $90 new; if I can find one cheaper I want one.
Being cast-iron they weigh a bit but they should hold up well if you take care of them.
 
N

Nuthatch

Membership Revoked
There are tons of cast-iron grills, you just need to learn how to shop around.

Amazon has a a portable grill-not cast iron--called the Hotspot Notebook Portable Grill, about $46 and free shipping. Folds up to one inch thick for storage.

Then there is a beautiful earthenware portable grill---$18. But breakable.


The rebel campfire grill is $39 which is a basically a stick in the ground with a plate to put coals on and a grill surface above.

And in the Lodge price range: NapaStyle Enamel Cast Iron 9-Inch by 15-Inch Hibachi Terra Cotta with Black Interior and Grate for $109 at Amazon, where there are another handful of cast iron grills.
 
R

RoadRunner

Veteran Member
Just find you a 30gallon or 55 grease/oil drum.Cut the top off then slice it at whatever size ( highth wise ) you would need to fit the compartment. Last forever and you can just throw a grill on top for cooking if desired.
 
Freeholder

Freeholder

This too shall pass.
Actually, the bottom of a 55-gallon drum is a good idea -- just get someone to weld three legs on it so it sits a few inches off the ground. Drill some small holes around the lower edge of it, too, for better draft.

Kathleen
 
Straycat

Straycat

Veteran Member
DH made an off-the-ground firepit out of the cylinder of an old dryer. Welded on some legs and there ya go. Not foldable, though.
 
bbbuddy

bbbuddy

DEPLORABLE ME
Old thread, but out west many use the inside enameled drum of a washing machine. We do. The little holes makes a very pretty sight at night! Looks like dancing fireflies.

Some call them "Glamis fire pits" after a popular SoCal desert destination.

We have several sizes. A drum from a small washing machine is perfect for camping, and we put collapsible legs on it. Think small pipe inside bigger pipe, with wingnut to tighten in place when out.

Legs aren't necessary, but nice. I used to have a small dog that would LAY UNDER the "fire machine" (as we call it) during a fire, it never gets hot underneath with legs.

Some people go to the trouble to cut out the middle metal stack, but we don't bother, there is plenty of room for the wood.
Easy to lay a grate on top to grill too.

Oh and they take a huge amount of abuse.
Ours are at least 20 years old and going strong.

Just find a dump that will let you take apart a washing machine. Our old dump used to let us, but we did so many ( for ourselves and friends) that they asked us why, then started taking them apart themselves and CHARGING for the drums...

Also there are always people trying to get rid of non working washers.
Advertise for one on craigslist, that way you can specify a small sized one.

When traveling with one, it becomes the container for your fire making materials, newspaper, wood, etc. so it doesn't really take up space. If you plan to scrounge wood, then it can hold your camping saw, hatchet etc.
 
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