Best small propane firepit?

[Outdoordog]

Ah that's cool. I don't know why, I prefer the 1 lb bottles.
My stove and lantern runs off of them, so it is convenient.

 

[OTH Overland]

Ah that's cool. I don't know why, I prefer the 1 lb bottles.
My stove and lantern runs off of them, so it is convenient.

I like the convenience of the 1lb bottles, but not the cost. We do not have much room in the Jeep so we settled on the 5lb bottle, seems to be the perfect size for most trips, we use it for the firecan and our cook stove. Its cheap to refill and we have a fitted storage case for it so we don't hear the ticking of the float while driving. We do have a 1lb bottle tucked away as a backup if I get carried away with the fire pit and empty the 5lb tank so we can still cook breakfast lol... We did get a digital propane scale that provides exact percentage of remaining propane for 5lb through 40lb tanks as I have found it hard to gauge remaining propane otherwise and can budget how much fire pit time we have during a trip.

 

[Outdoordog]

I like the convenience of the 1lb bottles, but not the cost. We do not have much room in the Jeep so we settled on the 5lb bottle, seems to be the perfect size for most trips, we use it for the firecan and our cook stove. Its cheap to refill and we have a fitted storage case for it so we don't hear the ticking of the float while driving. We do have a 1lb bottle tucked away as a backup if I get carried away with the fire pit and empty the 5lb tank so we can still cook breakfast lol... We did get a digital propane scale that provides exact percentage of remaining propane for 5lb through 40lb tanks as I have found it hard to gauge remaining propane otherwise and can budget how much fire pit time we have during a trip. View attachment 269534

Eventually I'll get a mount and put a 5lb tank on my rack. At Walmart, they sell two 1lb propane for 8 bucks, so I got a bunch and keep em in my basement. I use about half a bottle to full 1lb bottle for 2 nights of camping.
I bring at least 3 bottles, in a Plano case on my roofrack with my other kitchen gear.

 

[Roofus]

Sorry to necro this post, but just curious if anyone has had trouble with any of these ammo box fire pits regulators freezing up?

We were up in VT camping last weekend and it was about 45-50F at night with a decent amount of humidity that was creating ground frost. I've got a LavaBox and had it hooked up to an Ignik 5lb tank and my regulator kept freezing up and killing the fire. One of the locals suggested it was because my tank was too small.

I don't want to carry around a 20lb tank, so if the 5lb tank is the problem I might just switch back to a traditional fire pit, because I don't want to get caught in the cold again with a weak fire.

Thanks for any feedback!

 

[m_lars]

Sorry to necro this post, but just curious if anyone has had trouble with any of these ammo box fire pits regulators freezing up?

We were up in VT camping last weekend and it was about 45-50F at night with a decent amount of humidity that was creating ground frost. I've got a LavaBox and had it hooked up to an Ignik 5lb tank and my regulator kept freezing up and killing the fire. One of the locals suggested it was because my tank was too small.

I don't want to carry around a 20lb tank, so if the 5lb tank is the problem I might just switch back to a traditional fire pit, because I don't want to get caught in the cold again with a weak fire.

Thanks for any feedback!

Your tank is too small, it can’t evaporate into gas fast enough with the low volume tank and low temperature. Use a 20 gallon or bring a second heater to heat your 5 gallon tank! You may need a third heater to heat that tank, so maybe just go with a 20 gallon tank.

 

[Roofus]

Your tank is too small, it can’t evaporate into gas fast enough with the low volume tank and low temperature. Use a 20 gallon or bring a second heater to heat your 5 gallon tank! You may need a third heater to heat that tank, so maybe just go with a 20 gallon tank.

Fair enough. It seems like every time I solve a camping problem it results in two more problems. lol
Maybe I should just go back to wood and a solo stove.

 

[m_lars]

Your tank is too small, it can’t evaporate into gas fast enough with the low volume tank and low temperature. Use a 20 gallon or bring a second heater to heat your 5 gallon tank! You may need a third heater to heat that tank, so maybe just go with a 20 gallon tank.

Fair enough. It seems like every time I solve a camping problem it results in two more problems. lol
Maybe I should just go back to wood and a solo stove.

Yeah, I hear ya. I always had a 20lb cylinder because my camp chef puts out so many BTUs. It easily fit it on the front of my camp trailer, but now that that’s gone I will need to find a new place. FYI, a proper milk crate makes a great mount for a 20lb cylinder.

 

[Roofus]

My wife got me a Tacticool for Christmas, also with the green can adaptor. Here is me using it for the first time.

How is this working in snow and my 5lb is freezing the regulator? lol

 

[PapaDave]

The size of the tank is part of it but what you need is an adjustable regulator. Is one that comes with a lava tank adjustable? Mine will go 5 to 20 psi and always works with my 5lb

 

[antwon412]

I have the Lavabox “naked” version. Quite happy with it

 

[Roofus]

The size of the tank is part of it but what you need is an adjustable regulator. Is one that comes with a lava tank adjustable? Mine will go 5 to 20 psi and always works with my 5lb

I don't believe so. I didn't see a screw adjustment when we were out. Certainly could try a better regulator before I give up on it. Thanks for reminding me of this!

 

[antwon412]

20lb tanks, while large are handy because you can easily swap out for a full one when on a trip at gas stations, Walmarts, etc..

 

[Roofus]

20lb tanks, while large are handy because you can easily swap out for a full one when on a trip at gas stations, Walmarts, etc..

It's a space issue. I'm not trying to be difficult. My 5lb is mounted on the rollcage up and out of the way.

 

[Tundracamper]

Yeah, I had to use 5 lb tanks to get tha ammo can to work worth a flip, and even then soot was a major problem. That’s why I returned it.

What's your campfire in fire season or no campfire areas?

We really like our Outland Bowl, quick and easy! How is the quality? I noticed the Outland Bowl is bigger than both the Red campfires and $50 cheaper than the Little Red Campfire and $76 cheaper than the Big Red Campfire. Quality is excellent in the camco product other than the jenky...

www.overlandbound.com

I moved to the Camp Chef and it seems to work fine with 5 lb tanks. Starting to think it’s just too much to carry to have a fire, though. May just move back to wood, where available.