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Portable propane fire pits?

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#24 ·
Those look great Bob! I haven't noticed it bothering me when just sitting around it, but I did repurpose a small bag to put the parts in since I was storing them inside, just so my hands didn't get so dirty putting it together. Might not even be an issue if you don't want to store the parts inside the box.

After seeing Bob's post I got really curious on how the inside of the Lavabox (volcanno) was put together and if they used a mixer on the "commercial" version. It doesn't appear they do, I found this on FB where he shows the inside. scoot up to about 4 and half minutes, he uses the pipe too and I don't see a mixer, nothing too special.



His regulator looks like the amazon versions too.
 
#31 ·
Any thoughts about adjustable regulator hose length. The retail companies seem to use a shorter hose (4.5'?) to enable storing the hose in the box. I'd like a short one but I'm bit nervous about having the tank so close the flame. What about 6 or 8'? Does this impact efficiency?
 
#32 ·
I wouldn't be nervous about a shorter hose. I have a 3 burner heater that literally attaches to the top of the tank. Just make the hoses nice and snug with your hands and you'll be fine. They seal with rubber O-rings so its possible to actually overtighten them, which distorts the ring and creates a leak. Don't use a wrench. I don't think a longer hose is "less efficient" but thats just a hunch.
 
#33 ·
We got a little campfire for RV camping during fire bans. We were camped in Glacier National Park and a young LE did a drive by saw the fire slammed the breaks jumped out of his vehicle and entered our camp site. The expression on his face when he realized he wasn’t going to be able to write a ticket was priceless.
Took it on a Grand trip a couple of years ago. Set it up at Badger the first night. I went to sleep. Woke up about 2 in the morning and the 2 young dudes on or trip were passed out and the fire was still blazing. The look on my face must have been priceless as they had used up a lot of the propane we had planned to use for it.
 
#36 ·
robc said:
Any thoughts about adjustable regulator hose length. The retail companies seem to use a shorter hose (4.5'?) to enable storing the hose in the box. I'd like a short one but I'm bit nervous about having the tank so close the flame. What about 6 or 8'? Does this impact efficiency?
Click to expand...
Mine is 5' which seems like plenty but I'm sure longer is totally fine. One the one I built anyway after awhile the inside is just too built up with soot, storing the line, wrench, lighter inside seemed like a great idea, but everything just got too dirty after awhile. Nicer to not keep it in there.
 
#37 ·
BenSlaughter said:
NRS firepan. Hardware store pipe, fittings, hose and regulator. Air mixer fitting and cheap ceramic logs from Bezos. Works remarkably well. Got a different air mixer, in hopes of reducing the soot but I haven't installed it, yet.
Click to expand...
nice work @BenSlaughter (y)
i like your idea using a firepan to hold the bits and pieces. any chance you have a detailed photo or two of your contraption?
 
#38 ·
sonofdad said:
nice work @BenSlaughter (y)
i like your idea using a firepan to hold the bits and pieces. any chance you have a detailed photo or two of your contraption?
Click to expand...
Image
Image


All 1\2" pipe. 12" for the first leg, 2" at the 'U' 8" for the return. I'd probably do more like 14" or 16" for the first, and maybe 10" for the return. But it works well, and packs pretty well the way it is.
90k BTU air mixer. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B08QYMXM28?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
High pressure regulator.

Mr. Heater 1/4 in. D Brass High Pressure Regulator Mfr# F273719 - Ace Hardware

Propane High Pressure Regulator is most commonly used on torches, fish cookers, smokers or other high pressure appliances.Find the REGULATR HIGH PR 0-20PSI at Ace.
www.acehardware.com www.acehardware.com

I drilled 16- 7\32" holes. Not sure if more\bigger holes would reduce the soot, may experiment with that this winter...

I take it apart at the union. It, the hose and regulator go in the drybox. The burner and logs get double bagged in garbage bags and just go in the gear pile in back.
 

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#39 ·
BenSlaughter said:
All 1\2" pipe. 12" for the first leg, 2" at the 'U' 8" for the return. I'd probably do more like 14" or 16" for the first, and maybe 10" for the return. But it works well, and packs pretty well the way it is.
90k BTU air mixer. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B08QYMXM28?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
Click to expand...
I think your mixer is the key in reducing soot. Might need more air there.

At the burner, I don't think the hole size has anything to do with soot, but will impact flame spread/length/velocity.
 
#40 ·
MT4Runner said:
I think your mixer is the key in reducing soot. Might need more air there.

At the burner, I don't think the hole size has anything to do with soot, but will impact flame spread/length/velocity.
Click to expand...
Initial observation shows the 90k mixer produces less smoke than my original 150k mixer, which is the only reason I think perhaps more burner flow would create a better burn.
But this is all WAY out of my wheelhouse.
 
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hysideguy67
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