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Expedition Leader
I was looking at propane fire pits, but they were all huge! I have a 4runner and with kids and dogs its packed to the gills already. I wanted one with a lid to keep the lava rock in. Then I had a brain wave one night while thinking about it. A 50cal ammo can! I had made a wood stove before so I figured it would hold up to the heat well.
First up is to make the burner, I used 3/8" soft copper tubing, just kinda bent into a shape to fit inside a 50 cal ammo can.
Drill a hole for the propane to burner connection where it makes for your burner shape.
I used a large washer to reinforce the area around the hole. The connection is made with a 3/8 flare by 1/2" female NPT adapter on the outside. A 3/8 crush olive fitting by 1/2" male for the copper pipe connection on the inside. The washer also help space out the thickness so when you tighten the two halves they are tight to the ammo can wall also.
Drill holes in burner. I used a 7/64 drill bit. I skipped a few holes, and did a test fire, decided I wanted them all. Went back and drilled them. You can see the burner side of the gas connection here too.
Test the hole pattern, you can add more as needed to get even ish flames. Lava rocks will be added that help spread it out a bit too.
I used a piece of expanded metal to do two things, one to support the burner and two to keep it from just being a full can of lava rock.... I cut and bent it to sit just under the burner.
Fit in the can, I had to cut a bit of a notch for the burner connection.
Burner in place with the expanded metal.
Testing again, with more holes this time. This was just with a standard low pressure regulator I had on hand. A 0-20 psi with a long hose was ordered.
With the lava rock in place this time. Also with the new regulator. Just above minimum pressure. Nice little fire. The rock definitely helps spread the heat, but the sides of the box still kind of direct it straight up. I set the burner so low because I wanted to get the regulator and hose inside it for transport.
About half way up on gas pressure, it can get big!
And the hose regulator fits inside! its a little sooty in there though.
All packed up. I use it with a little 5lb bottle.
Hope you liked it! Maybe someone else can make one too if they feel so inclined. Used it for a few hours this weekend, it works well, not a ton of heat, but still nice to sit around.
First up is to make the burner, I used 3/8" soft copper tubing, just kinda bent into a shape to fit inside a 50 cal ammo can.
Drill a hole for the propane to burner connection where it makes for your burner shape.
I used a large washer to reinforce the area around the hole. The connection is made with a 3/8 flare by 1/2" female NPT adapter on the outside. A 3/8 crush olive fitting by 1/2" male for the copper pipe connection on the inside. The washer also help space out the thickness so when you tighten the two halves they are tight to the ammo can wall also.
Drill holes in burner. I used a 7/64 drill bit. I skipped a few holes, and did a test fire, decided I wanted them all. Went back and drilled them. You can see the burner side of the gas connection here too.
Test the hole pattern, you can add more as needed to get even ish flames. Lava rocks will be added that help spread it out a bit too.
I used a piece of expanded metal to do two things, one to support the burner and two to keep it from just being a full can of lava rock.... I cut and bent it to sit just under the burner.
Fit in the can, I had to cut a bit of a notch for the burner connection.
Burner in place with the expanded metal.
Testing again, with more holes this time. This was just with a standard low pressure regulator I had on hand. A 0-20 psi with a long hose was ordered.
With the lava rock in place this time. Also with the new regulator. Just above minimum pressure. Nice little fire. The rock definitely helps spread the heat, but the sides of the box still kind of direct it straight up. I set the burner so low because I wanted to get the regulator and hose inside it for transport.
About half way up on gas pressure, it can get big!
And the hose regulator fits inside! its a little sooty in there though.
All packed up. I use it with a little 5lb bottle.
Hope you liked it! Maybe someone else can make one too if they feel so inclined. Used it for a few hours this weekend, it works well, not a ton of heat, but still nice to sit around.
