DIY Propane Firepit

frans

Adventurer
After reading this post I made my own.
shorter and the steel seems to be a thicker metal. The ammo box has little bulgy corners which were perfect to making leg holes. Inside the corners I welded short sections of 3/4” pipe. Then drilled corner holes in the bottom of the ammo can. Took 4 sections of black pipe and made legs that slip inside the 3/4” pipes. Viola! Removable legs that store inside the ammo box
I used black pipe. I welded in the center sections then drilled little burner holes.
Bent and filled in expanded metal grating over the burner, piled lava rock on top of that, then fitted in another expanded metal section to sandwich in the lave rock.
this keeps the rock from tumbling around as well as provided a grill. I probably WILL NOT grill food on it, mainly a campfire and perhaps boil water for tea or whatever.
I will let the box cook off that nasty military paint before using it for anything else.
The next task is to try and get the regulated and hose to fit inside.
I am still trying to figure that out.
It works really well!
thank you OP for the great idea!
 

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frans

Adventurer
View inside of inner grate and burner
 

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frans

Adventurer
Nice job!
lone of the reasons why I like the ammo can idea is because the rectangle shape is easy to pack. Also the lid is very secure and will. It allow itself to come loose even after hours of tumbling around on rocky roads.
 

frans

Adventurer
Great question!
sometimes I like to turn it up and have a big fire, when everyone is eating or telling lies lol. then as the evening gets late and we are just sitting peacefully I sometimes turn it way down to get a comfortable lazy fire before turning in for the night. Oddly enough, the low fire puts out a lot of heat and light to navigate around even with a few beers under our belts!
So, it really depends on the usage.
I use a 5 gallon ‘pancake’ tank. Simply because it seems more stable.
that tank has lasted me for 3-4 nights of enjoyment.
hope this answers your question
 

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tall

New member
Depends on how high you turn the flame.....duh
?

But a couple hours on a moderate setting.

Great question!
sometimes I like to turn it up and have a big fire, when everyone is eating or telling lies lol. then as the evening gets late and we are just sitting peacefully I sometimes turn it way down to get a comfortable lazy fire before turning in for the night. Oddly enough, the low fire puts out a lot of heat and light to navigate around even with a few beers under our belts!
So, it really depends on the usage.
I use a 5 gallon ‘pancake’ tank. Simply because it seems more stable.
that tank has lasted me for 3-4 nights of enjoyment.
hope this answers your question

Perfect. I was planning to make one for the end of summer but sheesh, even these are banned some places here right now. I guess I have my winter project. I'll probably run it off 1# bottles most of the time, but it'd be nice to have multiple days on one larger bottle for extended trips. Thanks for your creativity, folks!
 

krick3tt

Adventurer
I think making things is a great idea but the information that Campfire in a can is not available is not true.
They may be a bit expensive for some but carrying wood and being in areas that have a fire ban make it affordable for me. I have not had issues with them being prohibited at Nat parks or anywhere for that matter. I have had positive comments from rangers for my use of mine.
 

java

Expedition Leader
I think making things is a great idea but the information that Campfire in a can is not available is not true.
They may be a bit expensive for some but carrying wood and being in areas that have a fire ban make it affordable for me. I have not had issues with them being prohibited at Nat parks or anywhere for that matter. I have had positive comments from rangers for my use of mine.
Campfire in a can is just too large for me. Small and self Contained is what I wanted. I used mine all weekend

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk
 

Pathfinder7

Member
Looks like someone capitalized on the idea: https://fireanytime.com/

Seems pretty pricey at $195 for something that can be simply made. Big ass one in 40 mike-mike is only $330. Ouch…

Off to the surplus store to grab another .50 cal can.
 
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frans

Adventurer
I have been using my home made one for a long time now. In our area natural campfires are not safe.
the only complaint I have is it is like watching a fire on t.v. Not a real fire with the smell and cracklings and 19119CB9-732B-4805-B9E4-1D769DBE5CE8.jpeg smoke that a real fire produces…
I love it personally
 

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