I want to purchase a propane fire pit, but I am having a hard time choosing between the Little Red Campfire and the Camp Chef® Propane Fire Ring. It looks like to me that the Camp chef puts out more heat but the Little red campfire looks like it is a little easier to pack up (although it might take up a little more space?). Anybody used both of these and can comment on the heat level and storage of the units
Which propane camping fire
- Thread starter JDaPP
- Start date
mhiscox
Expedition Leader
I'm thinking that it's going to have a lot to do with the form factor you prefer to store. The Camp Chef is wide and short and has a soft cover, the Little Red Campfire is narrower but taller and with a hard metal cover. And there's a difference in the pricing. But both seem to have about the same output.
After looking around, I bought the Campfire in a Can, which is bigger and more expensive, but it sure does a credible job of being the sit-around-the campfire without any of the hassles of wood. It's good to be a traditionalist sometimes, but between frequent open fire restrictions, bans on collecting even downed wood, invasive species problems and the sometimes shocking cost of a small bundle of local wood, the ability to have a warm, smokeless fire going in thirty seconds is pretty compelling.
After looking around, I bought the Campfire in a Can, which is bigger and more expensive, but it sure does a credible job of being the sit-around-the campfire without any of the hassles of wood. It's good to be a traditionalist sometimes, but between frequent open fire restrictions, bans on collecting even downed wood, invasive species problems and the sometimes shocking cost of a small bundle of local wood, the ability to have a warm, smokeless fire going in thirty seconds is pretty compelling.
STREGA
Explorer
I have used the campchef a few times and it is a decent unit, especially if you consider the price. The shut off valve is a little weak IMO. I bought my first portable campfire about 10 years ago, it had a aluminum pan with legs that folded up and was made in Utah but haven't seen another one like it in awhile,so I don't know if the company is still around or not.
I replaced it last year with a Campfire in a can which is the nicest one I have seen/used. I really like the way it stores with a lid that snaps to the base, which protects the hose/regulator very well. The lid also acts as a base which raises the fire up higher off the ground than the other units I have used. It also has the best shut off valve and is just better made overall than the others I have used. The down side is the cost of course, but the wife loves it and I was able to justify the cost.
Don't have any experience with the little red unit.
I replaced it last year with a Campfire in a can which is the nicest one I have seen/used. I really like the way it stores with a lid that snaps to the base, which protects the hose/regulator very well. The lid also acts as a base which raises the fire up higher off the ground than the other units I have used. It also has the best shut off valve and is just better made overall than the others I have used. The down side is the cost of course, but the wife loves it and I was able to justify the cost.
Don't have any experience with the little red unit.
1leglance
2007 Expedition Trophy Champion, Overland Certifie
I own and really like the Fire Dancer model.
Here in the desert southwest there are so many times & places where a wood fire is not allowed that my Fire Dancer has really proved it's worth. Also it is quick and easy to have a morning fire then packup and go vs a wood fire.
The only issues I have had were bits of the granules getting in the gas inlet. This was solved with some alum window screen material from Ace hardware. Works great now.
It runs less than a pound an hour of propane so a 20lb BBQ grill size tank last me a week with cooking and fire pit use.
Here in the desert southwest there are so many times & places where a wood fire is not allowed that my Fire Dancer has really proved it's worth. Also it is quick and easy to have a morning fire then packup and go vs a wood fire.
The only issues I have had were bits of the granules getting in the gas inlet. This was solved with some alum window screen material from Ace hardware. Works great now.
It runs less than a pound an hour of propane so a 20lb BBQ grill size tank last me a week with cooking and fire pit use.
Do either the camp chef or the campfire in a can provide anymore heat than other one from what you could tell?
STREGA
Explorer
Both the campchef and the first one I had had short folding legs so they were close to the ground which puts more of the heat between your ankles and knees. The campfire in a can sits up higher when put on its lid so the heat is closer to your torso and does have a slightly taller flame also. All three used about the same amount of propane, usually a 20lb tank last a weekend my wife likes to run it alot.
As Rockin DC mentioned there are a lot of good reason to use a portable campfire, couple others for me is when its time to hit the sack you just shut the valve off and no worrying about blowing embers starting a wildfire. The other thing is gathering firewood in a desert is a bad idea, there is a limited amount and the living vegetation depends on it for survival.
UNI
Adventurer
I also recommend the Camp Fire In A Can. We had the Little Red Campfire and its a good product, but the Camp Fire In A Can has more features. As "Strega" posted, the way Camp Fire In A Can's storage lid is designed, you can set the campfire unit on top of the storage lid, this gives you additional height. Also, the one piece fire log set, the 10ft. propane hose and the cooking rack, all features that sold us on the Camp Fire In A Can product.
Here is a comparison chart that might help you make up your mind. Hope this helps!
UNI
Here is a comparison chart that might help you make up your mind. Hope this helps!
UNI
ab1985
Explorer
I'm interested in a propane fire, but when I've looked at them before I was skeptical. I like a big roaring fire, but I don't like carrying wood to my campsite or trying to find it when I get there. I don't have much space and those $7 bags at the gas station add up quickly.
The Campfire in a Can looks awesome. It's a bit pricey, but seems like it has several advantages over other models. One more thing to add to the list.:drool:
The Campfire in a Can looks awesome. It's a bit pricey, but seems like it has several advantages over other models. One more thing to add to the list.:drool:
UNI
Adventurer
I carry two propane tanks, (1) 10lb. & (1) 20lb. tank. I use the 10 lb. for the stove & the Zodi Extreme shower burner. The 20lb. tank we use for the Campfire in a Can. The way I figure, the amount of space the 20lb.tank & the campfire in a can takes, is equal to two of those $7.00 bundles of wood. We average four days of campfire out of that tank and we burn the campfire at night and in the morning. The two $7.00 bundles of wood equal to maybe, one evening of campfire for the same amount of storage/haul space?
Nothing better than sitting around that campfire sipping coffee in the morning :coffeedrink: No muss ... No Fuss... Flip On That Switch "Its Campfire Time"
UNI
Nothing better than sitting around that campfire sipping coffee in the morning :coffeedrink: No muss ... No Fuss... Flip On That Switch "Its Campfire Time"
UNI
UNI
Adventurer
Corey,
I have not run across any place, that does not allow the propane campfire here in the Midwest. Even Ft. Desoto Beach in Florida allows the campfire in a Can and they do not want any ground fires on the beach or campground (All campfires need to be elevated off the ground). It might be different in the western states.
UNI
STREGA
Explorer
What really sold me on the "portable campfire" was about 10 years ago while doing the White Rim, park service does not allow a traditional campfire in the backcountry but does allow propane campfires which made a great trip into the perfect trip. I haven't been to a place that doesn't allow propane campfires in the south west yet, in fact land managers like propane over wood campfires I have found.
It is also very easy to exchange 20lb tanks almost everywhere now, finding $7.00 bundles of wood that will actually burn is not always easy. Like Uni I carry a small tank for the stove and a 20lb for the campfire, no muss no fuss, don't smell like stale smoke which is nice for extended trips.