Propane or Charcoal

My buddy that does a lot of beach camping went to an appliance repair place and got an old washing machine tub. It makes a great fire pit.

NYCgrrl wrote:
....
It amazes me the variances in basic camp site equipment from park to park and state to state. Every year I take some children out for a 2 week camping trip at the same park. That camp has no built in fire pits; you rent them or bring your own. Also no park grills but they do have a really well thought out in ground concrete lined ash dump site in every loop. I wonder sometimes who did the park's design, LOL.

State park near me does not have built in grills and also requires "raised" campfires - either rent a tub from them or bring your own. Positives are that there isn't a messy campfire spot on the campsite, and you setup your camper however you want (HUGE campsites). The state park also has the big concrete "ash dumpsters" for people to dump charcoal and/or hot ash into.

Even with these restrictions on burning, every year, multiple times a month, there is a dumpster fire at the park - because someone dumps hot coals into the dumpster when they are getting ready to leave. More than once, this has happened to a dumpster right next to one of the concrete "ash dumpsters". So there are reasons for all the rules.

NYCgrrl wrote:

Want to share your non grass burning DO setup? I'm not proud to say I made a total mess near my firepit last year.

Sure. I've mentioned it before, but I'll do it again for those who weren't on here then.
It's made from 2 metal oil change pans. These can sometimes be hard to find today, but they are still around.
The first step is to rub them down with some vinegar so that paint will stick to them. I then painted them with flat black grill paint from a rattle can.
I drilled a hole, 1/4", not critical, through the center of both at the same time so that they will align. This is to keep the two pans from separating while cooking. I use a 1/4" bolt and a wing nut, but dropping a bolt through would probably be sufficient.
I then drilled holes using a versi bit, this is a bit that is stepped to drill different size holes and they work real well in sheet metal. I drilled the holes around the sides, about 1" up from the bottom. These holes are about 2-3" apart around the sides. This is critical in order to use the pans on something like grass. The heat from the upper pan with coals in it is reluctant to fall and what does is easily vented by these holes.
To use put the 2 pans, put together, bottom to bottom, secure and put the coals and the DO in the top.
To store just reverse and nest them.

joedekock wrote:
Its interesting that folks mention wood as a fuel for cooking! I think I will look into a firepit grate. I could use that for wood or charcoal while having the portable propane grill in the trailer for backup.

Exactly what I was going to suggest. Wood fire is absolutely the best for grilling your food bare, that is, not in foil or a frypan. Nothing else is like that smokey flavor. Charcoal is nice to have along as well, as a fuel for the camp Dutch oven, or to use as a base under your wood fire to make sure you don't run out of heat before the food is done. Then if you have a gas grill for backup in case of poor weather or just in a hurry, you should be golden.

SWMO wrote:
I think I can understand why NYCgrrl, I've seen to many pits used as garbage incinerators, poorly of course. And the grills are often built in such away that a small shovel or scoop is needed to clean them. Most people seem content to let the next guy worry about.
I learned decades ago to not expect anything in that way when going somewhere new.
I even have a setup for DO's that I can use on grass without burning it.

Sadly, that makes sense and I never thought anyone would do such a silly and lazy thing. Of course I never thought I'd have to remind a grown person to flush the toilet at the comfort station either but I err digress.....:R


Want to share your non grass burning DO setup? I'm not proud to say I made a total mess near my firepit last year.

wbwood wrote:

RayUSMC wrote:

wbwood wrote:
As someone mentioned, we use our grill for all our outdoor cooking. Matter of fact, we use the inside stove as little as possible. Our roadtrip has a griddle and a coil to put pans on over a burner. And it surely doesn't take 15 minutes to heat up the gas grill.

One of the problems about camping with charcoal grills is the ashes. A gas grill I can turn off. A charcoal grill you have to let the coals burn out. Takes longer for it to cool off also. Then you got to deal with the dirty grill. I've just recently saw a campground with an actual ash can. I guess if they have a fire ring that you can dump the ashes in it.

We throw our coals in the firepit which nearly every campsite has. After ten minutes the grill's easily wiped clean with a damp paper towel.

I've never seen anyone wipe out a charcoal grill after every use....dump the coals yes...but wipe it down every time....no.

I'm guessing Ray was talking about wiping out the grill before stowing it to hit the road.

I think I can understand why NYCgrrl, I've seen to many pits used as garbage incinerators, poorly of course. And the grills are often built in such away that a small shovel or scoop is needed to clean them. Most people seem content to let the next guy worry about.
I learned decades ago to not expect anything in that way when going somewhere new.
I even have a setup for DO's that I can use on grass without burning it.

wbwood wrote:
As someone mentioned, we use our grill for all our outdoor cooking. Matter of fact, we use the inside stove as little as possible. Our roadtrip has a griddle and a coil to put pans on over a burner. And it surely doesn't take 15 minutes to heat up the gas grill.

One of the problems about camping with charcoal grills is the ashes. A gas grill I can turn off. A charcoal grill you have to let the coals burn out. Takes longer for it to cool off also. Then you got to deal with the dirty grill. I've just recently saw a campground with an actual ash can. I guess if they have a fire ring that you can dump the ashes in it.

It amazes me the variances in basic camp site equipment from park to park and state to state. Every year I take some children out for a 2 week camping trip at the same park. That camp has no built in fire pits; you rent them or bring your own. Also no park grills but they do have a really well thought out in ground concrete lined ash dump site in every loop. I wonder sometimes who did the park's design, LOL.

RayUSMC wrote:

wbwood wrote:
As someone mentioned, we use our grill for all our outdoor cooking. Matter of fact, we use the inside stove as little as possible. Our roadtrip has a griddle and a coil to put pans on over a burner. And it surely doesn't take 15 minutes to heat up the gas grill.

One of the problems about camping with charcoal grills is the ashes. A gas grill I can turn off. A charcoal grill you have to let the coals burn out. Takes longer for it to cool off also. Then you got to deal with the dirty grill. I've just recently saw a campground with an actual ash can. I guess if they have a fire ring that you can dump the ashes in it.

We throw our coals in the firepit which nearly every campsite has. After ten minutes the grill's easily wiped clean with a damp paper towel.

I've never seen anyone wipe out a charcoal grill after every use....dump the coals yes...but wipe it down every time....no.

joedekock wrote:
Need a new travel grill for the trailer....

So... propane or charcoal? And why?

So the answer is.... whatever you want!

And this has been a remarkably civil thread. I wonder what would happen with a thread like this if Ford and Chevy made grills, for use in a Walmart parking lot?

(sorry, couldn't resist! ;) )