I like the heat and ambiance of a good wood fire when camping. But after more than 35 years of camping I'm finding that I'm starting to not enjoy constantly moving around the fire pit to stay out of the smoke. So I've been considering a propane fire pit, but I'm concerned about the heat output.What are your thoughts? Do the propane pits put out a decent amount of heat compared to a modest wood fire?

We have a propane fire table at home. While the flames give a nice ambience to the patio, they are a waste of Propane!

Does a fire give off heat: YES does not matter if propane or wood.HOW MUCH.. Well that matters more on the size of the fire than the fuel.

We have a camp chef portable fire pit. The flame is adjustable and yes it puts out a lot of heat. Fire is fire. On high it does consume a lot of propane. We love ours, easy to set up, easy to light easy to put out and can be used in conditions that a natural fire can't - like wind.

opnspaces wrote:I like the heat and ambiance of a good wood fire when camping. But after more than 35 years of camping I'm finding that I'm starting to not enjoy constantly moving around the fire pit to stay out of the smoke. So I've been considering a propane fire pit, but I'm concerned about the heat output.What are your thoughts? Do the propane pits put out a decent amount of heat compared to a modest wood fire?The RV park where we “snowbird” doesn’t allow open wood fires but propane fire bowls are okay. Ours will burn for 5-7 hours (5gl tank), with a medium flame. It’ll burn your boots if you’re not careful ;)www.walmart.ca/en/ip/outland-firebowl-portable-propane-fire-pit/6000188246998#:~:text=Perfect%20for%20outdoor%20recreation%2C%20the%20standard%20Outland%20Firebowl,of%20a%20cozy%20campfire%20with%20you%20anywhere%20outdoors.EDIT: I made your link clicky so it doesn't break the page.

Kind of hard to make stick biscuits over a gas fire? Or Smores either.

Do propane fire pits put out any heat? | Good Sam Community

gtnsmlr
Explorer
Oct 19, 2020
A friend stands up a piece of 14x18x1/2 steel plate in his pit and it puts out a lot of heat when it heats up.
2oldman
Explorer II
Oct 19, 2020
Google: Wood vs gas
wopachop
Explorer
Oct 19, 2020
Smudge pot might work for you.
Or start the fire early. Come dark its mostly hot coals that you can put under your chair. Add wood for the look of fire. But the heat comes from the coals. Way less smoke.
Chum_lee
Explorer
Oct 19, 2020
Wood (coals) radiate heat in all directions because they generate a lot more infra red energy which is what warms you up. A burning/glowing flame tends to heat the air around the fire pit which then goes straight up. Unless you stand directly OVER the fire, most of the heat is wasted. It looks good though.

Chum lee
opnspaces
Navigator II
Oct 19, 2020
Thanks for all the great feedback, there are may things such as the glowing embers that I hadn't considered. And yes Wopachop I definitely agree on the coals under the chair. In areas where you can do so, it will definitely keep your rear end warm.
opnspaces
Navigator II
Oct 19, 2020
2oldman wrote:
Fire is fire I would think. Perhaps the glowing wood embers contribute to more heat, at the expense of all the nasty smoke.

Definitely what I was kind of thinking.
opnspaces
Navigator II
Oct 19, 2020
gtnsmlr wrote:
A friend stands up a piece of 14x18x1/2 steel plate in his pit and it puts out a lot of heat when it heats up.

Is that heat bounced off the steel plate? Or do you think the steel just gets hot and then radiates out in all directions?
dedmiston
Moderator
Oct 19, 2020
IAMICHABOD wrote:
But for the same ambiance and about the same amount of comfort of a real fire I think I will get one of THESE :B

For those nights when you just want to stay indoors with your friends while you sing and enjoy Photoshopped sparklers.
mr_andyj
Explorer
Oct 20, 2020
a LOT of HEAT!
Bird_Freak
Explorer II
Oct 20, 2020
I need the coals in the fire for the heat.