Fire place grate in fire pit

I carry a rock with me and prop the starter wood against it to get the fire going. Then as I add more wood I lay those against the rock too. That lets air underneath to feed the fire. Works real good. Rocks have to be replaced occasionally though because they will split from the heat. I've tried bricks but they fall apart from the heat.

Try laying 3 or 4 logs down in the fire pit first, and then build a fire on top of them. The gaps between the logs will provide air. Also holds the fire up off wet ground.

I sometimes dig a few holes under the fire ring to let some air in. I carry a small gardeners shovel with me for that purpose.

Unfortunately though, we have had rain for the past several days and the fire ban has not been lifted yet. I go home tomorrow and I guess I'll have to take my firewood back with me :(

First saw the washing machine drum fire pit at a rally in Texas several years ago. It was mounted on a collapsible three-legged stand.
If using the metal firepits at a lot of campgrounds, put a rock under one or more sides to create a space between the metal and the ground. This will allow the fire to draw air. (I think someone has already suggested that)
If you are still having trouble, just find your nearest Native American and we'll gladly help our out paleface brethren. (or otherface brethren) We have lots of experience.


GM

ktmrfs wrote:
Nope, and I have a much better fire pit I carry around. go to an appliance store and beg, borrow or buy a metal washing machine drum. Use a cutoff wheel to cut the center post off if needed. then when you go camping fill the drum with firewood. for fires put the drum on top of the existing firepit grate, or on the ground and toss in some wood and light it. Virtually NO smoke, lots of heat radiated as the metal heats up, almost no clinkers, just some ash in the morning, and almost no soot. All the tiny holes in the drum draw lots of air and give you a hot burning fire. And you will use less wood than a regualar firepit.

If your anal, weld some 3/4" nuts (3) on the bottom and when you don't have a firepit, screw in some 8-12" long 3/4" bolts into the nuts to space it off the ground to draw from underneath.

Based on comments from other campers when they see mine, I'm tempted to carry a "spare" or two and have them for sale at a campground.

Ok, ok, ok, so I'm anal. I slice off some square tubing and weld to the bottom for my legs. I've got a brand new one sitting behind the 5er getting ready to go to Talladega. The old one got hit by a car first time out about 7-8 yrs ago. It's been hit by a police car once. Had a ruff life, it's dented and rusted but will still do the job.

I was given the idea by John (Rest in peace old friend) from NH, at Atlanta Motor Speedway before the tornado took out the backstretch.

I also carry a grill from a round BBQ. I always put it over the "burn barrel" and throw a piece of sheet metal on top when were done for the night.

We carry a fire pit with folding legs. I can set it up anywhere we feel we want to or I also set it up on top of the campground one. Some of the campground ones are so deep you have to build a raging inferno to see a flame. I don't know who designs them but it clearly isn't somebody that has campfires.

Nope, and I have a much better fire pit I carry around. go to an appliance store and beg, borrow or buy a metal washing machine drum. Use a cutoff wheel to cut the center post off if needed. then when you go camping fill the drum with firewood. for fires put the drum on top of the existing firepit grate, or on the ground and toss in some wood and light it. Virtually NO smoke, lots of heat radiated as the metal heats up, almost no clinkers, just some ash in the morning, and almost no soot. All the tiny holes in the drum draw lots of air and give you a hot burning fire. And you will use less wood than a regualar firepit.

If your anal, weld some 3/4" nuts (3) on the bottom and when you don't have a firepit, screw in some 8-12" long 3/4" bolts into the nuts to space it off the ground to draw from underneath.

Based on comments from other campers when they see mine, I'm tempted to carry a "spare" or two and have them for sale at a campground.

Sometimes we prop the pit up with some bricks to let air in from underneath.

Tending a fire to keeping it burning is 1/2 the fun of having a fire. Leave the grate at home.

mhardin wrote:

korbe wrote:
I would not want to carry a grate around just for this purpose. We have found that with the right placement of the wood, it burns just fine.

Agree!

x3
bumpy