Grey Mountain wrote:
I tried using one of those washing machine fires for smoke signals but words kept slipping out through the holes in the sides and the messages became fragmented. Sometimes newer is not necessarily better.
GM
AW but it comes in a BIA compliant model... :B
I agree with others here that an old wash machine tub is the way to go. I have used them for 25 years or more.
I always had the big ones that I put on my trailer with the desert buggy and quads. I found that after I sold all my toys plus the trailer that is was a pain to take that large tub in the motor home.
So I started looking for an alternative to having it but found that nothing worked as well that wash machine tub until........
I found this. It is a wash tub from a compact machine. The cooking grate from a Weber Smokey Joe fits perfectly.
As you can see it is smaller,13 in. across VS 17 in. on the big one and 14 inches deep VS 17 in. on the big one. It stores easily in my rear compartment. I even found a canvas bag that it fits in so it doesn't make any mess while back there.
And as you can see it still makes a helluva fire and the firewood fits just fine.
I always had the big ones that I put on my trailer with the desert buggy and quads. I found that after I sold all my toys plus the trailer that is was a pain to take that large tub in the motor home.
So I started looking for an alternative to having it but found that nothing worked as well that wash machine tub until........
I found this. It is a wash tub from a compact machine. The cooking grate from a Weber Smokey Joe fits perfectly.
As you can see it is smaller,13 in. across VS 17 in. on the big one and 14 inches deep VS 17 in. on the big one. It stores easily in my rear compartment. I even found a canvas bag that it fits in so it doesn't make any mess while back there.
And as you can see it still makes a helluva fire and the firewood fits just fine.
Sorry about the poor quality of the pictures but the washer tubs are great if you have the room for themโฆ I have three to them two regular size and a large commercial oneโฆ try to get the stainless ones though, I have tried a porcelain coated one and when the fire was real hot and small pieces of the porcelain came off like it was shot out of a gunโฆ it could easily injure an eyeโฆ
I leave the shaft on the tubs and just insert it into a cast umbrella standโฆ it is stable and can be used anywhere because it is high enough to not damage or burn anything under itโฆ
None of mine have holes in the bottom and they donโt need themโฆ
One other feature I found a old weber dome charcoal grill and the lid fits right on my drum perfectlyโฆ I can load the tub with wood and starter in the morning and with the lid on the wood stays dry even in the heaviest rainโฆ also if the fire is started and a storm blows in put the lid on and the rain will not douse the fireโฆ afterwards and the end of the evening with a good bed of coals and the lid on it holds the heat for hours longer and makes new fire in the morning by just adding a couple pieces of woodโฆ especially nice if sleeping near the fireโฆ
This one has been use for about ten years now and has on sign of needing replacedโฆ the commercial one my son is using it is about twice the sizeโฆ he like big firesโฆ:B
Again my apologies for the picture qualityโฆ old low res camera phone and a shaky handโฆ
I leave the shaft on the tubs and just insert it into a cast umbrella standโฆ it is stable and can be used anywhere because it is high enough to not damage or burn anything under itโฆ
None of mine have holes in the bottom and they donโt need themโฆ
One other feature I found a old weber dome charcoal grill and the lid fits right on my drum perfectlyโฆ I can load the tub with wood and starter in the morning and with the lid on the wood stays dry even in the heaviest rainโฆ also if the fire is started and a storm blows in put the lid on and the rain will not douse the fireโฆ afterwards and the end of the evening with a good bed of coals and the lid on it holds the heat for hours longer and makes new fire in the morning by just adding a couple pieces of woodโฆ especially nice if sleeping near the fireโฆ
This one has been use for about ten years now and has on sign of needing replacedโฆ the commercial one my son is using it is about twice the sizeโฆ he like big firesโฆ:B
Again my apologies for the picture qualityโฆ old low res camera phone and a shaky handโฆ
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.
Stayed at a CG in Westport WA, last July and that is what they used for fire pits.
OK I guess for some...not for us. We like to have an open fire that we can BBQ on...even pizza.
