I noticed a guy here in the cg a couple of nights ago with one of those propane gas rings, pits, campfires, whatever they're called. There were several people sitting around the fire so I didn't want to intrude and ask questions. Do any of you use them and if so, how do you like them? I'm getting to where I'm tired of hauling wood in the back of the truck. Plus, more often than not, we don't burn it all so I load it up again and take it back home. Do they put out the same amount of heat? Many have lava rocks in them. Is there a problem if you drop a marshmallow off the end of your s'mores fork? I realize there is no definitive answer to this next question, but what about amount of propane usage? If you burn it 2-3 hours a night, about how long will the standard bbq type bottle last? Thanks all.

We have had one for almost 2 years. Got it in Nevada at Lowes for $99. Love it. No smell, no smoke, no firewood, and can use it during a burn ban. Best thing, is when you turn it off, it's off. No embers. Go inside to eat dinner and turn it off.Gives out an amazing amount of heat for its size. A 20lb or 5 gal lasts usually lasts us a week of nightly use. It depends how high you turn it, and how long you use it a night. We have several people a week comment about getting one, and they come over and share our fire sometimes over cocktails.One of the best investments we have made since we left for fulltiming almost 3 years ago.We get propane for under $2 a gal, so for us, it's a no brainer.Edit....As for your marshmallows, it will stink until it's totally burned, but we have dropped a couple items on our lava rocks, and haven't had any problems.

Nutinelse2do wrote:We have had one for almost 2 years. Got it in Nevada at Lowes for $99. Love it. No smell, no smoke, no firewood, and can use it during a burn ban. Best thing, is when you turn it off, it's off. No embers. Go inside to eat dinner and turn it off.Gives out an amazing amount of heat for its size. A 20lb or 5 gal lasts usually lasts us a week of nightly use. It depends how high you turn it, and how long you use it a night. We have several people a week comment about getting one, and they come over and share our fire sometimes over cocktails.One of the best investments we have made since we left for fulltiming almost 3 years ago.We get propane for under $2 a gal, so for us, it's a no brainer.X2It doesn't matter what brand you buy, they are all simple and efficient. If any of you are going to be in Quartzsite for the big RV show later this month you can get a deal.... I think. Every year for the last 4 or 5 there has been a guy just inside the big tent. He sells the factory returns for the "Campfire in a can" for $75 vs about $150 new. Most are sold "as new in the box".We got ours 3 years ago and the only defect was one rock log that was cracked in half. It works great and as noted they put out a lot of heat for not a lot of propane. Especially nice when you encounter a Red Flag restriction, you can still have a nice little fire. Most RV parks are not set up for a real wood fires and prohibit them outright but I have never seen one that restricted the use of the propane fire pits. IMHO: Camping without a fire {of some sort}, just ain't the same.... :S

X3 we have had one for 5 years. first one was a small Fire dancer. Went to a larger one with lava rock. Grand kids love it they do somoas and hot dogs on it. Love not having to haul or buy wood or getting rid of ashes. We keep the old wood burning pit at home and do special occasions campfire s there.

Haven't succumbed to ANY propane products yet so reading this thread with objective interest. I do know that life could change at certain times of the year in the West.

We got one from Cosco a couple of years ago and like it very much. It has a bigger fire than some ad we can use it during fire bans. It's also nice not to have any smoke and we can even use it under our awning when it's raining.It's designed to run off a cylinder but was easy to modify to run off a port on our TT. That way I dont have to carry a loose cylinder around.

Propane Fire Pits | Good Sam Community

4x4van
Explorer III
Jan 06, 2017
We have one (a Camco model), and love it. While I still prefer a real fire, the Camco is great for fire bans, campgrounds without fire pits, Nascar, etc. It puts out a reasonable amount of heat (not as much as a real campfire, but...) and gives a similar ambiance (without the smoke) although without the "crackling". It's also quick, clean, and easy.
CavemanCharlie
Explorer III
Jan 06, 2017
dewey02 wrote:
To each their own and some folks seem to like these propane firepits.

But I've never found our gas fireplace in the house to be anywhere near as nice or comforting as a real fireplace (although certainly more thermally efficient, especially when the fire isn't going!).

When camping, we want the real thing. We deal with enough fake stuff while living in the modern world. We spend a lot of time outside when camping and appreciate a real, crackling and warm fire.

As I said, your opinion may vary and you are certainly entitled to it.

I don't have one but, this is what I was thinking. I do understand that during a Burn Ban they would be nice though.

I occasionally let the wood fire go out and just set outside in the dark enjoying nature. That can be fun sometimes too.
Sandia_Man
Explorer II
Jan 04, 2017
We purchased ours from Lowes some years back and it puts out a decent amount of heat as the flame is adjustable and can get quite large when set on high. On that setting it will go through a significant amount of propane, but we don't use it to keep warm and usually have flame set lower, mostly to add ambiance to the campsite while enjoying the evening outdoors.

It gets used primarily during periods of the year where fire bans are in place, we do not bring it along otherwise. Although it is convenient, cleaner, and in many cases less costly to run than using firewood, we will always prefer the real thing. We live and do most of our RVing in the four corner states and dry firewood is abundant and easily accessible wherever we go.
dewey02
Explorer II
Jan 04, 2017
To each their own and some folks seem to like these propane firepits.

But I've never found our gas fireplace in the house to be anywhere near as nice or comforting as a real fireplace (although certainly more thermally efficient, especially when the fire isn't going!).

When camping, we want the real thing. We deal with enough fake stuff while living in the modern world. We spend a lot of time outside when camping and appreciate a real, crackling and warm fire.

As I said, your opinion may vary and you are certainly entitled to it.
bob213
Explorer
Jan 04, 2017
like our campfire in a can. I don't think they are in business any more. Website is there but didn't function last time I tried it.

Just tried it and everything is out of stock....
campfireinacan
kginder
Explorer
Jan 04, 2017
Campfire In A Can is by far the best (and most expensive) one on the market. It's fully adjustable flame can put out a huge fire that many people can sit around and stay warm. I've had one since 2011 and use it just about every trip.
However...
I was one of the many folks that KickStarter supported them on a wood/gas version that they never came through with. They even took shipping costs from us and didn't return it. So I have a hard time suggesting the unit.
But to fair it is really good. It does eat a lot of propane on high.
beemerphile1
Explorer
Jan 04, 2017
We love our Little Red campfire. The cost is comparable to campground wood but the advantages are tremendous. It is nice to simply turn the fire off and on rather than spend two hours trying to get a decent fire going with wet, green, campground wood.

We also use it inside our 10x10 shelter with wind walls and no worries about sparks burning the nylon.
oldcat1
Explorer
Jan 04, 2017
Go Dawgs wrote:
I bought one for the purpose of being able to have a fire during burn bans. I could care less about heat. I do mine for the feel of a fire. Very relaxing.

This ^^^ We still enjoy a wood fire when allowed, but during a burn ban it beats the heck out of sitting around a flashlight.

Safe travels
Homer1
Explorer
Jan 04, 2017
Another great thing about them is, your neighbors that have COPD will greatly appreciate the lack of smoke. Even though they may not be setting around your fire ring, they are enjoying it as much as you.
SoundGuy
Explorer
Jan 04, 2017
Have to admit, I'm surprised by all the positive comments. Our house sits on a ravine lot so the backyard is "sort of" like camping ... love a wood burning campfire but bylaws here ban the practice so a couple of years ago we bought a large, propane fire ring. Frankly, it uses a lot of propane yet throws out very little heat at all, the result being we're not using it anywhere near as much as we thought we would. On the upside, it's yet one more reason to actually go camping where we can have a real wood campfire. That obviously means sourcing wood for the fire but IMO nothing beats a crackling wood campfire. :B

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