camping fire pit ring material ????

[rusty_tlc]

I was largely being a smart ass. But mainly because I just can not conceive carrying something around with me to make a fire in.


We always site our fires with an eye toward minimal impact. When you camp on a sand and gravel river bar that is easy. When you are out on the tundra is is not as simple, but 99.999% of the time you can find a sandy or rocky spot to site the fire so soil sterilization is minimized.

When we camp repeatedly at the same spots over the years we reuse the sane fire rings and if someone else has left a fire ring at a camp spot used by others as well as us, we will use it rather than making a new one (assuming of course it is not sited stupidly).

But we don't have big brother telling us that we have to carry artificial systems to build fires in. And we don't have enough people out where we go that it is a concern in terms of environmental impact.


My heart breaks for you guys.



Mark...

It's still possible to find remote locations where you can build a fire wherever you want and fart as loud as you like, it just takes more dedication to get there. When we go places like that I prefer to leave as little evidence of our visit as possible. It just makes it nicer for the next guy that way.

Another factor is environment, in what amounts to a temperate rain forest traces of your visit it will be gone in one or two seasons. Here in the desert they can last for decades.

I think, for me anyway, a lot of it comes down to common sense and consideration rather than Big Brother.

I avoid the whole campfire thing by just not having one. Most times the weather is so hot we don't need one, and the stars shine so much brighter in the desert with out a fire it worth not having one.

 

[Mace]

I avoid the whole campfire thing by just not having one. Most times the weather is so hot we don't need one, and the stars shine so much brighter in the desert with out a fire it worth not having one.

But a 12 gauge and some dragons breath shot shells with a can of gasiline and a cord of wood is soooooo much fun

 

[rusty_tlc]

But a 12 gauge and some dragons breath shot shells with a can of gasiline and a cord of wood is soooooo much fun

Or a Micky bomb.

 

[Mace]

True dat

 

[Mark W]

It's still possible to find remote locations where you can build a fire wherever you want and fart as loud as you like, it just takes more dedication to get there. When we go places like that I prefer to leave as little evidence of our visit as possible. It just makes it nicer for the next guy that way.

Another factor is environment, in what amounts to a temperate rain forest traces of your visit it will be gone in one or two seasons. Here in the desert they can last for decades.

In many of the places we spend our field time, if you sterilize the topsoil with a fire it takes years to come back. But if you build your fire on a river bar there is zero environmental impact, and depending on the exact spot, it is likely that the winter ice and spring breakup will even wash out any ashes and unburnt wood fragments you leave behind. Kick it around and spread it out before you leave and all sign will disappear.

We definitely strive to leave minimal sign behind us, but it is a matter of personal choice rather than federal mandate.

There are places where we will forgo a fire. Not spots where we normally choose to camp, but places perhaps where we have had to camp as we deal with a disabled rig or something of that nature. I can be kinda greenie at times (don't tell anyone okay?) and I hate making a fire scar in an area that is green and lush with rich peat soil or an area of thin tundra with no rocky or sandy patches.

When I am out alone, I seldom have a fire. I tend to be active until it is time to crawl into the bag. Fires are a social thing more than a functional thing. I can eat MREs and other trail food without a fire just fine.

The fact that it is a social thing rather than a need would probably keep me from hauling a fire basket thingie. Easier to bring a propane stove.

A fire just feels "right" when you are out camping, but that is a mindset more than anything else.




Mark...

 

[Combat Chuck]

A stainless steel commercial washer tub cut in half... works great !!

This. Plenty breathable, mobile enough, and sturdy. If you're lucky, you can source the donor in a garage sale for little to nothing, and have your fire pit ready to roll in an afternoon.

 

[purebluedoor]

washer cylinders

many times ive used the internal O of a washing machine from junkyards, they are heavy duty, and are already perforated with holes allowing heat to escape and air to circulate while still protecting from embers escaping! also when you are ready to sleep you can be comfortable that your fire is not going to burn down the forrest, and even when the fire is out the metal retains heat very well, we would camp near them for warmth.
con: theyre heavy

 

[Chop Shop]

I only have pics of building mine. Ill have to get a current pic.

I got an old heating oil tank for free. I cut the ends off and made two pit out of it. Made them about 1.5 feet deep.

The one in my yard has a hummer rim welded to the bottom as a riser. Its about 4 feet around.

 

[In2cruisers]

Cali/mex fire ring....

The largest washing machine tub you can find....dryers tub also work but hole in bottom is bigger

 

[johnbill]

I'm with Chop Shop. An oil drum seems to be the cheapest option, unless you can cue up a big washer for cheap as somebody mentioned. I just use rocks for risers to save a little weight/space, and it doesn't hurt em at all (so long as they're granite).

If you're looking for something you can carry on your back, however, I'm guessing you're prolly sunk.

 

[Dell]

 

[FJ40-GARAGE]

I do prefer open fires........

For use at home i made fire barrel with a few gimmicks.

Got another small one that we carry for the outdoors, that used to be a community waste bin..

For size comparing:

Dont worry about that Land Rover.....its the wifeys, i am just allowed to drive it.

 

[Mace]

I know you guys are a bit more used to cold weather than I am, but a Screen tent in the snow sounds like a bad idea to me

 

[FJ40-GARAGE]

I know you guys are a bit more used to cold weather than I am, but a Screen tent in the snow sounds like a bad idea to me

Better in that angle.

Its pretty thick material.