Desert Fire Pit (1 Viewer)

[Brentbba]

One more project I completed this weekend was a portable fire pit. I'd seen them before on scout outings. Simply put, it's made from a recycled washing machine tub!

I found one simple plan at www.off-road.com/camp/firepit/ No endorsement of the sight. I found it by typing in recycled washing machine tub.

Total cost as the article said was truely about $50. I spent a whooping $20 for the tub, about 10 on the six flanges/pipes and screws for the three legs and about 15 for the Weber kettle grill insert for the coals and eye bolts to secure it above the floor of the tub. The only thing even remotely difficult was cutting out the center post. I used a jig saw from the bottom side and a metal blade and it cut thru the metal tub very quickly. I've painted the outside with a rattle can of Rustoleum Hi-temp paint. Cruiser looks like Sputnik when I've got it on the roof!

I've been wanting to build one of these for my scout troop and now with some trips to the desert, it was a perfect excuse! First trial is this coming week.

Pics:

 

[sandcruiser]

Keep in mind that the side holes will let in a lot of air--- don't fill up on fuel too much when you first light it. I've seen a guy who piled one full of oak and some charcoal, threw in some fluid, then a match. After about five minutes the darn thing had a flame shooting up into the sky about 5 or 6 feet, you couldn't get within 15ft of it.... melted the grill inserts and deformed the tub.

 

[Owyhee Jackass]

Ditto what he said. You should rivet on some sheet metal to close off half of those holes.

 

[Beowulf]

I like it Brent. Are you planning a grill for the top so the guys can cook burgers? Is this one of the stainless tubs mentioned in the link you posted?

Give us an update after this weekend with any improvements you would recommend.

-B-

 

[Niner]

We used one of those for a few years, works good. we just set ours on a junk rim. There is a Comercial SpeedQueen manufacturer near us and the stainless steel tubs where defective so both parts were free.

 

[Brentbba]

Ditto what he said. You should rivet on some sheet metal to close off half of those holes.

Actually the article mentioned enlarging some of the holes. I'd think there would be air flow, but not as much as an open air fire.

I'll heed your warnings and watch it closely Thursday evening.

 

[Brentbba]

I like it Brent. Are you planning a grill for the top so the guys can cook burgers? Is this one of the stainless tubs mentioned in the link you posted?

Give us an update after this weekend with any improvements you would recommend.

-B-

No current plans for a grill top, but it's certainly a possibility as the article showed. Right now I've only got the charcoal grate in the bottom.

Didn't spend alot of time looking for a tub, so this one is not stainless. It'll be interesting to see how well the porcelian on the inside holds up. I'll probably have to wait for my current washing machine at home to take a crap to get my hands on a stainless tub!

 

[miked]

I got one of those...
the first time I fired it up, I nearly burnt half my back yard!
the dry dead grass under it caught and spread fast.
I know ... I know....

 

[sandcruiser]

there is less air than an open air fire, true, but the air is coming from LOW and underneath the coals, instead of having the ground there to insulate.

 

[Kofoed]

If you have a reciever hitch, you can weld a slider to the pit and carry it on the back. If connected solidly, you can carry some fire wood in it too.

 

[spressomon]

Me likes! Great idea. Where are WE camping?

 

[Brentbba]

Me likes! Great idea. Where are WE camping?

You really want to come camping most of the time with 25 11-14 year old boys?

Next trip will be late March at the Orange County Council camp at Oso Lake.

 

[spressomon]

You really want to come camping most of the time with 25 11-14 year old boys?

Next trip will be late March at the Orange County Council camp at Oso Lake.

Nope. Have fun though and be sure to tell us how it was...as if I had to know or ask

 

[74fj40]

very very neat!! welding a reciever hitch onto it, is a great idea!!

 

[Brentbba]

I'll get a couple of pics posted tonight if I have time, but on to the performance.

This thing worked GREAT!

Easy to get fire lit with the air flow. Put out great heat, contained most of the ash making hauling out the ash an easy job. Completely burned all the wood and ashes were cold by morning.

Need to weld or double nut the eye bolts holding the grate at the bottom. Desert washboard rattling loosened (read fell off) two of the nuts holding the eyebolts in place.

Heat of the fire has the grate shaped to the bottom of the tub now, but still very functional.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Brent's device rocked. With all the holes there is lots of air circulation, so the fires would start easily and burn well. It was effecient combustion-wise as well, with the wood being burned completely with only a fine ash remaining. The heat radiates well out of the tub better than a standard campfire and every one was able to keep warm. Overall-excellent design and execution.

Brent=Camp Intern and passed the first test. He was almost promoted until he mentioned cake mix and Dutch Oven in the same sentence.

 

[Brentbba]

Brent=Camp Intern and passed the first test. He was almost promoted until he mentioned cake mix and Dutch Oven in the same sentence.

LOL! Tuff crowd - just trying to make things easier on my 12 year old scouts Andy. ;p

 

[Cruiserdrew]

LOL! Tuff crowd - just trying to make things easier on my 12 year old scouts Andy. ;p

10-4. Check your email for a cobbler receipe for your scouts that is as easy as cake mix, but you make it from scratch.

 

[Brentbba]

10-4. Check your email for a cobbler receipe for your scouts that is as easy as cake mix, but you make it from scratch.

Got it - thanks! March at Oso Lake I forsee a cobbler!

 

[Brentbba]

Ok, promised pics of Sputnik in action. Pit got it's name because it looks like a satelite sitting on top of my cruiser. One pic is just a close up to mesmerize you.