Fire pan, anybody else use one?

[AimCOtaco]

We picked up a USFS approved fire pan from NRS for rafting. Rivers camps get crowded when the water runs so the USFS often requires boaters to carry an approved fire pan to minimize impact of sprawing camps along the banks.
Basically this enables the fire to be up off the ground in a pan such that the ground is not scortched, and no fire ring is created or left behind. The ashes are then carried down river and disposed of. River folk are really good at zero trace camping. Urine is about the only thing left behind.

We have started carrying it on our 4x4 camping trips as well and really like using it as a cooking fire with wood or charcoal to supplement existing fire rings. We also feel good camping in un-established spots and leaving no trace this way by NOT making any new fire rings.

I'm wondering if anyone else is using one on the trail?

 

[Count_Fred]

I recently welded up a fire box to use to contain charcoals with a dutch oven as well as to use as a portable fire pit and finally wood storage when on the Land Cruiser.

It's not often needed in the NW, but I prefer it to a fire ring. It gives me more flexibility in camp layout as well as being safer in my opinion.

JFS III

 

[AimCOtaco]

I recently welded up a fire box to use to contain charcoals with a dutch oven as well as to use as a portable fire pit and finally wood storage when on the Land Cruiser.
JFS III

That sounds pretty cool, got any pics?

 

[Count_Fred]

I'll try and remember to bring my camera home from work and take a couple

JFS III

 

[Assassin]

I'll try and remember to bring my camera home from work and take a couple

JFS III

like to see a pic of it for sure.....love to cook in dutch ovens

 

[Josie'sLandCruiser]

Hi All:

Andy, got any pics of this USFS approved fire pan?

Thanks!

Alan

We picked up a USFS approved fire pan from NRS for rafting. Rivers camps get crowded when the water runs so the USFS often requires boaters to carry an approved fire pan to minimize impact of sprawing camps along the banks.
Basically this enables the fire to be up off the ground in a pan such that the ground is not scortched, and no fire ring is created or left behind. The ashes are then carried down river and disposed of. River folk are really good at zero trace camping. Urine is about the only thing left behind.

We have started carrying it on our 4x4 camping trips as well and really like using it as a cooking fire with wood or charcoal to supplement existing fire rings. We also feel good camping in un-established spots and leaving no trace this way by NOT making any new fire rings.

I'm wondering if anyone else is using one on the trail?

 

[4XLT]

Found This



Link to item at NRS:

The Firepan

 

[Count_Fred]

Ok, I took some shots as I left this morning. Here's is what I built and carry.

As far as construction: I took a couple stackable boxes, trimmed off one side and welded them together. A few pieces of rebar are welded to the base to get it a couple inches off the ground. I can grab the bar up front and the handle in the rear (not visible) and comfortably lift the box even when loaded with wood.

Size-wise, this is about 20"x24" or so. It fits perfectly between my Overcamp tent and the side of the roof. It rests on two Thule roof bars and the rebar feet are about 1/2" off the roof itself. I don't yet have more of a roof rack than the bars. That's a later project.

The grill part is not attached. A friend was moving and had that piece he was trashing. I snagged it and it is the perfect size. I've yet to use the grill part.

This provides enough of a wind block around my dutch over to keep things warm. I need to build a cover to a) allow me to use the dutch oven in the rain and b) to keep wood dry when the box is on the roof.

 

[sirenmoses]

^ great idea Count-Fred!! look forward to seeing what you come up w/for weather protection for storage and use.


Tuffy makes a firepan w/roughly same dimensions, tho not so well suited to cooking: Tuffy camping firepan

I live and vacation in places where campfires are generally not allowed, firewood shouldn't be transported due to insects, and water is scarce enuf to begrudge it's use to extinguish a fire.

Now that I'll be car camping w/solar shower more often, might be time to to rethink my system: grey water deserves to be reused.

 

[Josie'sLandCruiser]

Hi All:

Interesting thread.

Even up here in the Pacific Northwest we have camp fire restrictions.

The USFS often has a burn-ban during the summer months requiring one to use an approved fire ring, etc.

The Washington State DNR either restricts fires to official fire rings in DNR camp grounds, or require that off-the-ground fire rings/boxes be used.

I've heard of some guys using old commercial truck wheels cut in half to build off-the ground fire rings. This seems to meet the requirements of the DNR for the areas they administer.

The problems with all of these is how bulky they are to transport. No an issue if it is carried in your tow rig, but takes up way too much space in a 40 Series!

Regards,

Alan

 

[AimCOtaco]

Hi All:

The problems with all of these is how bulky they are to transport. No an issue if it is carried in your tow rig, but takes up way too much space in a 40 Series!
Alan

The NRS version (pictured above) folds flat to about 18x24x3"... if it fits on my 13' raft with cooler, dog, kid, wife, beer, camp gear, spares, dry-bags, pfds, etc.etc.
it will fit nicely on the floor in the rear of a 40 or on the roof.

 

[AimCOtaco]

Ok, I took some shots as I left this morning. Here's is what I built and carry.

Fred's is a great design for accommodating the dutch oven or allowing a bigger (more camp like) fire. This is the best overland vehicle based home build design I have seen.