Does anyone use a portable fire pit? Going away this weekend again and fires are allowed but you have to have your own pit. Could easily go to bunnings and buy one but every one I've ever seen are fairly cheap and I reckon they would just melt. Also, I've always wondered what does one do with the leftover hot coals the morning of leaving? Where does one store it when leaving, as I presume it would still be a bit warm from the night before.
Any ideas?
rockylizard said
03:43 PM Jun 15, 2011
Gday...
Am I missing the point?
I usually just dig my own "pit", surround it with rocks - there are usually some not far away that do the trick. I carry my own 'grill' and legs. I carry this in a custom-made canvas bag.
Then when I leave I douse the whole hole ( sorry !) with water and back-fill the dirt.
Works fine for me.
Cheers
John
-- Edited by rockylizard on Wednesday 15th of June 2011 03:44:02 PM
gordon_adl said
04:04 PM Jun 15, 2011
Yes
Often in SA you're not allowed to dig a hole or have a fire on the grass. Fire pits (off the ground) only.
rockylizard wrote:
Gday...
Am I missing the point?
-- Edited by gordon_adl on Wednesday 15th of June 2011 04:05:12 PM
rockylizard said
04:10 PM Jun 15, 2011
gordon_adl wrote:
Yes
Often in SA you're not allowed to dig a hole or have a fire on the grass. Fire pits (off the ground) only.
rockylizard wrote:
Gday...
Am I missing the point?
-- Edited by gordon_adl on Wednesday 15th of June 2011 04:05:12 PM
Gday...
Gotcha. But I believe a "fireplace" anywhere cannot be lit "on the grass" ..... I always thought it had to be clear of all grass, leaves, sticks etc for two metres all around and clear to 5 metres above.
Oh well ..... guess I'll get in strife if I light a fire in SA - but it won't be on grass etc anyway. Will have to be aware and careful.
Good to learn our 'colonies' at still alive and well.
Cheers
John
gordon_adl said
04:17 PM Jun 15, 2011
It really depends on the sight. I usually bush camp, so just as you said, we dig a hole and away we go. However this particular time we're going to a caravan park. Their policy is fires are allowed as long as they are in a pit, of which they do not provide. We're meeting some friends who are just starting out and they're not quite ready for some good old fashioned free camping or bush camping.
rockylizard said
04:24 PM Jun 15, 2011
Gday...
Ah - now I understand. At the van park I am staying at the moment (Beerwah) they don't allow fires anyway. However, the van next to me has one of those "choofers" I think they are called - an old gas cylinder cut in half with small legs welded onto the bottom.
They carry it upside down in one of the carriers on the A-frame for gas bottles. They therefore have one 9kg gas bottle and one "choofer".
Seems a good place to carry it.
Cheers
John
jimbo said
04:39 PM Jun 15, 2011
I have a washing machine bowl with the holes and Presto Instant heat just add Wood and fire starters or whatever
Ma said
04:42 PM Jun 15, 2011
We have what you term a "choofer" Rocky. Yes, it's the 9kg gas bottle with the top cut off and then welded to the bottom to form the base.
It has a sort of "U" shape cut out of the front of it and has air holed around the whole thing. It also has four holes, two on each side, with bars that you put through it and this holds the camp kitchen really well. Also the frying pan fits nicely across the top.
We carry ours in it's own bag and then in a milk crate in the back of the tug (Ford Ranger).
As for the coals, we have never had any problems with it being too hot in the morning and then we either bag the cold coals and take them with us to dispose of in an appropriate manner or if possible dig a hole and bury them after making sure there are no "live" ones.
It just seems safer somehow, rather than having a fire on the ground, it's more "controlable"
gordon_adl said
04:45 PM Jun 15, 2011
Sounds like a great idea. Luckily my better half is quite the seamstress with canvas. Thanks everyone for the ideas.
Sheba said
06:09 PM Jun 15, 2011
rockylizard wrote:
Gday...
Ah - now I understand. At the van park I am staying at the moment (Beerwah) they don't allow fires anyway.
Hi John,
Where-abouts is the C-Park ? I'm from Glasshouse originally, and haven't been down that way for a while. Don't remember it being there last time.
Cheers,
Sheba.
-- Edited by Sheba on Wednesday 15th of June 2011 06:10:31 PM
rockylizard said
06:43 PM Jun 15, 2011
Gday...
I am picking strawberries at Gowinta Farms Beerwah - down along Burys Road (off Roys Road).
They put the van park in a 'couple of years ago' to attract grey nomads so I believe. Although, there are very few grey nomads here.
Quite a few my age or older, but they are seasoned pickers/packers who have put in a number of seasons here.
A pretty good van park - $25/night - $175/week (no discount) - and for picking fruit, is right in the middle of the farm so just walk to work each morning.
Cheers
John
Smokeydk said
07:50 PM Jun 15, 2011
Ma......I should shown you my choofa...maybe next time.......they can be used as brazziers.......I did it with mine...but the paint soon peeled off
Just remember if your using in ground pit fire.and cover it over......could stay hot for several weeks then burst through the soil.....causing a bushfire.....
Cruising Granny said
10:55 PM Jun 15, 2011
Van Parks don't usually allow fires of any kind, but do allow bbq's and webers, and that's where the "choofa" comes in. It's a bbq for the sake of legality. Some little country town parks have a common fire pit around which they have a barbecue and entertainment one night a week during the busy tourist season. Now that's usually a hoot.
Sheba said
11:03 PM Jun 15, 2011
rockylizard wrote:
Gday...
I am picking strawberries at Gowinta Farms Beerwah - down along Burys Road (off Roys Road).
Thanks John. Didn't know that was where that Strawberry Farm was either. Was thinking it was the one at Elimbah.
Will be visiting sisters in a couple of months, so I'll check out all the new stuff while I'm down there.
Cheers,
Sheba.
villatranquilla said
02:53 PM Jun 16, 2011
I have made a steel firebox about 30x45x45 with several large holes toward the bottom on 2 sides - square or rectangle shapes pack into the ute better. Makes a great storage for the camp oven, jaffle iron and grill plate - one advantage over an open fire is that it takes very little wood to get a hot fire going and then uses a minimal amount to keep it going. Also produces minimal coles. I also have a piece of reo mesh to put over the top so the frypan does not fall in when cooking Its always cold by morning and I usually wet then bury remaing coles cheers Barry
gordon_adl said
03:26 PM Jun 16, 2011
Do you have a picture of it? Sounds interesting.
villatranquilla said
09:47 PM Jun 17, 2011
no pics but its just a steel box really with some 2inch holes about 2 inches from the base - no legs - keep it simple
Cruising Granny said
10:19 PM Jun 17, 2011
I saw something similar in Bunnings yesterday. They have square boxes with mesh over the outer holes, or the little round hearths and a few other outdoor designs which can double as bbq's.
gordon_adl said
09:53 PM Jul 3, 2011
I've found the perfect firepit.
Now to convince a certain someone that this is indispensible.
Looks cool. Got plenty of wood? Crumpets, spuds, toast, marshmallows?
Cruising Granny said
10:38 PM Oct 28, 2011
Welcome Mark Taylor to the Grey Nomads Forum. You're a long way from Australia, but I hope you enjoy your stay on the forum. You have the concept of the fire pit spot on. Tell us more about you and your travels or travel plans.
Smokeydk said
02:52 PM Oct 29, 2011
My mate bought his along last trip away.......made from old washing machine tub
I have finally relented and bought a "camping stove" .... bought it in Charters Towers about four weeks ago - on special $39.95. Because of its size, the wood needs to be 'cut-to-length' - but other than that I am becoming fond of it.
It is great for just me .... but I could fit tucker for two on it if I needed to. I have actually found it good to use and am not missing just digging a hole and putting my cooking grate over the coals.
PS - coals are always cold of a morning and I just deposit the ash/dead coals with the fireplaces that have preceeded me.
Cheers
John
-- Edited by rockylizard on Saturday 29th of October 2011 03:06:11 PM
Hi Everyone,
Does anyone use a portable fire pit? Going away this weekend again and fires are allowed but you have to have your own pit. Could easily go to bunnings and buy one but every one I've ever seen are fairly cheap and I reckon they would just melt. Also, I've always wondered what does one do with the leftover hot coals the morning of leaving? Where does one store it when leaving, as I presume it would still be a bit warm from the night before.
Any ideas?
Gday...
Am I missing the point?
I usually just dig my own "pit", surround it with rocks - there are usually some not far away that do the trick. I carry my own 'grill' and legs. I carry this in a custom-made canvas bag.
Then when I leave I douse the whole hole (
sorry !) with water and back-fill the dirt.
Works fine for me.
Cheers
John
-- Edited by rockylizard on Wednesday 15th of June 2011 03:44:02 PM
-- Edited by gordon_adl on Wednesday 15th of June 2011 04:05:12 PM
Gday...
Gotcha. But I believe a "fireplace" anywhere cannot be lit "on the grass" ..... I always thought it had to be clear of all grass, leaves, sticks etc for two metres all around and clear to 5 metres above.
Oh well ..... guess I'll get in strife if I light a fire in SA - but it won't be on grass etc anyway. Will have to be aware and careful.
Good to learn our 'colonies' at still alive and well.
Cheers
John
Gday...
Ah - now I understand. At the van park I am staying at the moment (Beerwah) they don't allow fires anyway. However, the van next to me has one of those "choofers" I think they are called - an old gas cylinder cut in half with small legs welded onto the bottom.
They carry it upside down in one of the carriers on the A-frame for gas bottles. They therefore have one 9kg gas bottle and one "choofer".
Seems a good place to carry it.
Cheers
John
I have a washing machine bowl with the holes and Presto Instant heat just add Wood and fire starters or whatever
We have what you term a "choofer" Rocky. Yes, it's the 9kg gas bottle with the top cut off and then welded to the bottom to form the base.
It has a sort of "U" shape cut out of the front of it and has air holed around the whole thing. It also has four holes, two on each side, with bars that you put through it and this holds the camp kitchen really well. Also the frying pan fits nicely across the top.
We carry ours in it's own bag and then in a milk crate in the back of the tug (Ford Ranger).
As for the coals, we have never had any problems with it being too hot in the morning and then we either bag the cold coals and take them with us to dispose of in an appropriate manner or if possible dig a hole and bury them after making sure there are no "live" ones.
It just seems safer somehow, rather than having a fire on the ground, it's more "controlable"
Hi John,
Where-abouts is the C-Park ? I'm from Glasshouse originally, and haven't been down that way for a while. Don't remember it being there last time.
Cheers,
Sheba.
-- Edited by Sheba on Wednesday 15th of June 2011 06:10:31 PM
Gday...
I am picking strawberries at Gowinta Farms Beerwah - down along Burys Road (off Roys Road).
They put the van park in a 'couple of years ago' to attract grey nomads so I believe. Although, there are very few grey nomads here.
Quite a few my age or older, but they are seasoned pickers/packers who have put in a number of seasons here.
A pretty good van park - $25/night - $175/week (no discount) - and for picking fruit, is right in the middle of the farm so just walk to work each morning.
Cheers
John
Just remember if your using in ground pit fire.and cover it over......could stay hot for several weeks then burst through the soil.....causing a bushfire.....
Some little country town parks have a common fire pit around which they have a barbecue and entertainment one night a week during the busy tourist season. Now that's usually a hoot.
Its always cold by morning and I usually wet then bury remaing coles
cheers Barry
no pics but its just a steel box really with some 2inch holes about 2 inches from the base - no legs - keep it simple
I've found the perfect firepit.
Now to convince a certain someone that this is indispensible.
You have the concept of the fire pit spot on.
Tell us more about you and your travels or travel plans.
My mate bought his along last trip away.......made from old washing machine tub
Gday...
I have finally relented and bought a "camping stove" .... bought it in Charters Towers about four weeks ago - on special $39.95. Because of its size, the wood needs to be 'cut-to-length' - but other than that I am becoming fond of it.
It is great for just me .... but I could fit tucker for two on it if I needed to. I have actually found it good to use and am not missing just digging a hole and putting my cooking grate over the coals.
PS - coals are always cold of a morning and I just deposit the ash/dead coals with the fireplaces that have preceeded me.
Cheers
John
-- Edited by rockylizard on Saturday 29th of October 2011 03:06:11 PM
This is what we call 'the pig'. It's great for cooking for just a couple and works well as a outside heater/brazier as well.