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.
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
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2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
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
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2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
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.
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
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2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
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"
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
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2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
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.....
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.
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20ft Roma caravan - Mercedes Benz Sprinter - SA-based at the moment. Transport has no borders.
Management makes the decisions, but is not affected by the decisions it makes.
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
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Jenny and Barry
2009 Roma Elegance / 2013 Colorado. Permanent travellers 2011-2015 now just travel for 4-6 mths
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.
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20ft Roma caravan - Mercedes Benz Sprinter - SA-based at the moment. Transport has no borders.
Management makes the decisions, but is not affected by the decisions it makes.
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.
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20ft Roma caravan - Mercedes Benz Sprinter - SA-based at the moment. Transport has no borders.
Management makes the decisions, but is not affected by the decisions it makes.
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
sorry !) with water and back-fill the dirt.
