As an avid tent camper one of the joys that I have during my camping trips is being able to have a nice wood fire. In fact being able to have a wood fire while camping is almost a necessity for most campers. However, there are some campers who at times may not be able to have a fire due to various restrictions or because of the high cost of wood or the scarcity of wood in the area that they may be camping in. Some people may for reasons of convenience prefer an artificial wood fire alternative to building and maintaining real wood fire.
There are various alternatives to your traditional campfire available. However the propane fire pit gets the closest to the traditional wood fire feel of just about any artificial alternative on the market.
Are propane fire pits worth it? Yes, propane fire pits are worth it if you don’t want the work and hassle of managing a wood fire, if you would like to camp during a fire ban, and if you are camping in an area where wood is unavailable or expensive. Propane fire pits do not give off smoke and can be easily turned on and off with the turn of a dial.
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How Hot Is a Propane Fire Pit?
Propane fire pits give off much more heat than your typical camping stove. For example a woods double burner propane stove gives off around 10,000 BTUs (British Thermal Units) per burner. Comparatively, propane fire pits are designed to burn hotter at around 50,000 BTUs and up. A wood burning stove running optimally can output around 100,000 BTUs. So, clearly a propane fire pit will give off more heat than your typical propane camp stove but much less than a good hot campfire. It will however produce enough heat to simulate a fire and feel warm.
Can You Cook On A Propane Fire Pit?
Most propane fire pits are not designed for cooking. For ambient reasons they produce flickering white flames which are not ideal for cooking food. As well cooking greasy food can clog up the fire pit preventing it from working properly. 1 Some company manufacturers allow for limited cooking such as roasting marshmallows.
How Much Propane Does A Fire Pit Use?
Propane fire pits use differing amounts of propane based on various factors such as the make and model how many BTUs/h the unit burns and how much you open up the valve. A 1Lb tank of propane for example will burn for about 1hour while using the Little Red Fire from Camco. A 20lb tank has approximately 430,000 btu/h worth of gas and can last about 4 – 4.5 hours at a moderate gas output.
The Cost of using propane verses purchasing wood is often less expensive. So all in all the cost of burning propane vs wood is better in a propane fire pit stove.
Does A Propane Fire Pit Keep The Mosquitoes Away?
A propane fire pit does not behave like a real wood burning fire. A real wood burning fire gives off smoke and it is the smoke that helps keep the mosquitoes away. The burning of propane produces carbon dioxide and this actually attracts mosquitos. It is the same reason why mosquitoes are attracted to the carbon dioxide in our breath. So you will need to use the same mosquito repellant that you would usually use to keep the bugs at bay.
Can You Use A Propane Fire Pit During A Fire Ban?
One real advantage of using a propane fire pit is during fire bans. In many areas where there is a fire ban, propane fire pits are allowed as long as any combustible materials are kept a safe distance away from the flames. It is important to check your local regulations before using a propane fire pit during a fire ban.
Some other reasons why you may prefer to use a propane fire is that you don’t need to worry about getting smoke in your eyes, you won’t need to be concerned about finding dry wood after a rainstorm, you can easily control the height and heat of the flame and you can set up your fire easily anywhere around your campsite that you prefer not being restricted to the fire rings location only.
Many campers see fire not as a source of comfort and a shared place to enjoy each others company. They also see fire as a means of survival out in the wilderness. That being said there are some practical reasons and situations where a propane fire pit can provide some of what a wood fire is so well appreciated for.