Fire Pits

massphatness · 07-06-2009, 06:31 AM

Bought a clay fire pit from Lowes this past spring, and we've been enjoying the occassional fire in the back yard. Last night, the bottom literally fell out of the thing.

So now I'm in the market for a new one. Any suggestions? I'm leery of going back to clay because it lasted all of maybe 10 fires. I want something semi-portable that can be stored under the deck when not in use.

newcigarz · 07-06-2009, 07:00 AM

I had one like this back in CT. Worked great and built to last.

http://www.charbroil.com/Consumer/pr...uctSeriesID=10

dunng · 07-06-2009, 07:09 AM

Hole in the ground...

Mugen910 · 07-06-2009, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunng

Hole in the ground...

would I have to inlay any stones/bricks or do I just dig a hole? My friend said to just get a barrel...just cut it in half and I could use that.

Don Fernando · 07-06-2009, 08:09 AM

go for something like this

07-06-2009, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by massphatness

Bought a clay fire pit from Lowes this past spring, and we've been enjoying the occassional fire in the back yard. Last night, the bottom literally fell out of the thing.

So now I'm in the market for a new one. Any suggestions? I'm leery of going back to clay because it lasted all of maybe 10 fires. I want something semi-portable that can be stored under the deck when not in use.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunng

Hole in the ground...

Hey Vin I want to see how you move a hole.

Can you do it when I'm up there in July?

Don Fernando · 07-06-2009, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahc4353

Hey Vin I want to see how you move a hole.

Can you do it when I'm up there in July?

I bet he can (re)move an asshole when you are up there in July

taltos · 07-06-2009, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahc4353

Hey Vin I want to see how you move a hole.

Can you do it when I'm up there in July?

Give it a ride from NJ to Maynard?

BlackDog · 07-06-2009, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mugen910

would I have to inlay any stones/bricks or do I just dig a hole? My friend said to just get a barrel...just cut it in half and I could use that.

I think that a barrel would rust and/or burn out within a season or two. I see a lot of folks out here using rims from tractor wheels. For my fire pit I used curved cement blocks like you'd use for a retaining wall.

Mugen910 · 07-06-2009, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackDog

I think that a barrel would rust and/or burn out within a season or two. I see a lot of folks out here using rims from tractor wheels. For my fire pit I used curved cement blocks like you'd use for a retaining wall.

Thanks Warren. I think a few years ago at a camp ground we went to they used an old tire rim. I'll look into that since they are in ample supply.

taltos · 07-06-2009, 09:04 AM

Vin, check out Walmart, they have several steel firepits for under $100. I bought a Coleman from them about 5 years ago and it is still going strong at my brother in law's place in New Hampshire.

macpappy · 07-06-2009, 09:53 AM

I've had a heavy cast iron one for a couple of years now. I had one of the clay ones and it worked pretty good but it cracked when we had a rainstorm move through while it was still burning hot.

Also, did you have yours sitting on the ground or on a stand? Did you have a layer of sand in the bottom of it?

rizzle · 07-06-2009, 10:10 AM

Vin, I got you covered on this one. We went through the same thing, burning out a couple of them over a couple of years and then we got this one from Front Gate. We've had it for at least 4-5 years, it stays out in the elements year round with just a cover over it. Of course you can stow it away if you want as well. And it's big enough, 40 inches, that you can put more than a 6 inch splinter in it to burn. I recommend it without hesitation.

http://www.frontgate.com/jump.jsp?it...roductID=18655

massphatness · 07-06-2009, 08:44 PM

Nice fire pit, Ritchie. The price made me gulp a little. Do you have either the spark catcher or the vinyl cover?

07-06-2009, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by massphatness

Nice fire pit, Ritchie. The price made me gulp a little. Do you have either the spark catcher or the vinyl cover?

WOW me too.

I'm building the wrong stuff

Chas

Smokin Gator · 07-06-2009, 08:48 PM

Vin... I know this is about as redneck as it gets... but I have had several of these over the years. Look on Craigslist etc. for a 22 inch Weber kettle grille. Cut the legs in half. You have an instant killer fire pit.

HK3- · 07-06-2009, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Fernando

I bet he can (re)move an asshole when you are up there in July

That made me laugh out loud Don!

Sorry, I'm no help Vin. We used to use a 55 gallon drum to burn stuff in. I don't think that would look so good out back in the yard...

Scottw · 07-06-2009, 09:15 PM

I have a copper one that has endured 4 years of torment. It has never been covered so I has oxidized to an extent (basically got really darkened) but it is portable and it comes apart. I'll see if I can get a pic when it's light out

N2Advnture · 07-07-2009, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by massphatness

Bought a clay fire pit from Lowes this past spring, and we've been enjoying the occassional fire in the back yard. Last night, the bottom literally fell out of the thing.

So now I'm in the market for a new one. Any suggestions? I'm leery of going back to clay because it lasted all of maybe 10 fires. I want something semi-portable that can be stored under the deck when not in use.

I have this same problem with clay pots. It's typically due to the expansion of moisture when left outside over the winter months. If you get another, try bringing it inside or putting it in your garage (I know, kind of defeats the purpose

)

07-07-2009, 09:21 AM

wow...

$350 for a fire pit??

Out here, we just use the drum from an old washing machine.

Already ventilated and aerated...burns great.

07-06-2009, 06:31 AM	#1
massphatness Where's my buffaloooo ... Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Vin Location: MassHolia Posts: 12,690 Trading: (206)	Fire Pits Bought a clay fire pit from Lowes this past spring, and we've been enjoying the occassional fire in the back yard. Last night, the bottom literally fell out of the thing. So now I'm in the market for a new one. Any suggestions? I'm leery of going back to clay because it lasted all of maybe 10 fires. I want something semi-portable that can be stored under the deck when not in use. __________________ *Help Support The Navy SEAL Foundation: HERE*

07-06-2009, 07:00 AM	#2
newcigarz Smoke and Mirrors Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: On the bottom shelf Posts: 3,139 Trading: (15)	Re: Fire Pits I had one like this back in CT. Worked great and built to last. http://www.charbroil.com/Consumer/pr...uctSeriesID=10

07-06-2009, 07:09 AM	#3
dunng MassHole Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Greg Location: MassHole Posts: 4,719 Trading: (59)	Re: Fire Pits Hole in the ground... __________________ MassHole Banter

07-06-2009, 08:09 AM	#5
Don Fernando Postwhore Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Ferdinand Location: Singapore Posts: 10,070 Trading: (29)	Re: Fire Pits go for something like this __________________ check out my reviews on my blog.

07-06-2009, 09:04 AM	#11
taltos Really, really old Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Paul Location: Saugus, MA Posts: 2,486 Trading: (3)	Re: Fire Pits Vin, check out Walmart, they have several steel firepits for under $100. I bought a Coleman from them about 5 years ago and it is still going strong at my brother in law's place in New Hampshire. __________________ Jimmy, some of its magic, some of its tragic, but I had a good life all the way. He Went to Paris, J. Buffett

07-06-2009, 09:53 AM	#12
macpappy Rider on the storm. Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Slidell, LA Posts: 851 Trading: (0)	Re: Fire Pits I've had a heavy cast iron one for a couple of years now. I had one of the clay ones and it worked pretty good but it cracked when we had a rainstorm move through while it was still burning hot. Also, did you have yours sitting on the ground or on a stand? Did you have a layer of sand in the bottom of it? __________________ WARNING: I am a Southern White Male. I have a brain and I know how to use it.

07-06-2009, 10:10 AM	#13
rizzle Order Restored Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: st pete, fl Posts: 2,679 Trading: (23)	Re: Fire Pits Vin, I got you covered on this one. We went through the same thing, burning out a couple of them over a couple of years and then we got this one from Front Gate. We've had it for at least 4-5 years, it stays out in the elements year round with just a cover over it. Of course you can stow it away if you want as well. And it's big enough, 40 inches, that you can put more than a 6 inch splinter in it to burn. I recommend it without hesitation. http://www.frontgate.com/jump.jsp?it...roductID=18655

07-06-2009, 08:44 PM	#14
massphatness Where's my buffaloooo ... Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Vin Location: MassHolia Posts: 12,690 Trading: (206)	Re: Fire Pits Nice fire pit, Ritchie. The price made me gulp a little. Do you have either the spark catcher or the vinyl cover? __________________ *Help Support The Navy SEAL Foundation: HERE*

07-06-2009, 08:48 PM	#16
Smokin Gator Just plain insane! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The Swamp Posts: 6,237 Trading: (106)	Re: Fire Pits Vin... I know this is about as redneck as it gets... but I have had several of these over the years. Look on Craigslist etc. for a 22 inch Weber kettle grille. Cut the legs in half. You have an instant killer fire pit. __________________ Check out the Cigar Asylum Newbie Sampler Trade

07-06-2009, 09:15 PM	#18
Scottw Going Commando Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Scott Location: Sussex, NJ Posts: 2,817 Trading: (6)	Re: Fire Pits I have a copper one that has endured 4 years of torment. It has never been covered so I has oxidized to an extent (basically got really darkened) but it is portable and it comes apart. I'll see if I can get a pic when it's light out Last edited by Scottw; 07-06-2009 at 09:16 PM. Reason: typo

07-07-2009, 09:21 AM	#20
tobii3 Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Fire Pits wow... $350 for a fire pit?? Out here, we just use the drum from an old washing machine. Already ventilated and aerated...burns great.