Fire pits!

Merve
Merve Forum Participant Posts: 2,333
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I have posted this in this section for good reason Mods- read on. Who uses a Fire Pit when away on site? Now, I know if you use exclusively Club sites It's not an option but on many CLs- particularly non EHU CLs it is. This may be of interest for anyone
reading the BBQ thread. Sometime ago I purchased a Weber 'Go anywhere' charcoal BBQ (what else??) It is small, will take all the kit you need like BBQ tools, lighters etc inside it and, as all Weber stuff is, very well made being enamelled to the outside and
inside surfaces. I took it away to obviously have the odd BBQ but then became aware that it was so the right size, the right height and of the right construction that it made it perfect for a second allied use- a fire pit. Take all the grills and bottom plate
out and you have a perfect container complete with adjustable airflow for a fire pit. I have also been fortunate that dead wood has been lying around on or near the non EHU sites I have visited. So I tried it! Perfect. Sitting next to a fire when the sun has
gone down with that nip in the air is heaven. Not only that, but with a good bed of hot embers, the grill is popped back on, the BBQ cooked and then remove the grill and pop more wood on! Don't know about you but sitting eating BBQ food next to a fire is just
one experience of life that I find irresistible- and the wood didn't cost anything so no expensive charcoal used or transported!! 

Comments

  • Surfer
    Surfer Forum Participant Posts: 1,302
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    edited August 2016 #2

    When the coals get low in the evening make yourself a toasted cheese and tomato sandwich.  We have the Smoky Joe and it fits nicely into the front locker on our caravan next to the Safefill bottle.

  • Fysherman
    Fysherman Forum Participant Posts: 1,570
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    edited August 2016 #3

    Be careful doing this chaps and chappesses.

    We used to do it a lot as we both like a fire but in France the logs burnt through the bottom of the barbie and dropped the whole lot on the deck.

    We were on a site in a pine forest at the time.Yell

  • Merve
    Merve Forum Participant Posts: 2,333
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    edited August 2016 #4

    Thanks for the warning Fysherman but what were you using?? An old aluminium saucepan LOL!  If using a cheaper pit, make sure it's fit for purpose. A piece of steel plate in the bottom would be a good idea if not. No problems with the Weber- cleans up to brand new condition again. I always use mine a good distance from the van and always on a non igniting surface- oh and a bottle or container of water just in case- never needed it.

  • Fysherman
    Fysherman Forum Participant Posts: 1,570
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    edited August 2016 #5

    Must admit the barbie had seen considerable "action" all over the place.Cool

    Burning logs, pine needles and a bottle of Ricard was not the ideal combination buy hey we are still here and we did not spill the Ricard.

     

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,828 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #6

    I have memories of a site where there were about two dozen fire bowls for people to use -  made of quarter inch steel and about a metre across. Families came back in an afternoon from walks in the forest carrying or dragging fallen branches - and long into
    the night they were sitting out around fires that were twinkling across the wide valley floor.

    Another world. It was in Switzerland, a few miles down the Engadine from St Moritz. 

  • Fysherman
    Fysherman Forum Participant Posts: 1,570
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    edited August 2016 #7

    Magical moment ET.

    Probably get some busy body in a hi viz and a fire extinguisher hassling you these days.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited August 2016 #8

    Folk sat round outside? Was there no TV reception? Happy

    I don't watch TV more than a very little as I generally would prefer to watch paint dry

  • Rocky 2 buckets
    Rocky 2 buckets Forum Participant Posts: 7,101
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    edited August 2016 #9

    I have a cast iron FP on legs in the garden & agree with everyone-nothing more hypnotic than a fire, not good for conversation mind as everyone is mesmerised by the flames & seduced by the heatHappy

  • Fysherman
    Fysherman Forum Participant Posts: 1,570
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    edited August 2016 #10

    It's quite primordial the feeling you get.

    Probably had an ancestor who's job it was to keep the sabre tooth away from the cave with a fire.Smile

  • Rocky 2 buckets
    Rocky 2 buckets Forum Participant Posts: 7,101
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    edited August 2016 #11

    Spot on Fysh it speaks to our inner cavemanCool

  • Merve
    Merve Forum Participant Posts: 2,333
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    edited August 2016 #12

    I have memories of a site where there were about two dozen fire bowls for people to use -  made of quarter inch steel and about a metre across. Families came back in an afternoon from walks in the forest carrying or dragging fallen branches - and long into the night they were sitting out around fires that were twinkling across the wide valley floor.

    Another world. It was in Switzerland, a few miles down the Engadine from St Moritz. 

    What can one say to that? Sounds absolutely fabulous. You just don't want to leave a nice fire at night- your arm almost puts more logs on by itself!  I love it. Just nice to get away from all the comforts once in a while, stare into the flames and have a damn good think!

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited August 2016 #13

    Sure is the caveman/woman in us - I can't do without a real fire!  It is the frequency of the flames that gets the brain going to the right tempo.  If you ever get round to visit here Merve fires are obligatory! 

  • Merve
    Merve Forum Participant Posts: 2,333
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    edited August 2016 #14

    Obligatory here too Pippah. Just the peaceful end to a day I love- a warming friendly glow! 

  • DSB
    DSB Club Member Posts: 5,666 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #15

    Although the CC don't allow fire pits, some sites will actually hire them out.  I know Chy Carnet site on the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall used to, although I have never been there myself.

    David 

  • Merve
    Merve Forum Participant Posts: 2,333
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    edited August 2016 #16

    Yes I would imagine them being popular David. When I went to join my daughter and SIL a couple of years ago in Dorset on a camping site for a week, we sat around at night with our sleeping bags on while many of the other campers sat around a fire pit! Yes,
    what a difference one makes! 

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited August 2016 #17

    Has anyone made their own charcoal - I saw it done on - I think Countryfile the other day and thought - what a great idea! 

  • RoyandBev
    RoyandBev Forum Participant Posts: 84
    edited August 2016 #18

    There are very few of us that don’t love the warmth and glow of a fire pit even better if dusk in the winter, spring or autumn the glow of the sun barely in the sky. The experience is enhanced by the smell of cooking meat or fish, a chilled beer and a comfy
    chair.

    Add a waterside location and you have about perfection no TV no mobile phone and no tab I suspect any site offering that faculty would need to be booked up well in advance.

  • Surfer
    Surfer Forum Participant Posts: 1,302
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    edited August 2016 #19

    Any one tried the Swedish fire torch?  Works very well.

  • Fysherman
    Fysherman Forum Participant Posts: 1,570
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    edited August 2016 #20

    Any one tried the Swedish fire torch?  Works very well.

    Never heard of it so I googled it.

    Looks great, going to give it a try.

  • PrestonDave
    PrestonDave Forum Participant Posts: 67
    edited August 2016 #21

    I have a special pair of old jeans to wear while fire pit sitting, they have one or two holes in from flying wood sparks,mostly caused by warming the mulled wine in an old stainless steel pan on the pit as a nightcap. 

  • Merve
    Merve Forum Participant Posts: 2,333
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    edited August 2016 #22

    You're getting into the spirit of this Dave!- literally! 

  • Merve
    Merve Forum Participant Posts: 2,333
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    edited August 2016 #23

    Any one tried the Swedish fire torch?  Works very well.

    I've seen it but never tried it. Not sure I would want to take a big log with me and I doubt I would find one on site! Needs to be well seasoned timber- looks good though. 

  • Outdoor Lady
    Outdoor Lady Forum Participant Posts: 127
    edited September 2016 #24

    We also use an old bbq as a fire pit and use the grill part to put a pizza stone on and cook pizza, absolute bliss sitting outside in the late evening enjoying pizza and the 'odd' glass of wine. we find it best on the cl's where it's quieter and we can watch
    the night time wildlife. Winking

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,857 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #25

    We were once on a site in Germany bordering the River Neckar and they had several fire pits along the river in the tent area. The pits were made out of old lorry wheel rims. Not suggesting anyone tries carting one around with them but they seemed to do the
    job.

     I do hope that people that enjoy such things also take into account any near neighbours who might not share the same enthusiasm. A couple of times on sites abroad we have almost ended up like smoked kippers because of the proximity of people burning wood.

    David

  • Merve
    Merve Forum Participant Posts: 2,333
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    edited September 2016 #26

    We also use an old bbq as a fire pit and use the grill part to put a pizza stone on and cook pizza, absolute bliss sitting outside in the late evening enjoying pizza and the 'odd' glass of wine. we find it best on the cl's where it's quieter and we can watch
    the night time wildlife. Winking

    Write your comments here...Sounds like heaven to me!

  • Merve
    Merve Forum Participant Posts: 2,333
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    edited September 2016 #27

    We were once on a site in Germany bordering the River Neckar and they had several fire pits along the river in the tent area. The pits were made out of old lorry wheel rims. Not suggesting anyone tries carting one around with them but they seemed to do the
    job.

     I do hope that people that enjoy such things also take into account any near neighbours who might not share the same enthusiasm. A couple of times on sites abroad we have almost ended up like smoked kippers because of the proximity of people burning wood.

    David

    Yes, it's a very good point David. You'll see me throwing dead grass into the air before I light a fire- if the wind is blowing in the wrong direction, we go without until better conditions prevail.