Fire pits!
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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 heat
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Spot on Fysh it speaks to our inner caveman
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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!
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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!0 -
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.
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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.
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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.0 -
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
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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.Write your comments here...Sounds like heaven to me!
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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.
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