Propane Fire Pits

[conner1976]

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

hi conner'

wouldn't ya just know it there, is a vermiculite INSTITUTE ? no kidding!

http://www.vermiculiteinstitute.org/

the product size used in the fire dancer is closer to LENTILS than sand...

larger than saw dust, smaller than wood chips, about like uncooked rolled oats...

i think this is called "expanded" vermiculite.

it does break down with friction and become more powder/sand like.

there is a picture at the BOTTOM of this link, the MIDDLE one is your objective.

http://www.vermiculite.net/

of course there is no scale in the picture for sizing but think 1/4 inch size...

cheers
2air'

thank you so much for the clarification. i kinda figured i'd need something a little bit bigger than sand. herein lies my problem. i can't find anything bigger than sand/ash bed vermiculite. i've checked all the fireplace shops, home improvement and hardware stores in my local area. do you have any suggestions as to where i can find this stuff? i am t- 8 days until the camping trip. HELLLLLLLLLP!!! :P

[2airishuman]

you are welcome AND WELCOME TO THE FORUMS!

i've purchased it a garden supply shops.

even the 'expanded stuff' is dusty when opened, poured and handled.

but once it's poured into the pit, it settles, and the 1/4 inch (rice sized) bits are near the surface.

might wanna just buy a bag of whatever and try it....

basically this is just a light pile of stuff the gas percolates up through to flame on the surface.

the company that makes the 'dancer may also sell replacement bags of 'the good stuff!'

http://www.hillydidit.com/faq.asp

the advantage over lava stones is NO HEAT retention in the fluff which would be a worry 4 me in these things.

cheers
2air'

[HiHoAgRV]

I'm pretty sure it's the same stuff as swimming pool filter sand. It seems the last (it Is and Was the last) time I changed the filter media in my filter, the bags were vermiculite. Kinda like chunky sand.

[doorgunner]

Well I finally got back to this fire pit project.
I tried a 11"w.c. regulator first. It did not have enough get up and go to keep all the holes flaming in a 5 mph breeze. Lucky for me I had a 28"w.c. regulator waiting in the shop. After this change out I got immediate full ignition all the way around the 24" ring. Flames were shooting out about 10 inches. Nice, this is more like it. Now I'll see what putting a control valve after the regulator does for me. I would like to be able to turn down the flame. maybe.
And I'll be making the tray to hold the lava rock I've acquired then bolting the whole shebang together for final assembly. This thing really puts out. I'll also run a WOT test to see how much fuel is consumed,

[jimmini]

We use a very nice SS 18" camp fire from New Frontier camp fire inc.It DOSE come with a COOKING plate if you want to COOK with it.The hole unit is NOT CHEAP.

www.portablecampfire.com/portpro.htm

Only problem with them is when fire restrictions are on in the west, camp hosts/Ranger have to come to your camp and check that it is propane because the woods are full of people that run to them and say they have a fire going or see our's and start a wood fire of there owen and then the host or ranger tells them to put it out and they say well thay have one over there and point to my propane one.I have so many stories about host/ranger and our campfire that some times I do not use it to save problems.

[doorgunner]

Jimmini;
Why would you let some snivvellers stop you from using your campfire?? They are the uninformed ones! Get a few more of them and rent them out!!
I checked out your unit online- looks very high quality/ $250 seems about right for stainless steel. Light it up
For me I needed a larger "party" size so I've scrounged parts. So far I'm into it for $160, not bad for a 36" diameter fire pit.

P.S. Jimmini BTW it's "THE FEW,THE PROUD, THE MARINES..

[doorgunner]

Here's a few pics of the parts used. I ended up with an adjustable 0-15 PSI regulator, added a shut off valve, just because I had one.
Underside pic shows the 1/2 pipe with a brass mixer installed, this allows me to adjust the induced air into the propane mix so that there is no sooty flame,kinda nice.
Initial test at a medium setting show fuel consumption at 2 1/4 gallons per hour,
It gets hot. 206,100 BTU.
I decided to use lava rock, I got some at Lowe's and some that was just laying around the planet.
So there you have it, I'll post a few more pics after next weeks Forum Rally.