How to Build an Ammo Can Camp Fire Pit
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- Опубликовано: 25 окт 2022
- With fire bans being more common each year, propane camp fire pits are becoming the standard to keep warm. I'll show you how to build an ammo can camp fire pit using a 50 cal ammo can.
Im trying a new series called "3 Minute Builds". Let me know what you think. They might be shorter or longer than 3 minutes, but I try to get straight to the point on How-To without all the extra explanation. This will be for small DIY type projects only.
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Parts List: Total $134.46 - These can be sourced cheaper if you shop around.
50 Cal. Ammo Can (1 @ $19.98) - amzn.to/3DwhuwX
Stainless Mesh (1 @ $14.33) - amzn.to/3TIkVaD
LP Air Mixer (1 @ $15.99) - amzn.to/3DAInAQ
1/2 NPT to 3/8 Flare (1 @ $9.95) - amzn.to/3gMIsZ8
1/2 x 3/8 Reducing Coupling (1 @ $3.11) - www.homedepot.com/p/Southland...
3/8 Cap (4 @ $3.11) - www.homedepot.com/p/Southland...
3/8 TEE (3 @ $4.55) - www.homedepot.com/p/Southland...
3/8 x Close Nipple (2 @ $2.15) - www.homedepot.com/p/Southland...
3/8 x 4 Nipple (5 @ $3.41) - www.homedepot.com/p/STZ-3-8-i...
Adjustable Regulator (1 @ $23.66) - amzn.to/3U4HZQF
Tool List:
Makita Drill/Impact combo I use: amzn.to/3rJM5S8
Arrow Pop Rivet Gun: amzn.to/3W7kfNt
7/8 Hole Saw w/ Arbor: amzn.to/3W1iUYJ
2-1/8 Hole Saw: amzn.to/3gNYH8B
File or Deburring Tool: amzn.to/3Dydg98
Tin Snips (WISS): amzn.to/3FgkRdL
Drill Bit Set: amzn.to/3sEsZNq
Angle Grinder I use: amzn.to/3W7h2h6 
Хобби
I fixed the problem. I drilled 6 holes instead of 3 per 4" tube and finished the backfire. This phenomenon is due to the pressure of the gas, unable to exit freely through the holes which were not numerous enough. This creates a gas return to the nearest external source, the aerator holes. Problem solved!
Thank you for this! I haven’t had any issues, but haven’t had to use it this last year. I saw others were having the issues. I’ll mention it in the description with credit to you, for others to see.
Absouletly GREAT
I did this project in a larger M61 ammo box l18xw8xh16. I did everything as you did except I replace the middle T with a 4 way connector that allowed me to add a support to the H burner to rest on the bottom. I also used 1/2 water pipe and the H burner is about 4" off the bottom. It works Fantastic!!! thanks Dave
In hopes to lower cost, I’m considering going with a single 1/2” pipe that is 10” long, rather than the H shape. Do you see any disadvantages to that set up? Difference in parts is ~$40
Leave the side mesh off... invert the table mesh and pop rivet to the sides
I don't know how I ended up going from looking at servicing my Springfield EMP, to self-resetting targets to buy, to propane ammo can fire pits.... But this was the nicest looking build on RUclips i've come across. Love it. A bit more hands on than the others with the custom H-Pipe. But maaaan it looks a lot cleaner!
I’m glad to hear the RUclips Rabbit Hole brought you here! I get lost in it all the time! 😂
One of the best diy setups yet, great burner !
Thank You!
Built 1 long time ago but used copper line for the manifold. Those longer rivets will work for holding a lil grill in place.
Good tip. I thought about making it a grill
Thanks for the video Dave I am going to build one this week.
Just finished my ammo can fire pit and it turned out great, wish I could share a picture!! Thank you very much for the detailed instructions!!😀🔥
Easy to follow directions! Thanks.
Excellent build! I build a lot of camping stoves, and they are typically rocket stoves. I'll have to give this one a try! I'll make sure to give you a shout out when I build it! Thanks!
Great job I enjoyed watching your video keep it up I'm a fan thanks for sharing
This is an awesome project and Dave really hit it out of the park for providing build info along with links. Thanks Dave
Very nice and simple.
Thanks!
Thank you😊
Thank you sir! Just built mine to your specs and it’s working great! Much appreciated!
Thanks for coming back and sharing! 🤘
Saw this linked in a fb group. Love the style, and quality of the video. Subbed less than minute in👍👍
Awesome, thanks James!
A very clean build. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you!!
Thanks for the video. I’d like to try it with a PA-120 40mm ammo can. Do you think it’s too big or would work?
Nice!
Great video, this costs a little more but by fare cleaner and better build. Just put mine together. What size drill bit did you use.thanks
This channels gonna blow up mark my words
I would be ok with that! 😁.
Unless that’s a pun on blowing myself up in the shop playing with propane and power tools 😂😂
Love quick and to the point......great video, thanks.
Awesome, Thanks! And thanks for the feedback 🙌
Built mine just like yours, used it and worked great. One issue that I'm not sure how to fix. The hose end got so hot that the rubber pulled out of the clamp. How can I correct this
I built one of these and used the same sort of burner set up and the same hose. My hose connection gets so hot that it starts to melt the hose…. I’m wondering if there is a higher temp rated hose 🤔
This looks easy enough for me to do! What are your thoughts on using a small propane tank hooked up directly to the flare? Thanks for posting!
I wouldn’t recommend it. I’d get a hose for sure to keep the bottle away from the heat.
Hay can u build this double box in one to make bigger cook space weld them together
Awesome thanks for sharing! I just saw one of these and thought it was a cool idea. I'm in Cali, lots of fire bans here too
No problem and glad you enjoyed! Yea, California is definitely getting more restrictive. Unfortunately common sense for safe camp fires isnt so common. So it hurts the majority.
@@adv_mnd Fire safety, leave no trace, tread lightly...who raised these kids lol?
Hi great video. Does the 8ft hose fit inside the ammo can when not in use?
Unfortunately not with the grate and rocks I have. Not enough room above, plus the rigidity of the hose makes that harder to do regardless.
Question it’s been awhile since you made this video. But have you had any issues with the propane hose melting?
How are the rivets standing up against the heat?
Nice build. Now to figure out some foldable legs to get the can up off the ground!
I was debating doing that in the future. Something using 1x1 aluminum angle I think.
How has that black spray paint been holding up? I’m currently building a fire pit based on your video and it’s coming along great! Thanks for taking the time to make the vid.
Question-are most military grade ammo cans painted with a lead based paint? In which case, would/could that be a problem or large health concern with repetitive exposure?
Older cans possibly, but nothing new should be using lead paint. If there are concerns, reach out to whoever you are sourcing your cans from as they are the only ones who can properly answer that question.
Do you have any versions of this using waste oil? Seems like a great cheaper alternative to propane and if done right waste oil can produce little to no smoke probably not as emissions friendly as propane but much better than burning wood or coal.
Unfortunately no. The sole reason I built one of these is for our local fire bans in Colorado when camping. Needs to be a propane style fire with a controllable flame.
Great Video! Was the size of your close connections that hold the tees in the center 3/8 inch as well? I don't see a link for them.
The short threaded stub? It’s down there called the 3/8” Close Nipple. The picture looks longer, but it’s that one. Or did you mean a different part?
@@adv_mnd At 4:25 in the video, you called them “close connections”. Are those what you’re referring to?
Ah yes, they are referred to as “close nipples” and 3/8 pipe thread
@@adv_mnd Thank you for the help👍.
shorter is ALWAYS better on RUclips.
My wife doesn’t agree with you…….
Oh, you mean videos, I agree with ya
Hey Dave can you use galvanized instead of the black steel fight and also what do you think about using 1/4 inch pipe instead of the 3/8 pipe as a way of conserving when you out for a few day's camping. Just a suggestion. Thanks Dave your design is the cleanest I have seen on RUclips
Galvanized, you run risk of burning of the zinc coating which can be toxic. Google search galvanized pipe in fire pits. If you wanted to run a smaller size, I’d opt for the builds where people coil up copper tubing.
I was thinking of copper pipping instead
Just wondering does the size of pipe really matter vs the size and number or holes drilled?
Just built one using your video. Do you have any ideas on how long the fire pit can run on a low/medium setting?
Not entirely sure. I’ll try to do a weight test this weekend. Weigh propane tank, run it for an hour, then weight again to see how much was used.
I built this, with 8, 7/64 holes it used up a 20lb propane tank in about 10 hours, thinking I may pick up 4 more pipes and try a 1/16” hole instead, my goal was to possibly get a 3 hour fire out of a 1 lb tank.
The link for the air mixer on Amazon gives two options. A 90k BTU and 150k BTU. Do you know which one you used?
Just looked at my order. I used the 150K one for $15.99
I built this, with 8, 7/64 holes it used up a 20lb propane tank in about 10 hours (Friday night 4 hours, Saturday morning 2 hours Saturday night 4 hours ran out very quickly on Sunday morning less than an hour), thinking I may pick up 4 more pipes and try a 1/16” hole instead, my goal was to possibly get a 3 hour fire out of a 1 lb tank. I also got the 90k mixer not the 150k, might also put in lava rock to see if it is dispersed if I could turn it down a little bit. Legs are definitely a necessity, it did burn some of the pine straw I set it on.
FYI 20lb tank (4.5 gallons) lasting about 10 hours is producing heat at 42,000 btu/hour. If you want to get 3 hours out of 1 lb of propane, that would be 30,000 btu/hour. So about 1/4 less heat per hour.
@@NVPJ Thank you for the information, I know its a long shot, but what is the math used to figure out the btu/hour? I tried the 1/16" holes, and they were not big enough for the air mixer valve and the fire proceeded to come out the air holes in the mixer valve. I up sized the amount of holes until this stopped happening and it ended up being 12 1/16" holes, the lava rock definitely helped with the diffusion of flames, but it does now seem to burn the "trapped" propane for quite some time after I turn the gas off, I wonder if adding some lower holes to let the gas escape would help with that.
where did you buy the air mixer?? can i get it in Lowes or home depot?
I got mine from Amazon
amzn.to/3HQ4RAl
I don’t know about in-store at those. I searched Home Depot and it only shows to order online for me.
Hey dave do the propane hose get hot in the connection
The connection does, yea. I usually let it cool before I pack anything away anyways. I think that’ll be common with most propane stoves like this.
Well done sir. I don't have any tools, do you have it for sale?
Thanks! And no, I don’t sell, or plan to sell any of these. If you don’t have the tools, look at the Lavabox, Ignik or Tacticool brands
Any idea if it would work with a 1 lb bottle... how long a burn per pound?
I’m not sure on the per pound burn rate. All would vary based off how much you crank it up. A 1lb should work, but you’d have to run it off the same regulator set up as I do and then just do an adapter from the 1lb to the regulator.
What size are the washer? @dave
Good catch. Missed those. I believe it was these 3/4” Zinc washers ($0.56 ea at Home Depot)
www.homedepot.com/p/3-4-in-Zinc-Flat-Washer-804616/204633090
I built one and just got done testing it. Have you had any issues flames exiting through the propane mixer holes?
😳 No, I haven’t seen or heard of that happening.
Same problem for me...???
I fixed the problem. I drilled 6 holes instead of 3 per 4" tube and finished the backfire. This phenomenon is due to the pressure of the gas, unable to exit freely through the holes which were not numerous enough. This creates a gas return to the nearest external source, the aerator holes. Problem solved!
Have you considered an inline flashback arrestor?
No, I never really planned to use one. Kind of followed suit of all the other fire pits out there. Did some googling after reading your comment, since I wasn’t 100%. I kept seeing things like “not required since there is no oxygen in the cylinder”. Unless you have like a oxy-fuel cutting set up. But doesn’t seem to be needed on BBQ/Fire out set ups.
@@adv_mnd That's interesting you found so much "not required." I have been trained on oxy-fuel which is what made me think about, but even then, the oxygen and fuel are separate hoses...interesting. I found your video because I'm thinking of converting an electric smoker to propane and I'm researching the conversion cost vs buying one. I think I'll use one even though it will be only propane due to how sealed everything is. Just makes me nervous. Thank you for all the details!! Now it would be nice know if there is some sort of calculation for BTU per hole drilled or something.
What's the thread ?
Black pipe thread? It’s just a standard 3/8 pipe thread. Links to the exact items with all the info is in the description.