Everyone loves a real wood crackling fire on a cozy evening while camping in a beautiful spot away from it all, the smell and romantic open flame ambiance, but what if there is a fire ban? Can you use a gas fire pit? The Quick Answer: If you are camping in a burn ban area and want the warmth and ambiance of a fire pit, consider portable gas propane fire pits. These produce a controlled flame with no smoke, often aligning with burn ban guidelines. Always follow local regulations and stay updated on burn ban statuses before using a propane fire pit. Some campgrounds may also ban any open flame during extreme fire conditions.
We use our propane fire pit for many other reasons too… you don’t have the smoke problem of having to shift your chairs around when the wind blows and you don’t wake up with puffy eyes. Also it is easy to carry, lightweight, easy to light and very easy to put out when you want to go to bed. No more kicking dirt on the flame and dousing with water, simply turn off the propane. And you don’t have to carry firewood which is quite messy and heavy.
Can I toast marsmallows on a propane campfire?
Usually when we are camping at least once during the trip we can’t resist the opportunity to roast marshmallows or pop the jiffy popcorn. We have found… Yes, you can roast marshmallows on a gas fire pit. However, there are certain considerations to keep in mind to ensure the best experience.
Safety First
- First and foremost, always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions related to your specific fire pit model.
- Before igniting the fire, ensure that there are no leaks or damages to the gas lines. When lighting the pit, stand back to avoid any sudden flare-ups.
- Supervise children and pets as the flame can go quite high. Establish a safety perimeter around the fire that is off limits to children.
- It is important to adjust the flame to medium for safety and also so the marshmallows do not get scorched.
- Also ensure the propane hose is covered so no one trips over it in the excitement of tasting marshmallows or getting warm on a cold night.
- Ensure you purchase your propane from a reputable supplier.
- Never use the propane fire pit indoors and ensure adequate ventilation at all times.
- Never leave the propane fire pit unattended. And when you want to shut the fire down, it will take a little while for it to cool down, which also could be a burn risk.
Does the Gas Affect the Flavor of the Marshmallows?
One of my first concerns was any health risks and the flavor of the marshmallow being affected by the propane gas. I found that propane and natural gas are very clean burning. This means that it is a consistent clean burn and should not impart any gas while roasting and the marshmallow flavors will remain genuine.
The perfect little fire pit for us is….
Camco Portable Propane Little Red Campfire is our pick for many reasons…
It is light, easy to set up and is the warmest we’ve found on the market. Its fully adjustable flame allows us to adjust the height of the flame to perfectly warm on a cold and windy night or roast the perfect marshmallow. The adjustable regulator goes up to 65,000BTU maximum output! The realistic logs are so much better than the volcanic rocks providing a more natural campfire experience. It has a sturdy lid that clips over the fire pit making it easy to transport and store.
We’ve found that is is best to use a 5 pound propane bottle or larger as the 1 pound bottles tend to fall over and leak. Also be careful with the clamps that hold the lid on as they seem to be a flimsy and could break easy. We have found if the fire pit is set at medium it will burn about one pound per hour of propane.
Click here to purchase now on Amazon.
Another great addition to your propane fire pit is the Little Red Campfire cooktop! Great for popping your jiffy pop popcorn! Unfold the legs of the Little Red Campfire Cook Top to create a cooking platform for pots and pans at the perfect height. Legs fold for convenient storage in the included bag.
Or if you have a larger group, Camco 13.25 Inch Big Red Campfire Compact Outdoor Portable Tabletop Propane Heater Fire Pit may be better for just a few dollars more. Another advantage of this larger one is that the lid doubles as a stand for the fire pit. Having the fire pit a bit higher is more convenient and seems more safe too. Bigger is not always better… I still think the smaller Little Red Campfire is perfect for us because it is lighter and I think the logs look more lifelike. I also found the larger one seems to make a whistling noise that the smaller one does not. But check it out for yourself…
Click here to check out the Big Red Campfire.
Remember, while it may not replace the allure of real smoky wood campfires, the Little Red Campfire offers convenience and warmth when you need it most. Happy camping! 🌟🚐🔥