Hey everybody.

So do any of you use a fire pan when in the backcountry? Specifically I’m looking for a lightweight one for backpacking after getting to a strip in the Frank. For all the “Leave no trace” policy pushed by tree huggers and the USFS, there sure aren’t very many options on the market. The Bobby Eco Fire Pit looked like an option but it appears to no longer be in business. REI has a small one, but smaller than I’m looking for (it’s more for cooking).

I’m hoping to plan a multi day hike for June and would like to have a campfire solution before then. I did find these. Anyone ever use them?

https://trenddeals.net/products/portable-fire-pit

This is the small one from REI.

https://www.rei.com/product/176300/wolf-and-grizzly-fire-safe

This is more of what I had in mind. Granted it may be bulkier and heavier than I’d want to carry.



This one could be good for just plane camping.

https://cascaderivergear.com/shop/fireside-pop-up-fire-pit/

I guide on the Salmon river as a working hobby during the summer. We use all Partner Steel stuff, granted, it's heavier, but I see they make lighter options and might custom make you something if you'd like.

https://partnersteel.com/cook-partner-accessories

i have one of the pop up fire pits. It works well, about the same dimensions at a roll up table. One thing i didnt think of was how complete the burn is when on top of the stainless screen. Not many coals left over. Wood does seem to go faster, but complies to the rules.

Most rafting fire pans are very heavy. Like 25 pounds. For light trips we sometimes use an oil drain pan.

Unless something has changed, fire pans are only required for rafters. Be smart about where and how you build a fire and nobody will even know you built one.

Some simple tips:

Don't build next to rocks or use rock rings...they accomplish nothing but leave fire-scarred rocks behind. Scrape an area down to mineral soil in a location where doing that will disturb the least amount of vegetation, and put the duff and top soil aside to cover the area when you leave. Use lots of small pieces of wood rather than large pieces...they burn cleaner and leave fewer charcoal pieces and the fire will be out in the morning. Build a small fire and sit closer to it.

When you leave make sure it's out by running your hand through all the ashes and then rake the topsoil and duff back over the burn area.

Make a game of it to see just how invisible your fireplace can be when you leave.

That’s an interesting point. A good part of hiking will be along the rivers that seem to be marked differently than beyond a certain distance from the river. Maybe that’s where the rules for rafters come into play. As for the rest, I’m well practiced from years of fire fighting and how we had to leave certain areas. I actually had a Forest Service guy years ago let me build a fire down off the river at Indian Creek when I told him my background. Since this gets to be a touchy subject, just trying to figure out how I’ll need to approach it.

Thanks for the input everyone. Found this one too. Still bigger than I’d want to carry though.

Pop-Up Fire Pit Ultra Lite | FULLSIZE 24" | Weighs just 3.2lbs. | Never Rust Fire Pit | Extra Duty Mesh Holds 80 lbs. of Firewood | Heat Shield Optional for Leave No Trace Fires (Pop-Up Pit UltraLite) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YVL9YBP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_FUzZEbR8TYC8X

An 18"x18" piece of 0.024" 304 stainless is $20.66 at McMaster-Carr, and about two pounds. Bend a little lip on it, fire away? Or pick a sheet size like 12x24 and slide it into a backpack?

I don't know what tree huggers have to do with any of this. Fire pans are a practical solution to how 99% of the public use fire (badly) in the backcountry.

I recommend a lightweight ash pail. The lid is great with a little mineral sand in it to make them last longer, and the pail setup is useful for storage of items and for using as a practical Dutch oven for trout bouilliabaise or potroast stew, and cleans up with sand.

When not glamping, I'd be embarrassed if anyone could determine I had camped where I've stopped for the evening after I left. In the colder weather when a fire is welcome, the advice given by Hammer is generally all that is required to achieve that.

I would not bother. I just use an existing fire ring that was left by the previous person

https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5052-075/ ... 26-Firepit

MEC is Canadian but I'm sure there a source south of the border

I agree with Hammers approach in conjunction with building a Dakota Fire Pit. Its one method of having a stealth/no trace fire.
Its initially more labor intensive than simply building a fire on the surface. However the energy required to make a Dakota fire hole is more than offset by its efficient consumption of fuel. It greatly reduces the amount of firewood required to cook meals, treat water or warm your body.
I prefer the 'minimalist' approach when backpacking but when a stove is required my wife and I use the titanium tri caldera cone cooking system from trail designs. I bought one when they first came out and continue using it to this day with no problems.

https://www.traildesigns.com/products/classic-ti-tri

This is a little farther afield, but since you mentioned backpacking: I've been using a firebox stove for 95% of my cooking when camping for the last 6 or so years.
If there's no good option for a camp fire the firebox is a viable option for some ambiance as well. My kids love running around and finding little sticks on the ground to feed it with. It burns everything cleanly and completely and catches the ash in a tray for easy gathering later.

https://www.fireboxstove.com/5%E2%80%8B-g2-firebox

He's also developed a titanium version ($$) which saves some weight.

I don’t own one, but I think the Snow Peak fire pits are nice. Well made ( in Japan, not China) and simple.

https://snowpeak.com/products/pack-and- ... ace-st-032

Edit: Looks like they are back ordered at most places and not in stock.

What about one of those fire pit blankets? I have seen them advertised and they look really cool. I don't see why one wouldn't work just fine for an 'under' blanket.