OK I figured I could share my latest small project.
I have wanted a propane fire pit for awhile, when camping in burn ban areas they are still allowed. Off the shelf ones are great, but are also pretty big. I wanted portable. I had made one before, it was a little ghetto, but worked. I had a brain wave one night, ammo can would make a great housing for a fire pit!
I used a 50 cal can I had.
Bend up a burner shape that you like and fits in the box. I used 3/8" soft copper tubing.
Drill hole in can for gas connection. I did mine down a bit lower in the can, this lets more store the regulator and hose in the can, but makes it a bit less efficient for heat output, the can sides direct it upwards.
I used a large washer to reinforce the area around the hole. The connection is made with a 3/8 flare by 1/2" female NPT adapter on the outside. A 3/8 crush olive fitting by 1/2" male for the copper pipe connection on the inside. The washer also help space out the thickness so when you tighten the two halves they are tight to the ammo can wall also.
Drill holes in burner. I used a 7/64 drill bit. I skipped a few holes, and did a test fire, decided I wanted them all. Went back and drilled them. You can see the burner side of the gas connection here too.
Test the hole pattern, you can add more as needed to get even ish flames. Lava rocks will be added that help spread it out a bit too. This was also on a low pressure regulator I had laying around, I have a 0-20psi one that I use now.
I used a piece of expanded metal to do two things, one to support the burner and two to keep it from just being a full can of lava rock.... I cut and bent it to sit just under the burner.
Fit in the can, I had to cut a bit of a notch for the burner connection.
Burner in place with the expanded metal.
With the lava rock in place this time. Also with the new regulator. Just above minimum pressure. Nice little fire. The rock definitely helps spread/retain the heat.
About half way up on gas pressure, it can get big!
And the hose regulator fits inside! its a little sooty in there though. I may try a venturi for burn air at some point, but keeping it rich makes for the nice yellow flames.
