Camp Chef Gas Fire Pit – My Initial Thoughts

Chris HuntAbout the Author: Hi! I'm Chris Hunt, and I wrote this article. With years of experience as a former firefighter and knowledge of combustible materials, I have personally researched and compiled the information presented here. Please note that the content provided is solely my opinion and should not be construed as professional advice. Additionally, I do not guarantee the quality or performance of any of the products featured. Please be sure to review the website's Disclaimer, Terms and Conditions before using the site. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases (without additional cost or expense to you).

We cover a lot of portable fire pits and stoves on our site, and the majority that we come across are compact designs for burning wood or coal. While portable fire pits are often the preferred method for camping fires, you’ll likely encounter areas where this is banned.

Therefore, another great alternative to traditional fire pits is a propane-fueled fire pit that will frequently be an acceptable alternative in places that do not allow wood fires (check the laws and regulations in your camping area).

This article will examine one of those same products in the Camp Chef gas fire ring. First, we’ll look through the features and accessories of this product. Then, we’ll review the pros and cons before concluding our overall verdict.

Key Features

This device is quite a basic model compared to others on our list of the best portable fire pits, but you’ll find it still comes with some valuable features.

Portability

One of the strange things we’ve noticed about this product is that it’s relatively compact and portable, but it requires a propane tank for fuel, which significantly reduces the mobile aspect. In addition, you can’t take this too far from your vehicle, as you’d need to carry the propane tank.

There is, however, a significant benefit to having this propane tank, as a lot of campsites and forests will prohibit the use of wood-burning fires. So this gas-powered product is usually an acceptable alternative, and it’s a way to still use fire without breaking any laws.

** Always check local state laws before using this product.

Performance

The fire ring is straightforward to set up. On first use, you’ll need to fill it with the supplied lava rocks, cover it with the wire mesh (also provided) and set it on high for 10-15 minutes. This method allows the lava rock to develop as a crackle or pop on first use.

After this initial setup, the Camp Chef is reliable and easy to use every time. In addition, it’s relatively quick to start up and does not burn through fuel as quickly as some of the competitor’s products.

With that said, you have control over the flame with the built-in dial. However, it’s pretty limited in flame size, so don’t expect a large roaring fire with this product. The intensity is decent but will only go high above the rocks at around 8″ – 10″.

Best Suited For

We’ll be honest here. This product has a mass appeal to several people. But, to make it easier, we’ll say the only people this product won’t appeal to are backpackers and outdoor enthusiasts who like to build their fire from scratch with wood and rock pits.

The people this product will appeal to are:

  • Campers, RV road trips, tailgaters, and even backyard patio users.
  • People do not want to hassle collecting or buying wood and starting fires from scratch.
  • Those that want a smoke-free fire for warmth or roasting marshmallows with family/friends.
  • People that are tight on space need a portable and compact product.
  • We’ve not mentioned people who don’t want a loud, hissing fire (yet, but this fire pit lets off minimal noise in terms of hissing from the gas).

We could go on, but you get the idea that this is a universally liked product, which is one of the main reasons it’s rated so highly online!

Durability

The product is made from alloy steel and has a heavy-duty build quality. As you won’t be burning logs or coal in it, there is less need to worry about wear and tear from ash and smoke damage, and the solid build creates a stable base that’s great for windy conditions.

The components are of good quality, and the included carry case means you can pack this away after use and extend the product’s lifespan through ease of storage alone.

Pros and Cons 

Pros 

  • Smoke-free: As this product doesn’t require wood, it can be used smoke-free and is therefore not only suitable for sitting around in a circle, but it’s valid for backyard use without upsetting your neighbors.
  • Aesthetic: As far as portable fire pits go, this is a surprisingly aesthetic product. The carved designs in the casing and lava rocks combine to create a fire pit that is easy on the eye and won’t look out of place on a backyard patio.
  • Adjustable Flame: The adjustable flame helps manage your gas and maintain the desired intensity. As it’s a controlled fire in a closed container, it can be used in some instances where wood fires are banned (though you will still need to check forest guidelines).
  • Accessories: The product comes with useful accessories, including two extendable roasting prongs, a carry case, a 6ft (1.83 m) pressure regulating hose, and 12 pounds (5.44 kg) of lava rock.

 Cons

  • Portability: Our opinion is slightly torn on this point. While it’s a small and compact burner that folds neatly into a carry case, the main downside is that you’ll always need the propane tank to fuel it, significantly reducing its portability for outdoor use.
  • Cooking: This product severely limits the cooking options, and it’s therefore mainly used for roasting marshmallows and little else.

Camp Chef Compact Fire Ring Portable Propane Gas Fire Pit with Carry Kit, 15-Inch Diameter, 55,000 BTUCheck Price on Amazon

Overall Summary

Overall, this is excellent, durable, easy to use, and, most importantly, can be used smoke-free in various forests/woodlands or even in your backyard.

The few downsides to this product are that the need for propane reduces the portability and the flame height is quite limited, so you are unlikely to get a roaring fire going. However, we feel it’s an excellent option for road trips, camping, and backyard use, and the fact that it comes so highly rated is a testament to that!