Fire pit

[waterflea]

I recently cut off the ends of a 500 gal propane tanks to use as fire pits. A friend of mine
said he had scene this done and wanted one for his hunting camp. I plan to put the other
one at a campsite we have have. Does this need any air holes cut into the side or will this
burn ok with just the top open? It is 37 1/2" wide and 24" high.

 

[syd3006]

I think it will burn just fine without holes but water may collect in it. I have friend's that have a piece of galvanized culvert cut off about 18" long, they just set it on top of the ground and with the bottom being open no water stays in it. I use a large truck rim and have it partly buried in the ground and surrounded by rocks I have found that when we get a lot of heavy rain it will have water laying in it. If I was in sandy soil I probably wouldn't have this problem but I am in clay and it doesn't drain well.

 

[Adios Pantalones]

Waterflea- I have a deepish fire bowl thing that works well without holes. I was concerned as well. Watr collecting is the only PITA, so maybe flip it over when not in use.

Where did you score the tanks? There's a demand for them here as pressurized hot water storage tanks. Since you're in- state- I assume they weren't that far away. Lemme know!

Thanks,
-pH

 

[gpcollen1]

My vote is for some holes. It really depends on how deep it is and how you want it to burn. I find that if you put the holes near the bottom, they will get covered with ash. So you can leave it like that or you can poke a stick in the hols to stoke the fire. and keep the air passage clear.

...and it lets water through...

 

[crazy_dan]

I say 1 hole in the very bottom for a water drain.

 

[fossil]

Something that big & heavy, set (presumably) part way into the ground, is gonna be a real PITA to flip over to get rid of accumulated water. I think I'd lay in a couple inches of gravel in the pit beneath it and drill a few drain holes in the bottom before I set it in place. Sounds cool, though, I'd like to have one. Rick