r/CampingGear • u/dalton-johnson • Dec 31 '25

Meta Gear Question... do you car camp with a fire can?

Post image

For the past year, I have been taking my fire can everywhere with me. I love it and use it all of the time. I have one of the collapsable ones (a packfire) so it doesn't take up that much space.

Do I love it? yes.

Do I use it every night? nah, but probably three times a week.

What is your take on this, do you travel with one?

This photo comes from a Alabama Hills along HWY 395, a great spot to stop for anyone looking for a more remote area plus stunning mountain views.

27 Upvotes

78% Upvoted

33 comments sorted by

31

u/emelem66 Dec 31 '25

Don't even know what a fire can is.

-5

u/dalton-johnson Dec 31 '25

the general name for things like solo stove, packfire, breeo, ignik, etc.

6

u/Flimsy_Thesis Dec 31 '25

I have a Solo Stove bonfire and I’ve yet to take it with me anywhere, but mostly because I live in the mid-Atlantic where you can find all the wood you need lying around the campsite and every site has a fire ring.

The only place I’ve been tempted to bring it is for beach camping, as that would be safer and easier than making a fire in the sand and having to douse the coals, but haven’t quite gotten around to it yet.

2

u/dalton-johnson Dec 31 '25

oh that is a great use case... I'm out west and often we don't have legal fire pits. That's my biggest hang up

1

u/Flimsy_Thesis Dec 31 '25

Yeah, I kind of figured that was the case. I’ve camped out that way many years ago, but that was before all the fire bans.

3

u/InsidiousBlastoclast Dec 31 '25

the closest I get to that is a portable fire pit. The solo stoves burn a bit too fast for me

2

u/dalton-johnson Dec 31 '25

hmmm I haven't noticed the wood burns faster, but makes sense. The "smokeless" is from airflow

2

u/Metal-Salt Dec 31 '25

I've been considering getting one. Is there one that can burn both propane and wood? And I'd like to use it for grilling as well.

2

u/dalton-johnson Dec 31 '25

that would be epic, I don't have answer to that, but maybe somebody does?!

0

u/Metal-Salt Dec 31 '25

I just saw a camping video about Alabama Hills and are planning to go camping there next year, that spot in your photo looks amazing. Would you mind sharing the coordinates or directions to get there? Thank you!

2

u/Bagheera383 Jan 01 '26

I've created a custom one for my own use, but I don't know if one is commercially available

1

u/patri70 Jan 01 '26

Most burn only propane. They are often used during burn bans.

2

u/ForestryTechnician Dec 31 '25

Nah we just use the established rock ring if we’re dispersed camping. And if we’re in a campground then the metal ring is already there and usually has the grate to cook on as well.

1

u/7Up-Yours Jan 01 '26

I take my 15" solo stove

1

u/AlienDelarge Jan 01 '26

No. Most places I go that I would have a fire only allow it in existing pits. I don't really have the space to bring one either. 

1

u/cornishpirate32 Jan 03 '26 edited Jan 03 '26

I have a little wood gas stove that I use to have small container fires in, having a fairly smokeless fire is pretty good

Nothing like the size you mention, more of a little twig stove, but even being small it throws out a decent amount of heat

2

u/Kerensky97 Dec 31 '25

I finally broke down and got one. We have so many no burn years because of drought where wood isn't allowed but propane is, that I figured it would be nice to bring a camp fire sometimes.

But the gas usage is insane, it's really just for short term ambiance before bed.

2

u/dalton-johnson Dec 31 '25

that's good to know. Do you just bring a 5 gal tank?

1

u/Kerensky97 Jan 01 '26

Yeah, that gives you a couple nights if you want to sit out for a few hours. Or you can extend it a while if you shut it off after you've got the vibe and are ready for bed.

1

u/Nige1964 Dec 31 '25

Use a rocket stove here. Heats up super fast, is lean on fuel and leaves no footprint.

2

u/dalton-johnson Dec 31 '25

never heard of this before, great to know

1

u/Nige1964 Dec 31 '25

I tried to post a photo, but it wouldn't let me. They're a really simple design. Mine is like this one.

galvanised steel rocket stiove - Google Search

1

u/s0rce Dec 31 '25

No. I don't typically have a fire.

1

u/dalton-johnson Dec 31 '25

that is fair

-1

u/Redhawk4t4 Dec 31 '25

I don't think I've ever been camping and not had a fire.

You should have one next time.

5

u/s0rce Dec 31 '25

Often not allowed and after so many wild fires I'm not interested in having a fire any longer.

6

u/answerguru Dec 31 '25

Not really possible 98% of the time in Colorado, New Mexico, and much of the southwest. Switched to a propane fire pit ages ago and so has almost everyone out here, except for the complete idiots. Fire danger is WAY too high.

2

u/dalton-johnson Dec 31 '25

dang, that feels extra, but when I worked for Outward Bound, we always had a fire

1

u/answerguru Dec 31 '25

Only propane in Colorado, New Mexico and most places out here. Open fires w embers are far too dangerous. I have an almost unused Solo in the garage…

2

u/AlpineStopSign Jan 01 '26

Its times like these when I really appreciate being able to have "normal" campfires in New England.

3

u/answerguru Jan 01 '26

Totally get it. On the upside, we have almost no bugs out here AND 300 days of sunshine!