Best Portable Propane Fire Pit for RV Camping & Other Adventures

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Few things are more important when out camping, or traveling in your RV, than access to a warm, cozy fire. Normally, that means keeping a stockpile of wood, smelling like smoke for days on end, and constantly disposing of ashes with a focus on safety. The good news: with a portable propane fire pit, you can easily do away with all of these drawbacks! These are the best portable propane fire pit for camping & other adventures, reviewed!

Why Fire Pits Make For Happy Campers

Originally, the meaning of ‘fire pit’ was literal: a pit on the ground in which you start a fire. This has the advantage of containing your blaze, and your ashes, but the only way to bring one of these fire pits where you need it is, well, by digging and prepping from scratch.

Modern fire pits offer the benefits of an in-ground one while overcoming their disadvantages. They stand on their own, they can be brought where you need them—it can take some effort, depending on size, but it is still perfectly doable—, and they come with the possibility of burning other fuel than wood, which presents a few perks of its own:

Easy Start, Easy Stop

Simply turn the valve, apply your small flame, and you’ve got yourself a fire. Some propane fire pits don’t even require a lighter or match, all it takes is pressing a button. And when you’re ready to call it a night, all you need to do is turn the valve back; no ashes to worry about.

Take It Anywhere

Propane fire pits are typically compatible with a 20lbs propane tank. This means that your entire kit (fuel and fire pit) can easily come with you wherever you go. Some propane fire pits are hefty, but this review will be focusing specifically on units that make for ideal companions on your outdoor adventures.

Clean, Efficient Burn

Fire pits usually come with a knob which won’t just cut off the flow of propane, it will also regulate it. This is useful for when you don’t feel so cold and can make do with a smaller flame: turn it back a notch or two, and you’ll be burning only as much fuel as you need to keep you comfortable. In other words, no waste!

When we say clean burn, we mean it in several ways. For starters, there is no mess to deal with afterwards, no ashes to dump somewhere safe. There’s also no smoke to irritate your eyes and stink up your clothes. Furthermore—and this is one of the best parts—, there are no embers flying all over the place, which means, no risk for the surrounding vegetation. This in particular is quite convenient for when the authorities say: you shall not burn!

Circumventing the Burn Ban

First, a precision: depending on its level and the state (or county, or even town) in which it is issued, a burning ban could prevent you from using even your propane fire pit. It is wise to always check with your local office so you know for sure you’re in the clear.

That said, some more context: as the name implies, a burning ban is a (temporary) restriction on burning. At the basic level, this means no wood—not even your BBQ grill—, but it will often extend to other materials such as waste (dried leaves, for example), or fireworks, in some cases.

Due to the fact that they are smokeless (and ember-free), propane fire pits can sometimes be used under milder bans; some will even come with official certification that allows their use under more stringent conditions. As mentioned before, checking with your local authorities beforehand can save you some serious headaches down the road.

BTUs: Why They Matter

When you’re looking for a source of warmth, it is useful to know just how warm it can make you; that’s when BTUs come in. One BTU (or British Thermal Unit) is equivalent to the energy required to raise the temperature of 1 pound of water by 1°F,  and it is the generally accepted standard for measuring the output of heaters, fire pits and similar products.

When trying to find out the output you need for warming up your space (such as a room, or even your entire house), there are some complex calculations involved, which may take into consideration factors such as amount and orientation of windows, height of ceiling, insulation status, and so on. In this case, you don’t need to worry too much about it, as we’re talking about a heat source you’ll be using in the open.

A Few Good Choices

The following picks are all fire pits fueled by propane, and of appropriate size to take along whenever you go into the great outdoors; one of them may be what you’ve been looking for.

19″ in diameter, it comes with a 10′ hose for connecting to your propane tank, and a total of 4 bags of lava stones, which you place at the pit for the purpose of creating the blaze. A knob off to the side can be used to permit or interrupt the flow of gas, as well as for regulating the flame.

It does come with some perks uncommon for its category, however: whereas most other similar models will offer a bag for purchase separately, or not at all, this one comes with a rigid lid complete with a security latch which, aside from preserving the unit from the elements when not in use, can be held by the handle at the top so the fire pit can be taken wherever you please with little effort.

For the purposes of connecting a standard propane cylinder, unit comes with a 5′ hose, and the knob on the front can regulate the flame or shut off the flow of gas. A lid can be attached to the top via safety latches on the sides, to provide a handle for gripping that facilitates moving the unit from A to B.

Worth noting that the manufacturer explicitly advises against the unit being used with its lid on, in case anyone was wondering.

The body is steel, with an enamel finish; the burner is stainless steel, and the valve is chromed, which gives the whole thing a nice look while boosting durability. It doesn’t come with a carrying bag; it features straps instead, which don’t provide any protection the way a bag would, but at least make it easier to move the fire pit around.

Whereas most similar products come in black (with some red accents here and there, occasionally), this one opts for a bronze finish.

Brightest Flame: Outland Living Firebowl 893

More likely than not, you will have to use both hands when carrying this one around—rather than using the provided straps—, but there is quite a bit to make up for this potential inconvenience: aside from a pretty good heat output, it’s built with durability in mind, with its body and burner made of steel and its chromed valve. The enameled finish gives it a polished look, while further helping the unit last longer without a sign of decay.

Featuring CSA approval for burn bans can only make it even more useful when out there; and should natural gas be more of your thing, all you need to do is order an official conversion kit, and you’re good to go. All in all, this is a fairly good partner for your outdoor escapades.