How to choose a bonfire stand
Introducing the characteristics of each material, how to choose one that suits your camping style, and precautions to be taken
overview
There are many types of bonfire stands, and they are made to suit your strengths and purposes, so finding the one that suits you is part of the fun of camping.
It is also a camping tool that people tend to purchase as they have been camping for a long time and their camping styles change or increase.
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Although some of the information is outdated, please also refer to pages where you can compare the weight and size of bonfire stands.
Characteristics of each material
Stainless steel
This is the bonfire stand with 80-90% or more. It is a versatile material that does not rust, does not warp, and is resistant to heat.
Titanium
Stainless steel is the two best materials to choose from.
However, since it tends to be a luxury item, it is more expensive than similar products made of stainless steel.
It is lighter and stronger than stainless steel, and can be made thinner, so it is often used as a lightweight bonfire stand.
Steel
It is a metal called iron, iron, and steel. *Stainless steel is stainless steel.
It is the exact opposite of titanium, which is a heavier and softer metal than stainless steel, so it tends to be thicker to prevent it from warping in the heat of a bonfire, and is often heavy and large.
Also, since it is a rusty material, it is often made by garage brands for iron fetishists, and is almost never produced by famous manufacturers.
Aluminum
Aluminum cannot withstand the heat of a bonfire, so aluminum bonfire stands basically do not exist. (If you leave an empty aluminum cooker on a bonfire, holes will form) It is sometimes written as "aluminum".
In particular, those with mesh firebeds are said to be made of aluminum because the mesh is stainless steel, but the legs are aluminum.
Common types of fire pits
Rather than saying that it is a project or a type that is widespread, it is a classification of self-style that is common.
Of course, there are many things that do not fall under the category of bonfire stands introduced below.
Pico grill type
It goes without saying that this is a type of bonfire stand that imitates the famous Pico Grill.
It has many good things such as being light, compact, easy to assemble, can be used with any type of firewood, and has good air intake, but as you can see, it is not durable.
It has to be said that it is the best in terms of usability, as it is easy to use flames and embers on the left and right sides of the fire pit, and it is also easy to cook.
The fire bed is a consumable item, but even if you camp once a month and keep the fire going all the time, it's hard to use it enough to have to replace it.
By the way, the later imitation products are easier to use than the official Pico Grill. This is natural because we can set the functions and prices that meet the needs of imported products for Japan.
Mesh grate type
A type of bonfire stand with a stainless steel mesh firebed.
There are many bonfire stands that specialize in ultra-compact structures that take advantage of the characteristics of mesh that can be bent and rolled.
Also, since there are no walls, you can burn firewood in all directions.
The grate is also a consumable item, but it wears out more than the pico grill type.
There are many prefabricated items that ``somehow maintain their shape,'' so you need to be careful about wind and movement.
Dish type
A bonfire stand that pursues simplicity is best.
It is a bonfire stand that is just a simple fire bed with legs attached, so it is easy to assemble and is relatively thin when stored.
Many have a wide fire bed and no walls, so you don't have to choose the type of firewood you put on it.
Usability varies depending on the grate, but generally speaking, it is not suitable for cooking because a general-purpose trivet cannot be placed on it.
Full function type
There are a lot of things you can do to use it like this.
Although some attachments may be required, this is a highly functional bonfire stand.
In terms of functionality, there are many that are easy to use without being dexterous.
This is the perfect bonfire stand for beginners as it has been thought about the air intake, is easy to cook with, and doesn't cause you to feel drowsy, such as not being able to control the fire or not being able to use the trivet.
However, many of them are troublesome to set up, take up space to store, and are bulky.
Also, the "feeling of nature", which is important when camping, is weak.
Plate combination type
A type of bonfire stand that combines multiple plates to form a bowl or plate shape.
Although it can be stored compactly, it becomes large when assembled.
The size and depth vary depending on the bonfire stand, so some have bad air intake while others have good air intake, and even though they look similar, each one has different usability.
A shallow bonfire stand will cause firewood to protrude and get in the way of the trivet, so when cooking, you will need to use a tall stand-type trivet or use other tricks such as making a small fire. There is.
Foldable box type
A foldable box-shaped bonfire stand.
This is a bonfire stand that is very similar to a wood stove, and since it can be folded down to a smaller size, it is perfect for a small fire source while hiking.
If you use a bonfire stand in the morning, it can be difficult to take it down, so many people use a foldable bonfire stand as a coffee or hot sandwich maker in the morning.
It is sold as compact, but be careful when assembling as it is also small.
It's the perfect size for picking up branches, etc., so commercially available firewood needs to be cut short, so I don't feel comfortable using it mainly for camping.
Wood stove type
A round cylindrical stove.
Strictly speaking, it may not be a bonfire stand, but it is a parent of the box shape mentioned above.
Since it is easy to create a structure such as secondary combustion, even twigs can produce strong heat, making it ideal for boiling water.
Some people take advantage of this firepower and use it as an incinerator for the morning's leftover charcoal.
Since it is cylindrical, it can be boiled, but it is not suitable for grilling.
It is convenient to have one for people who often go to the mountains, but it can also be used as an auxiliary standing position when camping.
Unusual
Specially shaped bonfire stands.
A bonfire stand that specializes in uniqueness that sets it apart from other bonfire stands.
There are many bonfire stands that are difficult to use, but beyond the inconvenience, satisfaction awaits.
You need a love for the fire pit.
Size guideline
The best size for solo camping is if the part that touches the side of the firewood (*1) is around 300mm to 400cm. Let's choose "small" or "large" based on the criteria.
*1 If it's a flat bonfire stand, use the fire bed, if it's a leaning type, it's on the wall, if it's a bonfire stand that lies diagonally, it's on the wall and the fire bed
300mm to 400cm is the standard because L to M cookers have a diameter of around 130 to 150mm, and the length of firewood is usually around 300mm.The reason is that there is no need to cut the firewood short and it does not feel cramped even when placing the cooker.
Cutting firewood into short pieces with a saw is quite a laborious process, so I would like to avoid it, and it is also convenient to be able to cook and cook at the same time.
Also, for the approximate size and usability with other tools, Search for photos on SNS and you will see an image. will appear more easily.
Small bonfire stand
Small bonfire stands are suitable for enjoying a slow bonfire, but box-shaped ones have less exposed flame, so they are recommended for those whose first priority is portability. is.
If it is a little smaller than 300mm, you can enjoy a bonfire with low fuel consumption even when camping solo, but it is not suitable for people who want to cook with a bonfire or enjoy a fire all the time.
Also, if you sit on a chair, it may be too far down from your eye level or you may have to reach out to work, so consider whether it suits your camping style.
Large bonfire stand
Although they are less inconvenient, they are difficult to carry and have poor fuel efficiency.
Not only does it take up space, but it is also heavy.
Depending on the bonfire stand, general-purpose trivets often do not fit.
However, if you have a large bonfire stand, it is recommended because you can gather around the fire with your friends and family.
It's nice to be alone, but the real thrill of camping is to enjoy the drinks and snacks in the late hours of the night when the kids are asleep.
How to choose a bonfire stand
As I mentioned at the beginning, there is a strong tendency to buy more bonfire stands, so rather than just one set of fire pits,It's perfect for camping style. Let's choose something that fitsor something that can be used for general purposes.
I want to watch the fire
Type without wall surface
If you are going to use it to watch the fire, we recommend a type without walls.
In the above categories, dish type and plate combination type are suitable.
Compared to other bonfire stands, it's not as good for cooking, but you can see the entire flame, and you can burn the wood however you like.
Also, the dish-shaped one doesn't take up much space for storage and is easy to set up, so it's easy to take it out in the middle of the night and admire the fire.
I want to cook
With trivet by default
In terms of ease of cooking, general-purpose trivets come with some complaints such as being unstable, getting in the way of firewood and fire pits, and being difficult to reach the fire. We recommend a bonfire stand that comes with a dedicated trivet as an accessory or option.
Make sure the size is at least 300mm, which can hold two cookers.
Also, when using a Dutch oven, we recommend a full-featured or dish-shaped oven with strong legs.
If you use a tripod for the pot, you can enjoy cooking and bonfire while keeping it warm.
Many of the fully equipped types are designed with careful consideration for intake efficiency, and many of them are also easy to ignite charcoal.
I want to cook and have a bonfire
Bonfire stand that can be used as a general-purpose item as an afterthought
Let's make a selection based on the above two items.
We recommend a bonfire stand that can be retrofitted with general-purpose cooking items such as grill stands and tripods.
Since there are no clutters on the bonfire stand, you can enjoy watching the fire, and using general-purpose items allows you to cook comfortably.
However, there are no planned sizes for bonfire stands and general-purpose items, so it is difficult to buy with the intended use in mind, so make sure that the bonfire stand is not too large. Be careful to choose one that does not have an unusual shape.
Even if you just look at the size numbers, both bonfire stand and general-purpose products have three-dimensional shapes, so there are many cases where ``I thought it would fit, but it interferes'', so choose a size that feels larger than the size that fits.
Perfect for solo camping
Bonfire stand within 300mm horizontally
Horizontal bonfire stands such as Pico Grill are compact but have a large usable area, making them suitable for solo camping.
If it's round, a slightly smaller size is just right.
Also, if the size is within the best size listed above, you won't have to carry too much, and there will be many advantages in terms of ease of use and portability.
A distance of around 300mm may make the neighbor's grass look greener, but when you actually use it, you realize that around 300mm is comfortable after all.
Be aware that a bonfire stand that looks superior in terms of functionality, such as ``it's compact but...'', may be lacking in dexterity.
When choosing a bonfire stand, consider whether it looks good, is compact and lightweight, is functional, etc.
I want to use it as a chair
Bonfire stand with a height of 200mm or more
Be aware that the height is not the entire bonfire stand, but the height to the fire bed is at least 200mm.
There are very few products that have their height listed, so let's estimate it based on the overall size.
It's not that 200mm or less is difficult or inconvenient to use, but 200mm or more is easier.
Also, a metal table may be used as a stand to increase the height, but be careful as the table will warp due to the heat of the bonfire if any of the following apply.
- A fire pit that tends to trap heat underneath
- The legs of the fire pit are short
- The table is thin
Even if it is warped, it is not so bad that it cannot be used, but it can be difficult if the table is assembled.
I want to surround myself with others
Round or square
It is recommended that the size is 400 mm or more because it can be used to keep food for a number of people and snacks warm.
It depends on the number of people, but if you have 4 to 5 people, I think 500mm will be enough to handle whatever comes your way.
Also, in the middle of the night, everyone brings their own leftover firewood, so if it has good air intake efficiency, it will be useful as an incinerator.
I want to store it compactly
Be careful of weight
Many of the current bonfire stands are designed to be compact, so unless you choose something obvious, I don't think you will have any problems with the storage size, but the weight... Please be careful as it varies.
If you want to make it lighter, go for the pico grill type, but be careful of the weight as many of the plate combination types are thick.
When you put it in your backpack, even if it weighs only 2kg, it will feel heavy compared to other camping equipment.
Depending on your other belongings and how long you carry it, there is a risk that the shoulder part of a cheap backpack will tear.
Related articles
The following page is also a page that summarizes bonfire stands.