Kick-ass Fire Pit. An adaptation of 15th & 16 century braziers Lee tries out the brazier at home |
Inspiration: |
A wheeled brazier |
A wheeled brazier, 16th century Germany |
Construction: |
The cut pattern shows how all of the sheet metal components were cut from a single 2' x 4' panel of 14 gauge steel. Pins were removed from four hinges, and the hinge plates (shown here in red) were then attached to the side panels, as suggested in the upper right. | |
The legs are lengths of pipe onto which are welded steel pins sized slightly smaller in diameter than the discarded hinge pins. | |
The corners of the pan were relieved as shown here. This allowed the sides to be folded up at 45 degrees, to meet as shown in the photo below. These corners were then welded closed. |
|
|
|
Tom convinced me to try assembling the brazier upside down, and I've been doing it that way ever since: fit together the side panels on the ground, lay the pan over them, and insert the legs. Assembly is an easy, two-handed task that way. We stow the panels and legs in the pan for travel, along with our cooking grill and fire tools. The total package measures less than 3 x 24 x 28". The shelf around the firebox works well for its intended purpose of containing ash and embers, but it quickly found a higher calling in turning stones into hand warmers and bed warmers. Be very careful to avoid burns if you try this trick, and never use stones which have set in water or wet ground as they can explode when heated. At Seth's suggestion, drain holes have been added to prevent rainwater from accumulating in the pan. These were made outside of the firebox, one in each corner. Max |
Photographs and other content are copyright 2003 by John Wilson unless otherwise credited.
Created 12/9/2003
Last updated 1/6/2011
This web site was created and is maintained by John and Lee Wilson. Removeth not the back panel; there are no user serviceable bits therein.