Ignik FireCan: Bringing The Warmth

Ammo cans are the Tupperware of the emergency preparedness world. Though they had been initially meant to hold unfastened ammunition or machine gun belts, we’ve seen these rugged, cheap stamped metal containers repurposed to comprise every part from instruments and camp cooking utensils to fishing deal with, moveable radios, and medical gear. Some DIYers even outfit them with batteries and USB ports to operate as a conveyable charging station, or with audio system to function a boombox. Washington-based gear firm Ignik Outdoor got here up with their very own ammo can contraption — a conveyable propane hearth pit referred to as the Ignik FireCan — and has continued to develop and improve it with some intelligent options.

Above: The FireCan Deluxe features a grill insert with detachable spring-loaded deal with, a drip tray, and a 5-foot quick-release hose with an adjustable regulator. In case you pack every part rigorously, all of it suits contained in the FireCan for straightforward transport.

Purchase or DIY?

The idea of changing an ammo can right into a mini propane hearth pit is nothing new. In case you’re helpful, you can also make one by drilling a gap within the facet of an ammo can, inserting a capped piece of pipe with some smaller holes drilled in it, and including a becoming on the top to connect a propane tank. You should buy these cans within the type of DIY kits or full items from quite a lot of distributors. You can too make a shotgun with some pipe, a roofing nail, and a 2×4 from the ironmongery store … however a Beretta 1301 it ain’t.

The ethical of the story is that DIY tasks are enjoyable and may prevent some cash, however typically it’s value paying extra to have a thoughtfully engineered product with added options and quality-of-life enhancements. Such is the case for the Ignik FireCan, particularly its Deluxe bundle.

Above: The detachable drip tray gathers any residual grease out of your meals, making cleansing simpler and maintaining mess to a minimal.

The usual version of Ignik’s FireCan ($200 MSRP) is a powdercoated metal can with mesh grates reduce into all sides to extend airflow, warmth transmission, and visibility of the flames. It additionally has heat-resistant silicone carry handles and 4 folding legs that carry the can off the bottom, lowering the chance of your hearth scorching the bottom or spreading uncontrolled. Relatively than a fundamental screw-on propane connector, it has a locking quick-release becoming and features a matching 5-foot hose with adjustable regulator. After eradicating the can’s lid and unfolding its legs, simply join the regulator to any customary 20-pound/4.6-gallon propane tank, or to certainly one of Ignik’s handy 5-pound/1.2-gallon Fuel Growlers, as seen on this article. Then, click on the opposite finish of the hose onto your FireCan, gentle it by the included entry gap, and revel in your moveable warmth supply.

For extra radiant warmth, you may fill the can with some hearth rocks to extend its thermal mass. Ignik presents tumbled lava rocks which weigh 5 kilos, in addition to ultra-lightweight 1-pound ceramic “Moon Rocks” that can be utilized to fill your FireCan. Every of those additionally varies the flame sample to create a extra pure hearth pit expertise, versus the propane burner’s symmetrical jets.

Above: The Deluxe Fuel Growler comes with a black padded carrying case in addition to the usual adapter hose. With this setup, we gained’t be shopping for any extra of these short-lived inexperienced propane bottles for our camp range.

FireCan Deluxe

Lately, Ignik launched the FireCan Deluxe ($300 MSRP), which improves upon the common FireCan in a number of areas. The very first thing you’ll discover is its brushed silver end, which signifies stainless-steel building. This shall be extra corrosion-resistant than the black powdercoated carbon metal, even when it will get somewhat scratched and banged up over time. It additionally discolors naturally into bronze and gunmetal hues with use, growing a singular patina. However its largest distinction is revealed while you open the lid.

Beneath its lid, the FireCan Deluxe contains a detachable grill insert that’s constructed from extra stamped stainless-steel. Its internal floor is ramped and slotted to funnel drippings down gutters and right into a detachable drip tray that sits in a slot on the base of the unit. 4 hooks within the corners of the grill insert maintain a 5×10-inch rectangular wire grill — the right measurement for hotdogs, hamburgers, rooster breasts, veggies, and different small objects. Granted, you gained’t be making a feast for the entire household on this setup, however it’s good for cooking a fast meal for one or two folks.

Above: These ultra-light Moon Rocks resemble charcoal briquettes, however they’re really constructed from blown ceramic. Positioned atop the burners, they make the flames dance and assist your FireCan give off extra radiant warmth.

Initiating Grill Mode, as Ignik calls it, requires a barely completely different setup than Hearth Pit Mode. The FireCan Deluxe comprises three burner pipes, reasonably than two on the unique FireCan. The 2 outdoors burners are linked to a propane inlet port on one finish of the can, and have holes which can be angled upward, producing tall yellow-orange flames for Hearth Pit Mode. With its propane inlet on the opposite facet of the can, the middle Grill Mode burner has its holes organized horizontally, making a low blue flame much like what you’d see on a kitchen range or propane barbecue. The tip result’s exact, even warmth that cooks meals rapidly with out engulfing it in yellow flames and leaving it tasting like propane.

Remembering which finish of the FireCan to attach your propane tank to could be difficult, so Ignik etched useful pictograms onto every finish of the stainless-steel field. Subsequent to the Grill Mode inlet, there’s a picture of the grill insert and a scorching canine on a skewer; the Hearth Pit Mode inlet exhibits the can with tall flames popping out of it.

Fuel Growler Deluxe

Though the FireCan might be linked to any run-of-the-mill 20-pound propane tank, reminiscent of these discovered underneath most barbecue grills, lugging a kind of round with such a small hearth pit appears impractical. The FireCan’s compact and moveable design had us wanting a extra moveable gas supply. Unsurprisingly, Ignik has an answer: the Fuel Growler.

Probably the most fundamental model of the Fuel Growler ($110) is basically a normal 5-pound propane tank with an Ignik brand and some extras. It has rubberized strips utilized to the sharp edges on the highest and backside of the tank, stopping it from digging into your palm as you carry it or sliding round on easy surfaces. It additionally features a 4-foot adapter hose that enables this bigger tank for use with 1-inch 20UNEF propane gadgets — the sort that usually require disposable 16-ounce inexperienced propane bottles. So, along with fueling the FireCan, we are able to use this tank with our Camp Chef range and different propane-powered tenting gear.

Talking of inexperienced propane bottles, they’re a problem to hold and swap out, they usually’re additionally not environmentally pleasant on account of their single-use, disposable design. A full Fuel Growler lasts so long as 5 inexperienced bottles, however refilling it prices about the identical as one ($5) and also you gained’t be packing out a bunch of empty and partially used bottles on the finish of every journey. It’s much less wasteful and more cost effective — that’s a win-win.

The Fuel Growler Deluxe version ($150) provides a high-quality fitted carrying case in both a retro-style white/orange/brown colour scheme or plain satin black (a simple selection for us). The case provides cushioning to guard the tank, makes it simpler to hold, and has sufficient room for the hose, a wrench, and different small objects underneath its zippered lid. The surface of the case is lined with two rows of nylon MOLLE webbing that may very well be used to strap the tank down or retain instruments.

Granted, should you don’t care in regards to the hose, edge professionaltectors, and carrying case, it can save you some cash and purchase a generic 5-pound propane tank at Residence Depot for about $50. The FireCan works simply wonderful with a kind of.

Above: On the base of the FireCan, two of the burners are angled upward to provide off tall, heat flames in Hearth Pit Mode. The third burner produces a row of smaller blue flames down the center for Grill Mode.

Within the Discipline

We spent a number of months testing our FireCan and Fuel Growler, each for hearth pit duties and for cooking meals. It’s just about good for overlanding adventures the place area contained in the car is already occupied by plenty of different gear. A full-size hearth pit would usually be thought of a luxurious merchandise for these journeys — good to have, however not likely value packing and unpacking at each cease. The FireCan and Fuel Growler, nonetheless, are small and light-weight sufficient that they’re simple to justify bringing alongside. The multi-functional nature of getting a 5-pound propane tank to energy a Camp Chef range makes it a good simpler resolution.

Admittedly, the warmth from the FireCan isn’t practically as highly effective as a full-blown campfire, however on a cold night, two to 4 folks can sit near the FireCan and nonetheless stay comfy. Not like a campfire, it’s extraordinarily quick to arrange and tear down. In lower than 30 seconds, you will get a roaring hearth going, and (as soon as it’s cooled down for a couple of minutes) you may pack it up in an identical time-frame. In conditions the place you could solely desire a hearth for an hour or two earlier than mattress, that’s actually handy. The FireCan additionally doesn’t require gathering sufficient firewood to maintain a campfire, which often finally ends up being much more wooden than you assume you’ll want.

As for grilling, the FireCan Deluxe labored nice for hamburgers and scorching canines. The adjustable regulator included with the FireCan made it simple to fine-tune the warmth supply as our meals cooked. Grease collected properly within the drip tray, and whereas cleansing wasn’t as simple as a flat-top grill, it wasn’t too tough. We’d suggest cleansing the grill completely earlier than packing or transporting it — if there’s any grease left on it while you pack up the FireCan, it’ll act as a grease-scented air freshener inside your car till you disassemble and wash it.

Above: A fast-detach collar makes it easy to connect the FireCan to a propane supply with out leaks or threading on connectors.

A Not About Hearth Restrictions

In wildfire nation, it’s regular for the native forestry service to subject bans on open campfires in the course of the dry months. This can be a main bummer for anybody who’s planning a tenting journey, as a result of sitting round an LED lantern doesn’t have the identical enchantment as sitting round a heat hearth. Fortunately, there are often exemptions for propane-fueled hearth pits and stoves — which means the FireCan is likely one of the few methods to securely and legally have a hearth on the campsite throughout wildfire season. Test your native legal guidelines to see if that is additionally true in your space, however whether it is, it’s a significant promoting level for the FireCan and different propane hearth pits.

Above: The scale of this grill is right for 2 burger patties. In case you’re making cheeseburgers, drop the FireCan’s lid again on to entice the warmth and soften the cheese slices sooner.

Closing Ideas

The Ignik FireCan Deluxe is a flexible software for tenting, overlanding, household outings, and even to be used on the again patio at dwelling. Everybody enjoys watching the “Ranger TV” — an outdated Army Ranger nickname for the hypnotizing attract of a fireplace — and basking within the heat it provides off. Though we principally discovered ourselves utilizing the FireCan in Hearth Pit Mode, the Deluxe version’s Grill Mode is a pleasant added function, and it allowed us to rapidly whip up a couple of burgers or brats at campsites that didn’t produce other cooking facilities. The Fuel Growler additionally pairs properly with the FireCan to create a conveyable system, so we are able to convey an prompt warmth supply wherever we go.

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Editor’s Word: This text has been modified from its unique print model for the net.

Written by Patrick McCarthy