Learn how to make a portable fire pit in under ten minutes
There’s nothing quite like a good campfire — the hypnotic flame and glowing warmth epitomizes so much of the camping (and human) experience.
A small portable fire pit is an easy way to take that magic with you on the go. I researched different options online, but in the end, I decided to make my own using a method my outdoorsman brother showed me.
I opted for a portable fire pit that was small enough to bring in a pocket, but still big enough to provide warmth or even use for cooking. It cost me $7 and it was ready in less than ten minutes.
How to Make a Portable Fire Pit
This portable fire pit uses just a few components that you can find in any convenience store or back yard.
Start with a fire-resistant container
First you will need a fire-resistant container to hold your fire. Use a metal that will withstand the heat, like stainless steel or cast-iron.
Your container can be as simple as an empty steel paint can, or a cast-iron skillet from Walmart. But in my case, I chose to go for this mini incense burner on Amazon — it’s made of cast-iron, the quality is great, and it fits in my pocket (plus it’s only $6.99).
Melt candle wax to cover the bottom of the container
For this step, you can use wax from any standard candle, or even from crayons.
Melt the wax into the container to cover the bottom completely. You can use a double boiler to melt the wax, or just pop it in the microwave.
Add in twigs and/or incense materials
Now you’ll add in some sticks to act as fuel for your portable fire pit. It’s also an option to add incense, or traditional smudging materials like white sage or palo santo.
You can simply grab wood and twigs from the ground outside — these will act as the main source of fuel for your fire.
Seal everything together with more melted wax. Done!
Now all that’s left is to melt more wax on top of everything to seal it together. If you want you can poke a little wick down into the wax before it cools, and you’re done!
***
And that’s all there is to it. Portable fire pit in under ten minutes.
Essentially here, the candle wax melts and slows the speed at which the sticks burn. I prefer this method over any other mini portable fire pit or stove because it’s easy to find sticks and candles nearly anywhere in the world. Bring this thing to a restaurant, and if you need to refill it, just snag a candle from the table and some twigs from around the patio.
That’s all! Enjoy your fire pit, and let me know on Instagram how it turns out! You might also like:
