Propane fire pit help

admin

I'm looking to build a propane fire pit. But needed some incite on where to buy a burner, regulator ect. Has anyone built one? And if so wanna share pics? Mainly I need sources for the non steel parts. I'll be cutting the frame and sides on my Cnc plasma, but the functional stuff is where I need help. I thought about buying a gas grill off of craigslist and using the burners, but I don't know how well that would work any thoughts? Thanks for your help.Offering CNC Plasma cutting and welding projects.Follow me on facebook https://www.facebook.com/nobigdeal.fabSupport those that support WW.
Reply:My old boss built one gas fire pit that was cast into a concrete table. I was able to locate the burner assembly and associated parts thru a manufacturer, but the cost was fairly prohibitive. I was able to buy an entire premade unit and simply junk all the base parts for less money. It was a closeout at the beginning of the season.While it sounds sort of azz backwards, often you can find the whole units for way less money than you can source the individual parts. I'd check with fireplace and grill shops and see what they may have. They may possibly have a damaged unit or a discontinued one they will let go cheap, or they may even have some old units they pulled out and saved for parts or that might be still laying on their scrap pile. You might even be able to get an "in" with them as far as simply  making the CNC rings and they supply the burners and sell them to customers..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Find a cheap turkey fryer unit.  The burners from them are pretty re-useable for some good stuff.Buy American, or don't whine when you end up on the bread line.
Reply:There is some good info here, I have one started that I haven't finished yet. I make no claims as to the safety of using this link, Build at your own risk. (but I aint skeered). I ordered the regulator listed and it came with the wrong size orifice, so i just made a piece that the hose screws into with the right size hole drilled in it (#56 I think). I need to finish this and try it out..http://www.hobartwelders.com/weldtal...d-instructionsLast edited by rnrfab; 11-11-2012 at 07:46 AM.
Reply:Are you building a decorative outdoor "fireplace" style pit?  Kinda like pics 1&2?   You can find them here:  http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=39407Probably wouldn't hurt to check these guys out on the way home, at least for ideas:  http://specialtyfireplaces.com/ and http://www.bbqgalore.com/gas-fireplace-logs.html.  I think they're at Tatum & the 101.  Either may be able to sell you the misc parts you need.Here's what someone else did, interesting because of the homemade controls: http://nanosleep.dyndns.org/griddle/Don't recommend that simply for time - here's half the burner I made temporarily repairing an old Arkla 16x24.  Drilled 2 rows of 9/64" (1/16" no go, bit kept breaking) holes 1/4" apart in 4' of 1/2" Sch40 black pipe.  TOOK FOUR HOURS!   The legs are 8" long.  Worked good though, without adjustments.I did the Craigslist search before that to maybe find a replacement and gave up after a few hours!  These guys look to have all the parts ANYBODY might need for anything:  http://www.tejassmokers.com/castironburners.htm Attached ImagesLast edited by Fabn4Fun; 11-11-2012 at 12:08 PM.
Reply:Just a thought.Know any HVAC guys? Furnaces get replaced because the combustion chambers develop leaks emmiting CO2 into the house. The burners however, usually are intact. Might get more BTU's from one of those for outdoor use. If natural gas, it usually is just a jet change for propane.
Reply:Here's a place that sells gas burners, logs and controls , kinda spendy tho. I opted to just burn wood in mine.http://www.woodlanddirect.com/Outdoo...FUdxQgodHkAAoAHere's some pics of the woodburning one I put together outta scrap for the back patio. 16ga. s/s Burgerking counter top and 16ga diamond plate.Last edited by J-W; 11-11-2012 at 01:39 PM.Reason: added pics
Reply:Originally Posted by J-WHere's a place that sells gas burners, logs and controls , kinda spendy tho. I opted to just burn wood in mine.http://www.woodlanddirect.com/Outdoo...FUdxQgodHkAAoAHere's some pics of the woodburning one I put together outta scrap for the back patio. 16ga. s/s Burgerking counter top and 16ga diamond plate.
Reply:J-W, that table that Elliotmay built would look good with it.
Reply:Originally Posted by millratJ-W, that table that Elliotmay built would look good with it.
Reply:So, what did you decide the base kettle diameter should be? Ratio of collector length to kettle dia? I like that it's taller than I've seen for the style.  Also allows a taller stack to get the smoke away from the slackers sittin' around it.
Reply:fixed it for ya. Originally Posted by J-WYa, Elliot did a nice job on his table. Na, BK won't miss the top, they got a new one made as this one was taken home with me.
Reply:thanks for the input guys, ill have to look into it. i really dont wanna buy new parts. nor do i wanna drop more than $200 on the parts. if i cant do it cheap, ill just go the wood route.Offering CNC Plasma cutting and welding projects.Follow me on facebook https://www.facebook.com/nobigdeal.fabSupport those that support WW.
Reply:LOL, thanks for 'fixin' my post. I didn't think of it earlier but I bought one of these off e-bay a while back to build a wok cooker. Haven't built it yet but it was cheap enough, might work for a fireplace.http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Commerci...item51a39c4efa
Reply:Finally got my burner done, it is sized for a smoker I made, simple to build and works great Attached Images
Reply:Just a question.... for propane or natural gas do you need flashback arrestors?The Lord has declared, "This is my work and my glory--to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man"  Moses 1:39Link: My name is John, and I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.-- ColdCreekWorks.com --
Reply:Originally Posted by rnrfabFinally got my burner done...
Reply:Go to your local propane supplier.  You know, that place you are always driving by with the huge propane tank at the side of the building.  They have a vested interest in wanting you to use propane, so they sell what you need to convert to propane.  That means grills, stoves, burners, hoses, etc.  They aren't always the cheapest, but they will know what you need, they are local, and they can help you figure out the best way to do it.  (then they can sell you the propane you need to fire it).Likewise, if you wanted to pipe it into your home's natural gas, go to your natural gas provider and they will help you get set up for natural gas.Kevin / Machine_Punk from The Aerodrome Studio - Lincoln PowerMIG 210 MP - Meco N Midget w/custom welding station - Vintage Victor 100Current Projects: The Aerodrome Studio
Reply:Originally Posted by Machine_PunkGo to your local propane supplier.  You know, that place you are always driving by with the huge propane tank at the side of the building.