FireCamper Fire Pit & BBQ
If you’ve ever tried slotting together one of those flat-pack fire pits after a long day of driving, you’ll know the feeling - a bit like wrestling an angry badger with oven mitts on. So when the FireCamper from Fire Brand Green Heat turned up, I wasn’t expecting miracles. But credit where it’s due - this is one of those rare bits of kit that manages to be both simple and solid.
Built like it means business
Let’s start with the obvious: it’s not light. At around 10 kg, the FireCamper isn’t something you’ll be carrying on your back up Ben Nevis - unless you’ve got legs like a mountain goat and enjoy suffering. But to be fair, it’s clearly been designed to last. The stainless steel panels feel thick and reassuringly robust, and once it’s slotted together it’s as sturdy as a brick outhouse.
That extra weight brings peace of mind - you can pile on logs, pans, and half a cow if you fancy, and it’ll just shrug it off. I’ve used flimsier pits that buckle after a couple of good fires; this one looks like it could outlive most of my camping gear.
The posh box it comes in
It arrives in a rather fetching wooden case, which looks more like something you’d expect to find full of fancy tools or whisky glasses. But don’t be fooled, it’s practical as well as pretty. It’s easy to carry, doesn’t take up much room, and keeps all the sooty bits away from your car’s interior. Whoever came up with that idea deserves a biscuit - a proper one, like a Bourbon.
It’s also properly stackable, which is brilliant if, like me, your boot’s already full of camping tat, recovery gear, and that one pan you forgot to clean last time.
Assembly for the mechanically challenged
Here’s where the FireCamper shines - putting it together couldn’t be easier. Although there are no instructions in the box, honestly, you don’t need them. There are only six parts, and they pretty much tell you where they want to go.
Grab one end, slot in a side, then the other end, and repeat. The base drops in last, a flat panel with pre-drilled holes for airflow. The fit is spot on, with just enough tolerance to make it easy, but tight enough that it doesn’t wobble about.
With some other “slot together” pits, you end up swearing, sweating, and wondering whether the designer ever actually tested the thing. Not so here. The FireCamper goes together in under a minute and feels solid once assembled. No fiddly clips, no bent tabs, no need to fetch the mallet.
Once you’re done burning stuff, it packs down just as easily and slips neatly back into that smart wooden case. No soot in the boot, no singed eyebrows.
Cooking made simple
The FireCamper doubles as a BBQ, and the grill slots onto the top with four tidy grooves - two at each end, which hold it in place nicely. It’s secure enough that you don’t have to worry about your sausages rolling into the fire, which is always a plus.
Because of the open design and air holes in the base, it gets going quickly and burns well. There’s plenty of airflow for a lively fire, and it’s easy to control how hot it gets by shifting the wood or charcoal around.
You can throw on a kettle, stick a pan over it, or grill a bit of grub directly, it’s as versatile as any campfire setup, only much neater and less destructive to the ground underneath.
Practical bits that make a difference
The FireCamper might not have the bells and whistles of some fancy “smokeless” pits, but what it does, it does very well. The flat-pack design means it stores easily, the case keeps it tidy, and the whole thing feels engineered rather than cobbled together.
There’s no ash tray, so you’ll need to let it cool and tip it out the old-fashioned way, but that’s hardly a dealbreaker. In fact, the simplicity is part of its charm, fewer moving parts means less to break.
After a few uses, there’s no sign of warping or dodgy welds, and it still slots together perfectly. A quick wipe down keeps it looking smart, and because it’s stainless steel, there’s no rust to worry about if it gets damp.
Real-world usability
In practice, it’s a great bit of kit for car campers, 4x4 adventurers, or anyone who likes a proper fire without leaving a scorched crater behind. The only real downside is the weight - you wouldn’t want to lug it too far from the car.
But that’s the trade-off for having something that’ll likely last a lifetime. It’s a fire pit, BBQ, and portable heater in one, and it looks cracking doing it.
Verdict
At around £199, the FireCamper isn’t cheap, but you’re getting something that’s properly made in the UK, and genuinely practical. It’s ideal for those who prefer quality over gimmicks, and who don’t mind a bit of heft if it means durability.
It’s well thought out, simple to assemble, cooks beautifully, and packs down cleanly - what more do you need?
So, yes, it’s a bit heavy. Yes, there are lighter options. But if you’re the kind of person who values kit that just works, and keeps on working, the FireCamper might be your new favourite camping companion, just don’t drop it on your toes!
Price; £199
Website: Fire Brand Green Heat - firecamper