How To Choose the Best Portable Propane Fire Pit for Camping and Home

UPDATED APRIL 24, 2025

The sun’s starting to hang around longer, birds are flocking back from their vacation in Mexico (or wherever birds go in the winter). If you’re anything like me, you’re eager to whip out the CAMPING GEAR! 

Yep, it’s that time of the year again—the best time of the year in my humble opinion. That time of year when excitement is building around summer trip planning, and all the fresh seasonal gear in your local gear shop has you wanting to say, “Just take all my money!”.

Unfortunately, no matter how much you may want to pour every cent of your hard-earned paycheck into camping gear, that’s. . . Not particularly responsible. At least that’s what your wife or financial counselor may say.

Instead, you’re scouring the internet, magazines, and gear reviews, comparing and contrasting the pros and cons of every option on the market to ensure you get the most bang for your buck. With all the different portable propane fire pits available today — and all the paid testimonials and influencer/creator reviews —  it can be tough to know what’s real and what’s curated. Which products can you trust, and which models best satisfy your particular needs and wants? 

Don’t worry, we made a handy buyer’s guide to help. UPDATED APRIL 24, 2025. If LavaBox is on your list of portable propane fire pits to look into for camping, tailgating, or backyard BBQs, keep reading. We break down all our most popular portable campfire models. 

Buyer’s Guide LavaBox Edition: Choosing the Best Propane Fire Pit

LavaBox Portable Campfire was born on the river and designed to accommodate the hefty demands of multi-day rafting trips. Portable fire pits from LavaBox are built on the foundation of the humble yet rugged and reliable ammo can, trusted by river guides for millennia (maybe not quite, but a long time). 

What started with our original Tabletop Vol-CAN-no has become a full-blown family of portable propane fire pits for both camping and home use, with various models to fit any purpose and preference.

The Original LavaBox Combo

Formerly known as the Tacana Twosome

The OG ammo can fire pit combo

 

Material: Cold rolled steel

Weight: 7.5 lbs 

Size (L x W x H): 11 ”x 5.5” x 7”

Over/Under Dimensions (L x H): 11.876” x 5”

BTUs: Up to 280,000

Burn Time: 2 hours per pound of propane with a 1-foot-tall flame

Accessories: 

• Over/Under Grill Thingy (it’s a grill and a stand. Choose your adventure)

• Bugout Bag LavaBox Portable Campfire range-style carrying case

• 10 ceramic Hades stones 

• 5ft Steel braided regulator hose with psi adjustor and emergency cut-off valve

Features: 

• High heat powder-coated, lead-free 50 cal. ammo can housing

• Trident dual burner produces both a cozy orange campfire flame and a cool blue cooktop flame

• Removable lid

Not Included:

• Lighter

• 1 lb propane tank adapter

• Propane tank

Price: $259

Great for: Chucking in the back of the rig and gettin’ outta’ dodge! The minimalist ammo can design is compact and easy to fit anywhere you might need to stash it—you know, when you’re playing the Tetris game that is loading the back of the truck before a big camping trip. Great for families, tailgate parties, and backyard barbecues. Safe for drunk people with the safety cut-off enabled regulator hose. Lightweight and super portable.

The Over/Under folds down flat for easy storage. When in use in the “Under” position, it keeps your portable fire pit off the ground and Leave No Trace friendly. Recommended for dispersed camping and campsites that don’t come with established fire rings. In the “Over” position, the Over/Under Grill Thingy turns into a grill top safe to cook on.

Naked Lavabox Combo

Formerly known as the Naked Tabletop Vol-CAN-no

The OG stripped down in its most raw and sultry form 

 

Material: Cold rolled steel

Weight: 8.5 lbs

Size (L x W x H): 11” x 5.5” x 7”

Over/Under Dimensions (L x H): 11.876” x 5”

BTUs: Up to 280,000

Burn Time: 2 hours per pound of propane with a 1-foot-tall flame

Accessories: 

• Over/Under Grill Thingy (it’s a grill and a stand. Choose your adventure)

• Bugout Bag LavaBox Portable Campfire range-style carrying case

• 5ft Steel braided regulator hose with psi adjustor and emergency cut-off valve

• 10 ceramic Hades stones 

Includes: 

• Unpainted, lead-free 50 cal. ammo can

• Trident dual burner produces both a cozy orange campfire flame and a cool blue cooktop flame

• Removable lid

Not Included:

• Lighter

• 1 lb propane tank adapter

• Propane tank

Price: $239

Great for: Chucking in the back of the rig and gettin’ outta’ dodge! The minimalist ammo can design is compact and easy to fit anywhere you might need to stash it—you know, when you’re playing the Tetris game that is loading the back of the truck before a big camping trip. Great for families, tailgate parties, and backyard barbecues. Safe for drunk people with the safety cut-off enabled regulator hose. Lightweight and super portable. 

The Over/Under folds down flat for easy storage. When in use in the “Under” position, it keeps your portable fire pit off the ground and Leave No Trace friendly. Recommended for dispersed camping and campsites that don’t come with established fire rings. In the “Over” position, the Over/Under Grill Thingy turns into a grill top safe to cook on.

Like a fine scotch, the Naked LavaBox portable propane fire pit gets better with age; it develops a beautiful patina with use. Recommended for those who prefer that raw and rugged lived-in look. 

The Original LavaBox Fire Pit

Formerly known as the Tabletop Vol-CAN-no

The OG ammo can fire pit

 

Material: Cold rolled steel

Weight: 8.5 lbs

Size (L x W x H): 11” x 5.5” x 7”

BTUs: Up to 280,000

Burn Time: 2 hours per pound of propane with a 1-foot-tall flame

Accessories:

• 5ft Steel braided regulator hose with psi adjustor and emergency cut-off valve

• 10 ceramic Hades stones 

Features: 

• High heat powder-coated, lead-free 50 cal. ammo can housing

• Trident dual burner produces both a cozy orange campfire flame and a cool blue cooktop flame

• Removable lid

Not Included:

• Lighter

• 1 lb propane tank adapter

• Propane tank

Price: $199

Great for: The camper, overlander, or backyard entertainer who wants an affordable, minimalist portable fire pit that can be burned during fire bans and is easy to chuck in the rig and travel with. Great for families, tailgate parties, and backyard barbecues. Safe for drunk people with the safety cut-off enabled regulator hose. Lightweight and super portable. 

ARCHIVED - The Krakatoa FireBreather

The Krakatoa FireBreather is no longer sold. If you got your hands on one of these bad boys, hang on tight to it! The Krakatoa FireBreather is going down in LavaBox history.

Think Tabletop Vol-CAN-no’s big brother. Massive bonfire edition. Need a portable propane fire pit that burns taller than your 12-year-old? Here ya go!

Material: Cold rolled steel 

Weight: 27lbs

Size (L x W x H): 17” x 7” x 15”

BTUs: 300,000

Burn Time: 1 hour per pound of propane with a 1-foot-tall flame

Accessories: 

• 5ft Steel braided regulator hose with psi adjustor and emergency cut-off valve

• 24 ceramic Hades stones 

Includes: 

• High heat powder-coated behemoth of a lead-free ammo can

• Patent pending ultra-tough 304 stainless steel burner and screen

• Removable lid

• Goodie bag. . . With included goodies (duh). I.e., Instructions, sticker, wrench, quick start guide

• Massive flame belch

Not Included:

• Lighter

• 1 lb propane tank adapter

• Propane tank

Price: $349

 

Great for: SUMMER BLOCK PARTY!! No, but really, the Krakatoa FireBreather is a great portable propane fire pit for groups of 10 or more people to gather around and feel the heat. A perfect fit for those who have been deemed as “over the top”, “too much”, or “extra” and embrace it. Or you’re someone who gets really cold and needs a really big flame. 

Best for use in an established fire ring or on a concrete surface.

The Original Hekla

The most aesthetic, Instagram-worthy portable propane fire pit 

Stainless steel sexy 

 

Material: 304 stainless steel, brass, copper

Weight: 8.5 lbs

Size (L x W x H): 11” x 5.5” x 7” 

Over/Under Dimensions (L x H): 11.876” x 5”

BTUs: Up to 280,000

Burn Time: 2 hours per pound of propane with a 1-foot-tall flame

Accessories: 

• 5ft Steel braided regulator hose with psi adjustor and emergency cut-off valve

• 10 ceramic Hades stones 

Features: 

• 304 stainless steel ammo can

• Trident dual burner produces both a cozy orange campfire flame and a cool blue cooktop flame

• Removable lid

• Luxurious cowhide leather handle 

• Sleek and sexy brass fittings

• Goodie bag. . . With included goodies (duh). I.e., Instructions, sticker, quick start guide

Not Included:

• Lighter

• 1 lb propane tank adapter

• Propane tank

Price: $269

 

Great for: Vanlifers, content creators, and bachelors/bachelorettes looking to impress potential mates in the wild with the sexiest, stage 1 and 2 fire ban-compliant portable fire pit out there (always check local regulations before burning!). A smooth addition to any backyard party, glamp site, or even for jazzing up a primitive campsite. 

Great for families, tailgate parties, and backyard barbecues. Safe for drunk people with the safety cut-off enabled regulator hose. Lightweight and super portable.

How Does LavaBox Measure Up to Other Portable Propane Fire Pits?

At this point, I know you’re asking this question. That’s because you’re a smart, savvy outdoors person. You always do your due diligence before spending your hard-earned dollars on gear. Let’s take an objective look at how LavaBox compares to some of the other popular portable propane fire pits on the market as of the time this article was originally published in April 2023.

Now, get out there with your new portable campfire and get lit! (Responsibly, of course.)

I hope this handy guide saves you time and aids you in your quest to find the best portable propane fire pit for your camping, backyard BBQing, block partying, marshmallow roasting, and overlanding fun this summer.

Still have questions about any LavaBox Portable Campfire products? As always, feel free to reach out to us at info@fireanytime.com.