How to build an ammo can fire pit

So you want to DIY your own portable ammo can fire pit? Since we sell them why would I tell you that?! Well because there are so many resources out on the internet today, we’d be fools to think we’re your only option. So lets talk about the process a bit eh?

Making something with your own hands is a power move, making a fire pit with your hands is even more so. Taking your family and friends camping and keeping them warm with something you made, damn, they owe you all the beer.

So why doesn’t everyone do it? Well, it does take some work that not everyone is willing to put into it. And that’s ok, I never envisioned making these either, but here we are.

First off you’re going to need to find an ammo can. If you don’t have some laying around you can get some from your local military surplus store. But you might be able to find brand new ones at places like Harbor Freight too.

Next you’re going to need a burner. How you do this is up to you, there’s a lot of options out there from pre-made, or copper tubing. But we like to use 1/2 inch steel pipe. We use an 8” pipe, with a cap on one end, a coupling and a 1/2” close nipple that sticks out of the can.

When putting the burner together, be sure to seal the seams. We like to use a flexible paste on the seams rather than nylon tape because it’ll be a little more heat resistance.

Next you’ll need to punch some holes in the burner, we like to space them at 1/2” increments, but you can experiment with this for a little more or less gas flow.

Painting the can is up to you, but we do it. The green paint that comes standard on ammo cans was never meant to withstand the heat its about to see, so it will start to peel off. If you like that look, then more power to you. But if you live anywhere near the coast that bare metal will begin to rust almost immediately. We use a paint stripper and remove all the original paint from the outside of the ammo can. Next we paint them with a high heat paint, you can find this at your automotive parts store or bbq paint from a hardware store.

Once you’re ready to assemble, you’ll need to punch a hole in the side of the can for the burner to attach to. The pipe is 1/2 inch, so the hole needs to be slightly bigger to fit through.

Push the pipe through and connect to a 1/2” FIP to 3/8” male flare brass fitting. This is what you’re going to connect the hose to.

Now, assemble everything, hook it up to some propane, and boom baby!

It’s really not that complicated, you just need the supplies, the tools, the space, and the time. If you’ve got that at your disposal, then more power to you and we’d love to see what you come up with!

If you don’t want to hassle with all of that, we tend to be pretty good at making ammo can fire pits, and will gladly sell you one!