Outdoors

Collapsible camping torch replaces campfire with blazing open inferno

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Flip the Tripod Torch dial and enjoy a veritable bonfire
Tripod Torch
Enjoying the heat and flame show of the Tripod Torch
Tripod Torch
The Tripod Torch comes with stakes to increase stability and decrease the likelihood of a disastrous tip-over
Tripod Torch
The heat shields help to deflect wind and divert heat
Tripod Torch
Use two heat shields to direct heat in a more single-direction way
Tripod Torch
Three heat shields turn the Tripod Torch into a chimney-like stove
Tripod Torch
The Tripod Torch ensures campers can meet regulations without losing out on a fire; it also makes for faster, easier fire making and breakdown, even if wood fires are allowed
Tripod Torch
Flip the Tripod Torch dial and enjoy a veritable bonfire
Tripod Torch
The Tripod Torch: Built to go where other fires aren't allowed
Tripod Torch
Tripod Torch heat shield user guide
Tripod Torch
The Tripod Torch packs small and light, assembling in minutes to serve as the centerpiece of base camp
Tripod Torch
Tripod Torch at Overland Expo West 2024
Tripod Torch
The socket wrench cut into the Tripod leg serves to tighten the regulator hose
Tripod Torch
The components of the $190 Tripod Torch kit – the three heat shields are not pictured but are listed as included on the Tripod Torch sales page
Tripod Torch
Unlike most other portable LPG fire pits, the Tripod Torch packs flat and small – not including the LPG tank, of course
Tripod Torch
No smoke blowing into your face and the promise of a 360-degree heat distribution give the Tripod Torch some advantages over other campfire options
Tripod Torch
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Tripod torches have become fairly common among battery-powered camping lights, but a new US startup has a more literal (and somewhate terrifying) interpretation in mind. Its Tripod Torch is an actual freestanding flame-spewer that delivers an open flame meant to spread heat around the campfire torch circle and keep everyone warm and mesmerized. And assuming you don't trip and light yourself and/or the entire campground on fire, it looks like a clear experience-enhancer.

There were a number of high-powered, flame-dancing liquified petroleum gas (LPG) fire pits on display at this year's Overland Expo West, but none quite so conspicuous as the Tripod Torch. Most portable fire pits we've seen over the years include some type of an enclosure, but the Tripod Torch's burner stands tall and exposed, igniting the feed of propane into an open flame that's free to radiate heat in all directions.

While the 17-in-high (43-cm) free-flaming design looks more than a little questionable safety-wise, it's optimized for better 360-degree warming versus fires buried down low inside a bowl or ammo can. So rather than having to huddle and rub hands directly over the fire pit for the smallest tease of heat, campers can sit back in their quad-folding chairs and let the heat come to them. Tripod Torch has even coined a name for it – Heat to Your Seat.

No smoke blowing into your face and the promise of a 360-degree heat distribution give the Tripod Torch some advantages over other campfire options
Tripod Torch

The real beauty of the Tripod Torch (and other LPG campfire products) is that it offers an option for keeping the fire burning during wood-burning fire restrictions and bans. Tripod Torch says that it meets most Stage 1 and 2 fire restrictions, though you'll always want to check with the body that has authority over the land upon which you're camping.

Out of curiosity, we checked the language of US National Forest Service fire restrictions, and indeed, the Tripod Torch seems to meet the exemptions for stages 1 and 2 fire bans by virtue of running on LPG and having an on/off switch.

To help decrease the chance of the torch tipping over and starting a wildfire or burning someone, Tripod Torch includes three stakes that can be used to secure each leg for more stability. That won't help prevent anyone from stumbling and burning themselves on the open flame, but the same could happen with a tall wood fire rising out of a fire ring. Proper care, attention and (sober) adult supervision are essential in either case.

The components of the $190 Tripod Torch kit – the three heat shields are not pictured but are listed as included on the Tripod Torch sales page
Tripod Torch

When the camping trip is over, the Tripod Torch breaks down into components that store in a nearly-flat 10 x 8 x 3-in (25 x 20 x 8-cm) case, weighing in at 6 lb (2.7 kg) total for the case and components, including the heat shields. The torch is designed to assemble together within a matter of minutes, and the legs include an integrated wrench for tightening the regulator hose to the burner.

The three heat shields attach around the burner to deflect wind and redirect the flame heat. They can be used individually or together, and all three combine to make a pot stand for cooking. And while the vertical flame isn't ideal for all types of campfire cooking, roasting marshmallows on a stick looks easier than ever.

Three heat shields turn the Tripod Torch into a chimney-like stove
Tripod Torch

The Tripod Torch is designed to work with propane tanks from 3 to 40 lb in size. The company estimates a burn time of 10 hours using a standard 20-lb tank with the torch set to a medium flame, so roughly 2 lb of propane per hour. That rate will vary between roughly 1 lb per hour on low to 5 lb+ per hour when cranked to high.

Tripod Torch introduced itself via a successful Kickstarter campaign last year and is now offering its fire torch kit for $189.99. Both the torch itself and the canvas carry bag are made in the USA, and Tripod offers a lifetime guarantee on its parts, not including the regulator hose (90 days).

The Tripod Torch: Built to go where other fires aren't allowed
Tripod Torch

Now's the time for this kind of portable LPG fire pit, at least in the US. Just this week, many of my favorite camping areas introduced fire restrictions, meaning no wood campfires in the backcountry. A portable LPG unit is a great way to meet restrictions, stay safe and still enjoy a fire at camp.

Source: Tripod Torch

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6 comments
CarolynFarstrider
Ghastly bit of obsolete fossil-fuel fired 'technology', dangerous, and very damaging to the environment that presumably people who love the outdoors would like to preserve. Nobody should be developing unnecessary carbon dioxide-emitting kit like this.
michael_dowling
CarolynFarstrider : You beat me to the punch! Agreed this thing is a bad idea in an environmental sense. At least wood fires are carbon neutral,as the carbon in the CO2 being released by the burning wood was only recently sequestered,whereas the carbon in the propane torch was sequestered millions of years ago .
Christian
too funny that the first comments are: "Oh no! Propane while camping!" while most RVs, half of all barbecues, nearly all camping stoves, and even many lanterns and lights are using propane or white gas. Meanwhile, many campgrounds in the US prohibit anyone collecting local wood to burn (because, y'know, all the campers would decimate a campground collecting nearby stuff).

Looks pretty awesome to me.
DaveWesely
Yeah, a ginormous open flame in the forest won't be a problem at all. /s
Nature Lover
This is a wonderful product. Where burn restrictions are in place this would be great! I love sitting around a fire. Burn baby burn!
ljaques
PERFECT, and just in time for summer arsonists to burn our forests down while suffocating us in smoke!