Should you use a portable fire pit or wood stove?
With all the restrictions on open fires in many of Australia’s national parks, more people are starting to use contained fireplaces. And rightly so. Camping is just not the same if you can’t sit around the fire at night.
This obviously doesn’t apply if there are Fire Bans or restrictions in place but contained fireplace ideas have developed quite rapidly, with many examples being both made at home and commercially produced. Snow Peak and Darche are some good examples of super light-weight folding fireplaces, but our favourite is the heavy-duty folding fire pit from Aussie Campfire Kitchens.
These portable campfire pits are becoming more and more popular. Some of them, such as Snow Peak and Aussie Campfire Kitchens, are now almost complete kitchens based around a contained fire pit in the middle. Camping and cooking in the bush is changing as people experiment with new, innovative gear.
Which leads us to another alternative: the portable wood stove. The difference between the portable wood stove and portable fire pit is that the wood stove is more contained. It’s also often heavier and you can cook off it in different ways compared to the slightly more traditional fire pit.
The Ozpig is one of the more recognisable brands in this niche, but other brands are starting to develop portable wood stoves as well. Wooshka is another frontrunner, as is the Frontier Stove and the OZtrail Outback. What we love about the Ozpig is the sheer number of accessories that are now available, including the very popular add-on smoker unit that takes camp cooking to another level for those who love to roast and smoke meats in this way.
So what is the best? Well, we still love the good old cast iron camp oven on the coals, but it isn’t always practical. Both portable fire pits and portable wood stoves are finding their place in mainstream camping gear and it comes down to personal preference. Most have a large range of options, so make your choice based on how you like to cook, and the price you are willing to pay. Or why not have both and change it up a bit from trip to trip?
For our money though, and if you like a more traditional approach, the Aussie Campfire Kitchens gear is a winner and will last a lifetime. It’s also made in Far North Queensland, so we are probably a bit biased.
Our customers are also finding the Expedition134 box a great fit for their portable fire pits and wood stoves. The below time-lapse video was sent in to show us what a great fit the box was for the Wooshka stove and a second customer has managed to neatly fit in the Ozpig.
This means that everything is protected and contained in the Expedition134 box and doesn’t rub holes in anything else you have packed around it when you are on an extended trip or battling the corrugations. Because we all dread that horrible sound of things moving and crashing around in the back. Or maybe that’s just us.
OPEN SKY TOURING REVIEWS
from 97 reviewsOrdered this box after seeing so many positive reviews of the Expedition 134 box. And it doesn't disappoint! What an outstanding, Australian made product. Not only is it tough and durable it looks the bomb as well. Will be getting another one for sure! Can't recommend enough.
Recently bought a pink storage box after buying 3 last year. It’s just as tough and perfect as my previous ones. I’ll continue buying these awesome boxes to go into my new trailer project.
Great product! Love using them and would highly recommend to anyone
Easy to use, and great value
Great product and well made
Does just what it says on the box! (bad dad joke there...) Great to now have 3 of these in my collection.
Survival Snake Bite Kit™
Purchased the Expedition 134 to use for the wife's scent hound business. The dogs are used to find truffles, so not only does the box store all the harnesses and other dog gear, any booty located also goes into the box, safe and secure. Great product indeed..
Great kit. Saw on Pat Calligan’s show and immediately bought. This will definitely save a life from snake bite. The pressure bandage has markers to show how tight to wrap. So clever.
One of the best products I have used in my forty plus years of camping very well made and waterproof. It’s a pleasure to do business with a great Aussie company.
Survival Snake Bite Kit™
Very happy with the boxes. Def can hold adult standing on lid and solid latches. Easy to hose out and dust and water proof for 4WD trips!
I am impressed with the rigidity and quality of the box. it's worth every cent!
These boxes are exactly what I wanted! Delivered on time, great quality and great price! Thanks Open Sky team!
This is my 5th box and they’re fantastic. Will be the replacement for my drawer system in my Landcruiser to keep weight down. They are the ideal combination of size and manageable to handle when full.