Nothing could replace the smell and sound of a real campfire, but a portable propane fire can be a useful alternative at campgrounds where burn bans are in effect.
Camco—a popular RV products manufacturer—makes a Little Red and Big Red Campfire that you can use almost anywhere. They’re easy to set up and don’t produce any smoke or ash.

Camco’s Little and Big Red Campfires are a safe alternative to regular campfires. Photo: iRV2 member ‘xrated’
The portable campfires put out decent heat (up to 65,000 BTUs per hour) and have an adjustable flow regulator. They can also be used with a cooktop (sold separately) to boil water or cook with a frying pan.
To set them up, you simply put the portable campfires on a flat surface, remove the lid, and lay the fake wood logs in place. Then you attach the included propane hose to a standard LP cylinder, making sure the connection is tight to prevent gas leaks, turn your propane gas and regulator on low, and ignite the fire by holding a flame near the burner ring.
They can easily be put out by switching off your propane and regulator. Allow the fire to completely cool down before moving it or storing it away. Storage is also convenient; the campfire is made with its own compact carrying case with security latches.
iRV2 member xrated bought their own Big Red Campfire recently and shared their thoughts on this forum:
“I’ve grown tired of the hassle with bringing firewood to a campground and having to buy wood from them. Don’t get me wrong, I understand the reasoning behind not bringing in firewood from other counties, etc. but it’s still a hassle to not be able to bring your own wood…..that you know will burn well and not have to worry about being green or wet and struggling with getting the fire lit. So, I bought this……
65,000 BTU when full on, but of course there is an adjustable flow regulator that allows it to be set to a lower setting. And the good news is, if you are camping in an area that has a burn ban in effect, this can still be used because it can be turned off instantly. I may have to buy some “spray smoke” smell for a dose of reality though!
Portable propane fires have many benefits:
- You can use them in places where in-ground campfires are not allowed (which can be especially useful during the summer when there are more burn bans in effect)
- They’re faster and easier to set up than regular campfires
- No smoke, ash, or smell of burning wood
- No hassle of buying or transporting firewood
- No worry of leaving the fire unattended or the firewood getting wet
- You’ll always have a campfire, no matter where you go
Camco’s propane campfires are available in two sizes: Little Red (with a 11 ¼-inch fire tray diameter) and Big Red (13 ¼ inches). The Little Red Campfire comes with an 8-foot long propane hose and costs about $150. A 10-foot propane hose is included with their Big Red Campfire, which retails for about $190.
See also: 15 Must-Have Items For Your Next Car Camping Trip

I really like the propane fire rings – while they don’t put out all the heat of a wood fire you also don’t get your clothes, hair and camper full of wood smoke that is not always easy to wash out while out camping. For hunters you definitely don’t want to chase game with fire scent.
A better option is the Campfire in a Can out of Canada…best looking flame I’ve found
Where do es one get info on Campfire in a Can ?
They tend to consume LOTS of propane!!
Thanks for the info. I thought that might be the case looking at the pictures.
No smoke to end up in campers and no sparks landing on people or awnings. Have not hit my wood pile since I bought Big Red and never will.
How long will a 20 lb tank last??
I think that would be determined by how high you have your flame..Mine pulls off of my twin tanks on my trailer so it is hard to know.
We purchased a Flame Genie fire pit that uses the same wood pellets as a wood pellet stove. We love the fire from it. One filling is good for about an hour if we don’t add pellets. This is usually just the right amount of time. Problem we’re having though is finding pellets in the southwest. I know the ambiance isn’t there. But propane might be the answer. How long will the propane campfire burn on a 20 pound tank of propane?
Forgot to add. Lot easier to carry wood pellets than woo. And cheaper. $5 for 40 lb bag of pellets. This is good for about 5 hours.
I bought a 2nd hose and put quick disconnect fittings on it so I can plug it into the fitting that is for the external BBQ at the rear of my trailer. I use the shut off as the regulator to adjust the flame as you cannot have 2 regulators on the same line. This eliminates having to carry an extra propane tank
I laughed when I first saw propane campfires. Then one of our club members broke his out, and like moths to a flame, he had several members gathering around it and socializing! I bought mine shortly after, and it is particularly handy during “no campfires” campgrounds. You can also use it under your awning during rainstorms! Great investment for RVing!
And it doesn’t pop sparks that burn your mat and clothes and smoke up your awning.
I love being able to sit around a campfire with having to get up and move every time the wind changes and blows smoke and ashes into my face !!! Also love the safety aspect when it’s dry in the summer which happens even without an official burn ban! Everyone in our “camping group” has gotten 1 (different brands) and we all love them.
Has anyone tried the propane campfire called Sequoia made by camp chef? It was at the Quartzsite RV Show a few weeks back for $120?
I have the Little Red which per the Manuf. puts out a little more heat which uses a little more propane. Amazon has the camp chef for $108.00 which seems like a good price. I think I would want longer than a 5ft. hose so the tank isn’t in the way. Looks like a nice little unit.
Thanks! Also i dont think the Sequoia comes with a lid! Yes i would want at least a 10′ hose!
Just keep the unit upright and no lid is needed . It does come with a storage bag which is a nice feature.
You can use little red inside a screened enclosure (Clam) and be warm and cozy down to 40 degrees. Really takes the chill off when it is cold and rainy