There was a recent report about a terrible incident involving a firepit similar to this one. Exercise caution if you plan to get one! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE--jdWqeO_IYg.htmlsi=s6MW4RL1jG4a_m8s
As always, James, I love your reviews! That said, however, you paid HOW BLINKEN MUCH for that? Sterno gel alcohol for chafing dishes is $2.98 per can and burns 2 to 3 hours, depending on how green you are! A "fireproof" metal or ceramic pot that holds individual "Sterno" cans cost me $4 for ceramic at a local nursery and I already had the metal one, a bag of black or white aquarium sand to use as a base inside each pan for the gel fuel can cost me $3.98 for ten pounds. Been making my own indoor firepit since last spring. I wanted something safe for my deck, dining table, or living room and drew upon my "experience" as a caterer. The DIY set-up also puts out lots of heat and is relatively safe from carbon monoxide. Still, great review, even if I question the price!
Great point. There are numerous models like this on Amazon that keep getting recommended, so I chose one the middle of the pack price-wise (they go up to about $100). I believe the cost is likely because this is more of a decorative piece than strictly functional like a Sterno. Not that I'm defending it, just trying to guess why! I'll bet this would be easy to make, too.
You are all making this to be the same products. This isn't really used for warming things more of a heating of a small area. It is more ment to be a tiny fireplace with less smoke and other things. Sterno are simply to keep food warm and you all can slightly repurpose but it still would be the same. Also I'd like to day that if you got a large bottle of alcohol it could be as cheap per hour of runtime as sterno too. Though as I said these serve different purposes
I ordered one of these through bespoke post's monthly box over a year ago. Love it. No, it won't burn for 45 minutes, but it does last a good while and is pleasant. While I can understand that how hot it gets might put people off, I think it is important for people to remember this is FIRE. People get burns when they touch their stove or grill. Put it in a good place for use and light it, and you shouldn't have to move it or touch it. The warning over serious injury if you don't read the directions is simple. It's the same principle as adding lighter fluid to a lit grill: The fuel is flammable, and adding fresh fuel to a burning substance means the fuel can travel back up the pour, or just have a fireball. Same with not moving it while lit, as if you drop it (because it is hot) you can spill it and result in spilling burning fuel. For people worried over its cost, I'd like to politely remind people that this is largely for looks or a centerpiece, and not for practicality. It is also heavier made than a DIY project, likely because the thing is made out of special materials. If you tried to make this with standard concrete as a DIY, you're looking at an explosion waiting to happen, as air or water trapped in the concrete will expand as the unit heats. There isn't such a risk with this, and part of that comes down to the more expensive materials it is built with. But those materials are also more brittle than normal concrete, hence the flaking or chipping it can have. This is not a product defect, simply a characteristic of the materials needed to make these, safely. Oder and soot correlate more to fuel used than what it is burned in. As 91% alcohol has very few impurities, it will burn very cleanly and efficiently, so smoke and soot are significantly reduced. 70% alcohol will likely not burn as well, as long, may have more smell, and may make more soot. I think this thing is a very attractive and functional thing, and to get the most out of it, it is best to use 91% alcohol, and to remember basic fire safety and respect around an item that, if misused, does have risks, but if placed in a safe place and handled correctly, is a safe and fun thing to own.
@OceanGirl 505 the one he features looks nearly identical the the one I own. Bespoke post should allow you to look through their options and see what brand they sell (I don't think mine has a mark on it, like in the video, saying a maker, so I don't recall the brand of mine).
SAFETY PRECAUTION!!! The reason you should NEVER refill it while it's burning is because when you pour more alcohol in from a container, the flame can actually follow the stream of alcohol back up to the bottle and cause the bottle to explode, sending flaming alcohol everywhere. Ann Reardon has given this warning on several of her videos, most notably when she taught us how to make Bombe Alaska, as well as in a couple of her debunking videos.
House fire survivor here from a candle. I have ptsd and don’t have any flames on my property. I could never even be around this. Please be careful with open flames ppl
That seems like a bigger flame than I'd want to have indoors personally, but would be awesome for an outside table at night. I'd want a flame half that high if I was going to consider having it in my house.
Do you have a gas stove? If so, then what are you worried about? It's an alcohol based flame - what are you people so afraid of? Gas stoves are way more dangerous than this thing.
@@Dyanosis the fact that you don't realize that a gas stove is a much smaller, controlled, FIXED flame is why "you people"(people with common sense) don't want you to have this.
@@Dyanosis I'd make my point again but it seems people already explained the large differences to you. However to answer you question, no, I have an electric stove. Not really a conscious choice though, it's just all I've ever had. It's also a lot harder to accidentally knock over a stove and spill the lit liquid fuel out on the carpet if someone trips or bumps the counter on accident lmao. Houses also aren't usually designed with a bunch of flammable stuff around the stove... I guess one clarification I'd say is that I have carpet and non-leather furniture, in a fairly small house. I guess it wouldn't bother me if I had this on a glass table in a wide space, with high ceilings, and tile floors.
I have one of these. I think I paid $25 for it on Black Friday a couple years ago. I love it, but I've never used it indoors. I just don't want an open flame that large in the house. I keep it on a table out on my front porch and have it setting in a little tray full of river rocks, mostly for aesthetics. It's great to sit out on the porch by a little fire on a cool fall evening. I've gotten as much as an hour out of mine, so maybe mine's a bit larger. I don't remember the brand. I've had mine for 2yrs and it's held up well, no cracks.
That thing looks like it's just cement that was made from a mould with some touching up done after the fact to make it look cleaner. Might explain why it's so crumbly, since cement on its own isn't as resilient as proper concrete and would be more prone to crumbling, though concrete too would also be crumbly on the edges I think (not an issue, structurally). That said, I don't know very much about building material, but seriously, it looks like it's made very much on the cheap. I mean, even a dollar store ceramic mug probably has more effort put into it, what with the need for drying, glazing, and firing. Definitely not worth a whopping $60 US, that's for sure.
Thanks, James. I'm surprised you didn't mention that it might be nice of they put some kind of fill mark on the inside to indicate just how high the alcohol should go. That it didn't make it to 40 minutes could indicate you didn't fill it quite enough out of caution.
As stupid and overpriced as this product is, I still wouldn't trust cooking anything (such as a marshmallow like he did) with a metal heating source that isn't intended for it. Could potentially be emitting toxins into the air or into whatever is being cooked with it
Listen everyone, it will only properly toast a marshmallow I think.. I tried cooking a cold piece of chicken(on a stick) just to see how that would work and it gave a rubbing alcohol taste pretty quickly after a bite. Still great concept for a smokeless fire. Burns pretty long and many ceramic models. Thanks for the video!
I was looking into getting an in door fire pit. I live in an apartment and you can't grill unless your 10 feet away from the building. Since I would mostly use it for toasting marshmallows and hot dogs lugging a big grill out into the parking lot would suck. This would be so much easier. I'm glad it works.👍🏻
@@ThePinkPanth3r Not to mention the stench. Hotdogs or a steak grilling smells nice when it's fresh and you're hungry. It's not as nice the next day when it has infused your sofa ruggs and everything else with the "delicious" smell of cooking meat.
Just my 2 cents worth. For longer burn time try using the 70% alcohol. Flame will not be quit as tall but will burn longer. I use alcohol burners while camping and this is what I found. the 91% burns hotter and shorter than the 70%. Also for the $$$$$$ cost of this chunk of concrete I have made my own with sand, rocks and a pint paint can for about $8.
I read many reviews of these table top fire pits before purchasing one. First off, do NOT buy one that does not have a stainless steel or metal insert that holds the alcohol. Some reviews of the concrete only table top fire pits (without the stainless metal insert) have said that the concrete has been known to break from the thermal stress of the fire. When the concrete broke, the flammable alcohol spilled out and started a potentially disastrous fire. Purchase only one of these that has the metal insert that holds the alcohol. Second, I found that isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol), produces a nice yellow flame, but also produces a lot of soot and there is a smell from incomplete combustion. I found that methanol (HEET) produces a nice blue flame (albeit hard to see in the daylight). One downside of methanol is that it is toxic. Next thing to try is hand sanitizer, as it is ethanol, which by itself is not toxic, but there are other ingredients in hand sanitizer that does make it slightly toxic.
I live in the UK and we've got a bio fuel living room fire, and we love it not only does it mean we don't need a chimney, it gives heat no smell . Thanks for your video 🤠
My wife bought something just like this and we use it to cook smores at the dinner table. Easy desert and kids love it! The difference is ours has a metal cup that sits inside the concrete pit. I would recommend you look for a small metal cup to use inside the pit, but it works great.
Been using this for years Deer stand portable heater large metal coffee can, roll of toilet paper filled with rubbing alcohol keeps you warm on a cold morning in the deer stand
I have a more "fancy" one of these,, not sure how to describe but it;s built so you can't easily touch hot parts and has a wind protector. They are very common in Scandinavia and we enjoy them for inside and also outside when its sun but still a bit cold.
I don't know if I'd use this because of apartment living; the cost seems to be equal to fire pits you can get from home improvement stores locally that are for your backyard that are bigger and you can cook over. iI's a cool looking thing though!
Thanks James for bringing all these products to us. I wouldn't use something like this but you always do such great reviews and it's appreciated. Have a great weekend. 🥰
It seems to function as claimed. But, at $60, no way. Amazon has several similar versions for half the price with good reviews. Even one in the shape of a skull for $20, with a few good reviews, LOL. I really enjoy your videos, and thanks for the early access James.
At $60, you are getting one of the best firepits on the market, with years of research and development going into a quality product that will last generations. The emotional connection to fire has helped mankind dance on the edge of innovation and progress since its discovery; this product will help you discover that emotional connection as well, with it lighting its way into your heart for years of trouble free, high quality fire starting.
I'm in a deal/ coupon group on Facebook. I got one of these for 19.00 (listed for 69.99 without coupon). It works really well for what it is, and we did marshmallows with the kids. (No alcohol taste!) The one I have comes with a separate stone base to rest it on. I timed ours, and it lasted for 94 minutes. I didn't fill the alcohol to the "fill line" though.
In the thumbnail, I really thought you were dousing toilet paper with alcohol and then I saw mini firepit. I don't know what I was expecting. But I know how to start a fire in my brush pile now.
I got one of these from Bespoke Post. Mine didnt have all the stupid branding and caution labels on it, and for that I am thankful. Mine wasnt as crumbly around the edges as yours, either. I love my mini fireplace. It is quite amusing to mess around with.
See, that price would make sense to me as I have no idea what something like this should cost, lol. I would never buy it, though...even fireplaces scare me (I'm a bit of a ditz, would be just my luck to set the house on fire). I'll instead roll the dice with an electric heater 😂. I live alone with no pets, so while it can still short out on me or something, at least then it wouldn't be caused by my own stupidity.
This is awesome. I could use one of those in my office that's way too cold but didn't even know that was a thing... At the same time, I'd definitely cast my own in concrete. I see they come in colors, wonder how I could do making my own in black... I have ideas now.
Just wanna say thank for all your efforts James I always rewatch your videos while waiting for a new video…are you will to do a schedule for posting a video or randomly? I know it’s too much to ask but I really enjoy your tests and honest opinion
I feel like this would be awesome for campers (like myself) to start a morning or night off right before getting the big bonfire going. I like the flame effect as well, it's oddly soothing
one question no answered in the video is approx how much alcohol is used per each 30 minutes it is running ? depending on the amount used it could be a budget alternative for keeping warm during the winter months for some people.
What do I do with leftover fuel? Just keep burning until it's gone? I got the roundfire Bioethanol, assume it's safe to go down the drain but idk Got this as a gift and it's stressing me out lol
Looks good and seems to work well. They say you can use 70% or 91% alcohol. Would be interesting to do 2 or 3 burns with 70% with a measured amount each time and take an average of the burn time for that amount, then do the same with 91% with the same amount of alcohol and compare the average time for each type. It could be that as you used 91% it burned quicker, which is why you got about 34 minutes instead of the stated 40 to 50 minutes.
It sure would be interesting to know how it does with 70% alcohol, that is much cheaper then 91% and maybe more easier to get? Although, I would like to see if this can run off of high volume drinking alcohols...it kind of just looks like a tea light holder that was made from cement or plaster. i have this same mold :( want to use it to make resin stuff. thank you for the video and review!!!!
Isopropyl alcohol burns very clean and hot especially being 90% . You should be able to use down to 50% in something like this as it may burn a little longer but just not as hot.
You should leverage your gadgets - use the automated solar powered marshmallow turner thingy (See Freakin' Reviews - Dec 4, 2024 episode - yes from the future) to rotate the marshmallow carefully over the flame. Delicious!
While I can't see me purchasing the mini firepit, I have to admit that the dancing flame is very relaxing to watch. That's one pricey little cement cup...looks like something I could DIY. Hmmmm.
My grandparents had something similar in their car when I was a kid. It was a metal coffee can stuffed with a roll of toilet paper with the center tube pulled out. You dumped the bottle of alcohol into it and it was ready to go when you needed it. It was a survival tool in case your car broke down on a cold day.
James, I think you should try that firepit with denatured alcohol. I built and used an alcohol stove for 4 months on a cross country bicycle tour. I can say that isopropyl alcohol sooted up my cooking pot much, much worse than denatured alcohol did. If you don't mind breathing that stuff I suppose it doesn't matter, but I sure don't want to. You can buy denatured alcohol at any big box store in the paint department. It is a very little bit more expensive, but not significantly so. I didn't want to carry large amounts on all those hills so I just used Heet (be sure it is the yellow bottle, not the red). It is available virtually anyplace that has car care products, like gas stations, convenience stores, Walmarts, etc so I only had to carry that little bottle.
As cool as this concept is, this is just an accident waiting to happen, this is infinitely more dangerous then a normal fireplace. One spill and you can kiss your house goodbye.
@@hndrwn that concrete is not going to crack from heat of that alcohol.. please educate yourself before commenting non sense be like saying the concrete will melt.. lol just as brilliant of a saying
It's short and solid concrete on the bottom, which makes it quite heavier on the bottom in proportion to the top. So accidental tipping isn't an issue.
@@AverageReviewsYT read more on the physics of "Thermal Cracking of Concrete." Read slowly, it is okay, I know you are not trained in material engineering.
Fill the hole of the fire pit with carbon felt. That way if the fire pit were to be knocked over the spillage is very limited due to the carbon felt soaking the fuel.
I think I'll try one of those stainess steel wine tumblers. It should work well at a much cheaper price and stay cooler on the outside. I'd make a base so it would be more tip resistant. Just a thought.
@@Adrsdzws Of course it does. But stainless steel is a relatively poor conductor of heat and the tumbler I'd use is one of those vacuum insulated ones. so possibly not as much heat as you'd expect would be transported to the outer side. It would be one hell of a lot cheaper if it works.
Can you put a round steel rack 3 to 5 inches around it and 8 inches tall & set a metal rack on top to heat water? For tea or coffee? Round metal rack to surround it would be 2 inches away from setup.
I see potential as an emergency stove here. Just need to fashion a rack above it. Of course, those already exist for far less, but I don't hate it. An attractive ambience creator that can still serve an emergency purpose.
These do work but I use the tiki torch from Walmart for my backpack and back yard experience same concept but cheapest I paid think 98 cents for the can with a wick on top so it’s a more direct area burn for roasting anything and that’s what mainly use it for is cooking/mild heating and warming water it dose great and with the lid long as don’t completely turn the can over it will stay in the can pretty good just got to empty it before packing up. But we use it all the time for kids and us all have cooked and ate from that one 98 cent can that has lasted forever seems like so far
Just wanted to add to the safety warnings that I didn't see mentioned in the other comments. Since james released a new video with this product. Everyone says don't refill while it's burning, However, as the alcohol runs out, the flame can turn INVISIBLE. Without knowing that, flame jetting can still occur. It's not just "idiots filling a burning container" the container may appear as if it's not burning. They're hard to find, but use a container with a flame arrester. It's also why safety recommendations tell you to wait an absurdly long time AFTER the fire is out to refill. because it may not be actually out for sure until after that absurdly long super conservative safety period.
It looks like a fuel can for those gel fuel fireplaces. They're like electric fireplaces, but it just has an empty space with room for 3 of these and maybe a couple fake logs. I ended up with an electric fireplace instead.
DO NOT USE THIS! Rubbing alcohol can be almost invisible when burned during the day. If you were to accidentally spill this you may think nothings on fire while it actually is.
I don't think I would ever use something like that indoors. I mean, why tempt fate? Maybe I'd set it inside the fireplace, if I had one. It is pretty cool (or hot) for outdoors on the patio table. It would bring a little warmth in the cooler evenings and lights up the area nicely. Plus, we have to admit, it gives a nice cozy, romantic-type vibe.
As a longtime camper using different alcohol stoves it doesn't surprise me that it works. If it wasn't so expensive I would buy one so my kids could roast marshmallows in the living room 😁
Your kids can’t roast marshmallows with a Trangia? Sure is not as attractive but it’ll work if you use alcohol not Heet or denature, worth to try perhaps.
@@user-neo71665 I definitely love the penny stoves, they bloom in seconds and are fun to make. Trangia is made of copper you do have to have a stand because it gets very hot under them but so do the Penny stoves.
I love bonfires so this is actually pretty cool that you can have a mini one inside, I like that it puts out a pretty decent fire, the only issue I have is the thing I love about a bonfire is the smell of wood burning, I think I would miss that aspect, plus the price, it's pretty pricey for a tiny block of cement, I feel like you could easily make this yourself to save money, the price would have to come down considerably to warrant the conveniency.
This is something that we'll known canada bc for warmth its recommended to use it indteD of candles as it also provides more warmth in the first place...
That looks extremely dangerous and likely burn your house down. There is ZERO safety measures, such, as a glass cylinder, cover, or top. The flame can easily jump to other flammable materials and ignite it. There are reasons why lanterns are enclosed.
I can't see using this for "inside firepit" but I CAN see this as an easy way to heat up water or canned food in case of emergency. I would put a grate over the top and get cooking
I don’t know about you but I don’t like that much open flame with my pets. I’d like to see something more like a radiant heater-no surfaces so hot that kids or pets could get burned, but generating some gentle heat without using natural gas, since that’s so darned expensive these days. That said it would be cool to make s’mores at the dinner table.
It's a cute little fire pit but I'm not going to pay that much money just to have it sitting around in case I decide I want to use it and I don't need it to stay warm even though it's snowing out because that's what home generators are for. I was watching some of the older clips and the one with the little netting on the bottom that floats on the top of the washing machine to catch all the lint and stuff because I was thinking about buying some thank you for saving me some money.
Very dangerous especially around kids! My nephew knocked one of these over when we were doing a picnic and the fire department came and bench caught fire along with everything in the table.
