Abstract: Apparatus for simulating a campfire includes a fire pan, a diffuser element in the pan interior and a gas injector extending into the interior. The gas injector has an outlet-that introduces vaporized fuel so that the diffuser element disperses the vaporized fuel about the pan interior. Non-flammable particulate material may be provided at a depth sufficient to cover the outlet. A lid may be secured to the pan, for example, by the diffuser element. The fire pan may have a lower chamber portion and an upper pan portion with the outlet terminating in the lower chamber portion. The diffuser element may be centrally located in the pan. The method provides such a fire pan and directs the flow of gas toward the diffuser so that the gas is diffused upwardly to be ignited on the surface of the particulate material.