Abstract: A portable campfire apparatus has a base, a fire pan supported by the base, a gas manifold disposed in the fire pan and a quantity of low-density, non-flammable particulate material in the fire pan at a depth to cover the manifold. The fire pan and the base are substantially the same shape and size. A cylindrical spacer can be interposed between the fire pan and the base, and a lid of geometry similar to the base and fire pan is disclosed and rests on an inwardly projecting shoulder on the rim of the fire pan. When upright, the upper rim is parallel to the ground, but when tipped over the rim is at an angle of no less than ninety degrees to the ground. Different shapes of the base and fire pan are taught, and different configurations of the manifold are shown.

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.

Abstract: A portable campfire apparatus has a base, a fire pan supported by the base, a gas manifold disposed in the fire pan and a quantity of low-density, non-flammable particulate material in the fire pan at a depth to cover the manifold. The fire pan and the base are substantially the same shape and size. A cylindrical spacer can be interposed between the fire pan and the base, and a lid of geometry similar to the base and fire pan is disclosed and rests on an inwardly projecting shoulder on the rim of the fire pan. When upright, the upper rim is parallel to the ground, but when tipped over the rim is at an angle of no less than ninety degrees to the ground. Different shapes of the base and fire pan are taught, and different configurations of the manifold are shown.