Mini Firepit Review: Alcohol-Fueled Heat on Demand?
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- čas přidán 3. 07. 2024
- I'm putting the Amazon recommended mini firepit to the test today. It's fueled by standard rubbing alcohol, but will it live up to expectations?
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0:00 Intro & Unboxing
1:23 First Use
3:09 Duration Test
4:52 Marshmallow Test
5:42 Final Thoughts
#firepit #alcoholfirepit #minifirepit - Jak na to + styl
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.
For $60 I'll make my own either with sterno like Cathrine or get a bag of sackcrete and some diy disposable molds
@@bostonrailfan2427 right?! I can just imagine the tragedy of someone knocking this thing off the table
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
@@biohazardlnfS My parents had a little fireplace in their bedroom that used 3 sterno cans. Effect was decent and it produced a decent amount of heat
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.
False.
@@spike-- It's quite true. There are literally videos of it, warnings from fire departments about that exact scenario.
@@AirLancer
WRONG! The alcohol is evaporating and the fumes are burning 😵💫
@@spike-- Why don't you make a video proving otherwise?
@@tattletalestrangler8084
🤣🤣🤣Umoron.
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.
Well said! What brand do you recommend?
@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).
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 Are alcohol flames less flammable than gas stove flames? Because they make it clear that it's the size of the flame that worries them.
@@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.
“You people”. Im so not like the others normies. -@thenewdiabolic666
You are such a special snowflake my dearrrr.
@@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.
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.
Or maybe it would last longer with the 70% alcohol one as I assume it would burn slower with less alcohol.
Full disclosure before I read the title of the vid, I wondered why toilet paper was on fire 😅🤣
5:37 You can see the suction effect of snuffing out the fire with the cork 👌✌️
Clever idea, always enjoy seeing your reviews
I appreciate this review...thank you so much!
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.
The top pulling in when extinguishing is very satisfying.
I'm not a regular viewer honestly, but I'm glad to see you are still trucking along and making content!
I think I'll stick with tea lights, but I love 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.👍🏻
I would not advise cooking meat over this indoors, the flare ups from any grease could be catastrophic.
@@ThePinkPanth3r Oh yeah, thanks! I forgot about juice dripping.
@@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.
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. 🥰
I’ve done that with and old metal dog bowl that wasn’t used anymore. Works great and it’s a lot cheaper.
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
Really confuses the dog though. 🤣
@@dotar9586 thank you for several minutes of laughing!
I LOVED the lighting in the marshmallow toasting part. So very nice
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.
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.
Another great review. Love your shirt.
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 🤠
Does it burn doodoo?
@@mattalexander4699 Bioethanol is generally produced from sugar fermentation.
@mattalexander4699 dried doo doo like from cows, horses ,deer, rabbits , ignite really well just something to keep in mind you need a survival fire .
I love every review you publish. I've never even seen half of these things.
You sure light my fire
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.
What an absolutely dangerous product to be used indoors. That’s crazy. It’s one thing to use it outdoors but I would never allow that in my house.
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 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.
Absolutely no way would I have that large flame indoors!
The thought of kids or unknowing adults trying to refill it while it’s burning scares me.
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.
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.
@@michaelp.3485 It's a cement drink koozie. IJS
@@michaelp.3485 Not sure if you're being sarcastic.
Your statement is a typical sales pitch, so I will politely decline your offer.
@@GanNing221 If you click his name, it shows you his comment history on this channel. Definitely trolling.
Just buy a flower pot
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!
I have one and use it every day. In the morning take the chill off the room. I get alcohol by the gallon at the drugstore. Thanks for the review.
Thanks for the email and early release. Big fan of your videos James!
I used one for making smores indoors. Works just fine no comaints
Fire inside the house I'm not crazy about that but it is a cute little bugger.
Im sure its not easy to knock over, but I wouldnt use that. That is one drunk or accident prone person away from a house fire.
As Beavis would say FIRE FIRE FIRE
Fire's cool!
Scares me! If I had one, I would surround it with big rocks outside only. We all like to sit around a fire but that's liquid fire!
Cool tshirt. Plus always wandered about these products. Curious if the 71% would burn slower. Wish you had tested that.
I was wondering the same. How 70% would compare to 90%+
It does, but it produces a smaller flame and can be harder to light.
The lower the percent the more water in it and it produces soot if you can even get it to light.
@@VGMStudios33 obviously not from south. It’s wandered as you speak it.
Awesome centerpiece for my big outdoor dinner parties
You forgot to the test the "wind strength test" how much wind can it widstand before getting put out as per one of the other owners cons.
I liked the vacuum on that last snuff.
$59.99?! For once I'm speechless. Even with 2023 prices that's ridiculous.
Yeah, there probably is not a $1 worth of cement that's used to cast this. They're ripping people off at that price. LoL
Oh there are more expensive ones that are so ridiculous for the materials because they present themselves as an premium brand.
See, that price would make sense to me as I have no idea what something like this should cost, lol. I would never buy it, though...even fireplaces scare me (I'm a bit of a ditz, would be just my luck to set the house on fire).
I'll instead roll the dice with an electric heater 😂. I live alone with no pets, so while it can still short out on me or something, at least then it wouldn't be caused by my own stupidity.
yep, i cast one of these with about 50 cents worth of quickrete and a 3D printed mold
yep, seems like a decent product but 60$ for a piece of cement is not acceptable. 20$ might be acceptable.
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.
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
Who does “big bonfires” these days with all the wildlife issues we’ve been having.
@@carmenmartinez2882 CT hasn't had issues, but where you live might be different
@@carmenmartinez2882 I can say that who lives near a swamp and my backyard is dealing with foxes, deer, etc everyday
I use there Fireplace fuel for my ceramic wool countertop fireplace ,both i recieved for free for my reviews on Amazon Vine.Great Video and ya its been stupid cold here in Vegas past week
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.
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.
THIS IS A REALLY COOL PRODUCT, THANK YOU!!!;)
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
For reasons I can’t articulate, I’m glad that you spoke about why you went outside.
I just bought one at BigLots for $15. Works great! Thank you for all your great videos, as usual😊
Great review. I certainly would not use this indoors. Backyard, front porch maybe & with an extinguisher nearby. Thanks for reviewing & providing a demo. Be well.
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
May be a good emergency item for some light and heat.
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!!!!
The outdoor shot was worth it.
Now I want marshmallows!! Good review, thanks for the early access.
What a sad statement about humans when you have to warn them not to pour alcohol on fire.
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.
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.
Great to see a video from our guy James on Friday night.🤝
Great review. I'd be concerned about my tabletop or the potential for a serious burn.
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.
It's basically sterno without the jelly.
I like the idea of indoor firepit. Looks good. Hopefully nobody ever bumps it over while lit.
It seems pretty bottom heavy but yeah I'm a bit wary of having just a bowl of lighter fluid ready to go up at any moment if someone's lazy
All I can think of is households with pets, especially cats, we know they love to knock things over
@@Fuzzycatfur Hopefully the pets dont drink out of it either. I doubt it though. It would taste too bad.
@@lolalee2301 Regular alcohol is bad for pets, they drink denatured alcohol, they're dead. Even low amounts are enough to poison people.
@@Fuzzycatfur Amazon says it weighs 4.8lbs. Should be safe from your cat... Maybe not drunk people or dogs though.
I got one of these for my birthday and they are freaking awesome!!!🔥👍🏻 just be careful because it did set of my smoke alarm once!😂
I love your Instant Replay!
Cool toy James! I don't have 91% rubbing alcohol at my drugstore. I have the 70%. Do you think flame lasts 29% less?
Yes, I was really hoping James would run another test with the 70% and see if the flame was lower and the burning time would change.
Cool my great uncle lives in a place with little lighting next the woods and he did want a fire pit. Perfect April fool's gift 😆
I have one of these i love it. If alcohol is cold hard start
You're the bestest, but marshmallows aren't toasted unless they catch on 🔥 fire and turn black 😂
I may get one just in case of power outage. Light and some warmth.
Definitely want a marshmallow now 😬
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.
Omg i was close to buying this a couple of times! Swans so cool, bit lemme watch the video first!
It’s an interesting device, I was wondering how it would do on the 70% rubbing alcohol? It may last longer as it may not be as flammable I don’t know.
Now to test it on Smores !
Seems like a cool and easy pit.
be interesting to compare this against the Solo Stove of the similar size the Mesa
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.
Huh? Steel gets hot too.
@@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.
How did it work
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 just bought this based on your review, but purchased the ARARG. I did the test and mine lasted for 48 mins.
Think I'd try out some of the camping/survival DIY versions before paying that much for it.
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!
you can also use ethanol or fuel gel with it
LONGER VIDEOS PLEASE
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.
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.
If the concrete crack and alcohol spill, it will also be hell let loose. Very not safe indeed 😂
@@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.
I don't want to hear the words "alcohol" and "fire" in the same sentence.
@@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.
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.
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
This is a great idea as it would be a super simple way to bring the ambiance of fire outside without all the hassle, money and mess of a fire pit.
Great video 👍
It didn't surprise me that it got that hot especially since it's stamped right on the front of it" caution hot". I think it's a cute little gadget for a single person that goes camping.
I just bought a similar item called a LIT PIT for $15 at big lots. Hoping g to use as an emergency stove
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.