“Leave it better than you found it” are words I keep in mind whenever I head out camping. I try to limit my impact on any campsite, making sure that anyone who uses it after me can enjoy it as well. One of the best ways to do that is to use a fire pan.
My longtime favorite was made by Ticla, but the company sadly went out of business in 2015. ($205) is the one I’d buy today. It stole my heart on an 18-day Grand Canyon rafting trip four years ago. By elevating fires a good two feet off the ground in a steel box that has three-inch high walls, it protects the ground from fire scars.
What’s more, the Firepan makes an excellent grill. I’ve used the included grate to sear tri-tip and cook up delicious veggies. You can’t beat the flavor that comes with cooking over an open flame. A separate ($75) lies underneath the pan to catch errant coals and ashes. (Note that in many locations, you should pack out all your ashes.)
When it comes to camping in dry areas, or any place you want to grill dinner or sip beers around a fire but leave no trace, NRS’s Firepan is a worthwhile investment.