REVIEW – My camping setup has changed a lot over the past few years. The gear is better, and there is also a lot more of it. My current version of an essential kit takes up two big bins plus a duffel bag, which works because most of my trips are Car Camping trips. When the car is carrying the load, weight is not the deciding factor. I do not have to mail food ahead, count every ounce, or use the tricks that more serious distance hikers rely on. If there is room in the vehicle, the gear can come with me. That is why I am always open to another piece of equipment that can make camp more comfortable.
A dependable campfire is one of those comforts. It gives people a warm place to gather, it can help with cooking, and it turns a campsite into a campsite. Many established sites already have a fire ring, a stone circle, or an old wheel hub in place. Sometimes, though, you arrive and there is nothing ready for containing a fire. Wolf and Grizzly built the Fire Safe for that exact situation. This $79 portable fire pit gives you a controlled place to burn wood or charcoal, then keeps the cleanup simple when it is time to pack up and return to civilization.
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Portable fire pit overview
The Wolf and Grizzly Fire Safe is a collapsible stainless steel fire pit designed around quick setup, safe use, easy packing, and efficient airflow. It can burn either charcoal or wood, and its shape is intended to help fuel burn cleanly without needing a permanent campsite fire ring.
The unit arrives in a box that feels heavier than its size suggests. Product photos on the front and back show the Fire Safe assembled and burning, while the packaging also calls out the key specs.
Included in the kit
The package is straightforward and includes the carrying case, the Fire Safe base, the Fire Safe fuel containment insert, and instructions.
Key specifications
- Weight: 910g / 2lb
- Packed Dimensions: 11.4” x 0.9” x 4.1”
- Burn Area: 11.4” x 11”
- Fuel Capacity: 0.8 US gal / 3.02 L
- Unpacked Dimensions: 11.4” x 10.9” x 4.1”
- Materials:
- Fire Safe: 304 stainless steel
- Carrying Case: Recycled polyester (PET/RPET)
- Warranty: 1 year limited
Design and build
The Fire Safe looks simple at first because it is basically two main parts: a base and an insert. The clever part is how those pieces support each other once they are unfolded and locked into position.
Both pieces open easily for setup, then collapse flat enough to slide back into the included case. That flat pack design is a big part of why it works well for Car Camping.
Once assembled, the Fire Safe feels much stronger than the thin packed pieces might lead you to expect. The corrugation in the stainless steel gives the structure a surprising amount of rigidity.
The insert hardware is also well considered. The hinges and small handles work cleanly, and the insert holds its shape well after it is expanded.
The base gives the same impression. The legs and edges feel tough, and I would expect them to handle normal camp use without much trouble.
There are a couple of places where I wish Wolf and Grizzly had made the details bigger. The pegs on the insert that drop into the base could stand to be oversized, especially for setup in rain or low light.
The positional markings could be more obvious too. They are readable during the day, but many of my camp setups happen when conditions are not ideal. Larger markings would make the process more forgiving.
The two sections fit together securely, but I did have to fuss with them a little before all four pegs seated into their slots.
That is not a dealbreaker, but an easier alignment system would help make setup feel foolproof in darkness, daylight, dry weather, or wet weather.
The part that makes the Fire Safe burn so well is the ridged insert. Its angles guide airflow through the fuel area, helping charcoal or wood burn efficiently while using less fuel.
Those ridges, along with the way the insert sits down inside the base, also help protect the flame from wind while lighting and burning. Since the insert is divided into sections, you can place fuel only where you need heat. When the fire is finished, the insert can be used like an ash scoop, which makes cleanup faster.
Setup process
Setting up the Fire Safe is simple, and that ease of use is one of the reasons I like it so much.
Start by opening the base, standing it on the legs, and making sure the sides are squared.
After that, place the insert in the base and line up the four pegs with the matching slots. Add your choice of fuel, and the Fire Safe is ready to light.
Field use
For my test, we used freshly cut kindling and split firewood.
The fire caught quickly, and the burn efficiency stood out right away.
Adding more fuel was easy, and the fire continued to burn cleanly and consistently. At its strongest, with about 1-2 broken up logs burning, the amount of heat was impressive. Just as important, the fire stayed fully contained inside the Fire Safe.
Some light wind moved through during the test, but it did not slow the fire or cause the Fire Safe any problems.
With the fire going that well, I had to try the obvious campsite test: roasting a marshmallow. The Fire Safe handled that job perfectly.
Once the fire burned out on its own, cleanup was easy. We lifted the insert by the side tabs and dumped the ash safely.
What I liked
- Easy to assemble
- Design makes cleanup less messy
- Extra space in Carrying Case for accessories
What could be better
- Basic kit should come with grill
- Alignment pegs sometimes don’t align or get stuck
- Markings on unit should be bigger and more prominent for use in dark or rain
Final thoughts
The Wolf and Grizzly Fire Safe is a fantastic portable fire pit, and I expect it to come with me on every Car Camping trip from now on. At a little over two pounds, it will not satisfy through hiking friends who worry about every ounce in a pack. For Car Camping, though, it is a great fit. The $79 price is a little high, but still reasonable for a well made piece of gear. At that price, I would like to see some version of the Wolf and Grizzly Grill included, especially since that grill is currently sold separately for $99.
Price: $79.00
Product Link: Wolf and Grizzly
You can also grab it from Outdoor Gear Exchange for $89.95.
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Wolf and Grizzly.
