Had the pleasure of using these while backcountry camping In Sleeping Giant. Robust, functional and good for campfires and cook fires. Though probably made in Canada and subject to sanction.

Sleeping Giant is on my bucket list to visit. The scenery looks out off this world.
Did you enjoy your time there? Do any fishing?

Those look nice. Not necessary to pile rocks around it for a windscreen. Keeps ash from spreading in heavy rain too.
Maybe if US Steel is used tariffs could be reduced.
I remember the round ones with the swinging grate. The one in the photo was removed, relocated and repurposed to an undisclosed location in the 1980’s.

State parks in my state use that same design as the pictures from Sleeping Giant. They are robust.

You need to be young, or at least limber, to use those firepits.
At the Sawbill drive-in campground, I had to use the swivelling grill as the firebase because my 80+ year old bod kept me from reaching down into the pit from a crouch or kneeling position.
That said, these pits are safer in preventing embers from escaping and causing a wildfire.
I still like a fireplace made up of loose rocks that can be adjusted to permit or block the wind as desired to regulate the fire.
"He who heats with wood is warmed twice" or even more as the glow of a hot fire warms the spirit and companionship.

The one in the first pics look nice. Able to block the wind, so no need to pile up rocks in elaborate displays, but I'm guessing campers still will. Thus making it hard with the swinging grate. Looks tough enough.

Will the USFS consider upgrading 2200 campsites in the BWCA to a new fie grate?

The current fire grates in the BWCA run about $400 a piece.

Tom

tumblehome: "Will the USFS consider upgrading 2200 campsites in the BWCA to a new fie grate?


The current fire grates in the BWCA run about $400 a piece.


Tom"

Good question, it might depend if they have found another founder (ha ha) after Smith closed. If they find another founder that can make a similar looking grate, I would guess they would go with them. If not anything is possible.

LindenTree: "

tumblehome: "Will the USFS consider upgrading 2200 campsites in the BWCA to a new fie grate?



The current fire grates in the BWCA run about $400 a piece.



Tom"

Good question, it might depend if they have found another founder (ha ha) after Smith closed. If they find another founder that can make a similar looking grate, I would guess they would go with them. If not anything is possible."

There must be a standard grate used in man-y of our National parks and public land areas>

The problem with the open top fire ring is that it allows for larger fires. The current design is an intentional limitation to the size of the fire.

With how much of an issue forest fires are, I'm ok with that limitation in place, especially if it means it might help delay a fire ban if they think the risk of a fire spreading outside the grate is smaller.

As a volunteer trail maintainer on USFS lands in NC I've helped carry in materials to some fairly remote areas. I can't imagine carrying either of the two pictured round grate assemblies to BWCAW campsites via canoe and portage. The rectangular grill surfaces on current BWCAW fire grates are connected to the leg assemblies with stove bolts, allowing a more compact "carry in" size, and they probably weigh half what the round assemblies weigh.

TZ

TrailZen: "As a volunteer trail maintainer on USFS lands in NC I've helped carry in materials to some fairly remote areas. I can't imagine carrying either of the two pictured round grate assemblies to BWCAW campsites via canoe and portage. The rectangular grill surfaces on current BWCAW fire grates are connected to the leg assemblies with stove bolts, allowing a more compact "carry in" size, and they probably weigh half what the round assemblies weigh.


TZ"

For a long time they have often taken fire grates in by dog sled often.

TrailZen: "As a volunteer trail maintainer on USFS lands in NC I've helped carry in materials to some fairly remote areas. I can't imagine carrying either of the two pictured round grate assemblies to BWCAW campsites via canoe and portage. The rectangular grill surfaces on current BWCAW fire grates are connected to the leg assemblies with stove bolts, allowing a more compact "carry in" size, and they probably weigh half what the round assemblies weigh.


TZ"

For a long time they have often taken fire grates in by dog sled often.

My vote would be the original grates. Even a small fire in them and you can sneak in close for warmth. The stones around them visually fit in with the area, Would hate to have those round rings to deal with.
Even by dogsled the original grates would seem to be much easier to transport.

Pinetree: "For a long time they have often taken fire grates in by dog sled often."

Brilliant! Living in the south, I don't think in terms of winter travel across frozen lakes. Thanks for the education.

TZ

TrailZen: "As a volunteer trail maintainer on USFS lands in NC I've helped carry in materials to some fairly remote areas. I can't imagine carrying either of the two pictured round grate assemblies to BWCAW campsites via canoe and portage. The rectangular grill surfaces on current BWCAW fire grates are connected to the leg assemblies with stove bolts, allowing a more compact "carry in" size, and they probably weigh half what the round assemblies weigh.


TZ"

the grates in the photos break down into 3 pieces (the grate, the curved arc, the rectangular back) held together by bolts. Having prepared the current grates for said dog sled transport I don't think the weight difference would be significant.

Not practical. Give me an estimate of what it would cost the FS to remove the existing grate and replace it with that. Pretty much stops there.

2nd point, what is wrong with what it is there now. As was pointed out I think the design was intentional to discourage large fires. That pit is what they have on Wi campsites, you can have as big a bon fire as you want but that’s not really in the BW spirit. The grate looks the same, not an upgrade.

I wonder - is it just me, or are the grates in BW the ugliest thing I've seen since I gave up TV? Don't know how you guys stand them, especially before breakfast. A few rocks and two portable fire irons are all one needs.

Neenah Foundry (Wisconsin) makes some of these. I contacted them a few years ago thinking I might want one in the backyard. The foundry invoiced me at a cost of something like $500+. And they weight around 200 lbs as I recall. Both too much for me.

My brother got a real nice heavy duty in ground grill from a Girl Scout camp that was closing and paid a little over $100.

Its interesting to think about upgrades in a Wilderness Area, or even national parks in a time when budgets for these national treasure of wild places have been decimated and the ranks of the workers who have the expertise and a love of wild places are being slashed. It's more about survival for cherished areas like the BWCA, and even many of the Crown Jewels in the National Park system. I am hearing no talk about wilderness upgrades from the national political scene, just a disregarde for an outdoor ethic protecting our wonderful wild and natural areas.

Zulu: "Those look nice. Not necessary to pile rocks around it for a windscreen. Keeps ash from spreading in heavy rain too.
Maybe if US Steel is used tariffs could be reduced.
I remember the round ones with the swinging grate. The one in the photo was removed, relocated and repurposed to an undisclosed location in the 1980’s.


"

This is what Sylvania has. I just got back from there. These do requirer digging ,and as many of us know digging even a few inches isn't easy with rock and roots

Pinetree: "Sleeping Giant is on my bucket list to visit. The scenery looks out off this world.
Did you enjoy your time there? Do any fishing?"

If you go Ouimet Canyon, Eagle Canyon Suspension Bridge and Dorion Fish Hatchery are all close by with free tours and lots of stocked lakes in the area. Ask the MNR where the Adult Brook Trout are being stocked for a chance to catch a trophy.

scat: "Not practical. Give me an estimate of what it would cost the FS to remove the existing grate and replace it with that. Pretty much stops there.


2nd point, what is wrong with what it is there now. As was pointed out I think the design was intentional to discourage large fires. That pit is what they have on Wi campsites, you can have as big a bon fire as you want but that’s not really in the BW spirit. The grate looks the same, not an upgrade."

Suggestion is for an upgrade as grates are replaced (as they are continually).

What's wrong with them now is that they are often impractical for a simple campfire. The cook surface is a hinderance; it makes sense to be able to get it out of the way. Large fires can be discouraged through the sizing of the arc. If you're not cooking over a fire the grates can make building a simple fire for ambience difficult, especially if the fire area has been rock-modified to a point of idiocy.

Rock-modified to a point of idiocy. Nice one Banks.

Us rangers tore alot of rock castles down around BWCAW fire grates. East zone does not like them being above the fire grate. We tare them down and throw the rocks on the lake. People build them right back up.

Ok good luck with that, really not that important to me. Everyone is different.

Caministigoyan: "

Pinetree: "Sleeping Giant is on my bucket list to visit. The scenery looks out off this world.
Did you enjoy your time there? Do any fishing?"

If you go Ouimet Canyon, Eagle Canyon Suspension Bridge and Dorion Fish Hatchery are all close by with free tours and lots of stocked lakes in the area. Ask the MNR where the Adult Brook Trout are being stocked for a chance to catch a trophy."

Thanks

Pinetree: "

Caministigoyan: "

Pinetree: "Sleeping Giant is on my bucket list to visit. The scenery looks out off this world.
Did you enjoy your time there? Do any fishing?"

If you go Ouimet Canyon, Eagle Canyon Suspension Bridge and Dorion Fish Hatchery are all close by with free tours and lots of stocked lakes in the area. Ask the MNR where the Adult Brook Trout are being stocked for a chance to catch a trophy."

Thanks"

You can go on the Fish ON-Line app click on the fish symbols and pull up information on lakes, species, stocking etc. There are nice Diabase Sills on the Good Morning Lakes take Ouimet Canyon Road to Green Witch Windmill Road. Cavern Lake & Lost Lake take Wolf Lake Road, Cavern Lake Road also have some nice Columnar Basalt Diabase Sills typical of Dorion Canyon Country. The Dorion Area has lots of stocked Lakes with Brook Trout, Lake Trout, Splake Trout, Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout being raised in the Dorion Fish Hatchery. Some wild Brook Trout and Lake Trout lakes round out the list also as you can see on the MNR fishing app.

Banksiana: "

TrailZen: "As a volunteer trail maintainer on USFS lands in NC I've helped carry in materials to some fairly remote areas. I can't imagine carrying either of the two pictured round grate assemblies to BWCAW campsites via canoe and portage. The rectangular grill surfaces on current BWCAW fire grates are connected to the leg assemblies with stove bolts, allowing a more compact "carry in" size, and they probably weigh half what the round assemblies weigh.



TZ"

the grates in the photos break down into 3 pieces (the grate, the curved arc, the rectangular back) held together by bolts. Having prepared the current grates for said dog sled transport I don't think the weight difference would be significant."

I agree there… as a camp host I move firegrates around some and I wouldn’t think that part would be a big deal. But there are those who would exceed the limits and create a hazard and we all see the fires left burning after people have left. And again as a camp host you see it all… and faith in humanity gets stretched some. Haha

Caministigoyan: "

Pinetree: "

Caministigoyan: "

Pinetree: "Sleeping Giant is on my bucket list to visit. The scenery looks out off this world.
Did you enjoy your time there? Do any fishing?"

If you go Ouimet Canyon, Eagle Canyon Suspension Bridge and Dorion Fish Hatchery are all close by with free tours and lots of stocked lakes in the area. Ask the MNR where the Adult Brook Trout are being stocked for a chance to catch a trophy."

Thanks"

You can go on the Fish ON-Line app click on the fish symbols and pull up information on lakes, species, stocking etc. There are nice Diabase Sills on the Good Morning Lakes take Ouimet Canyon Road to Green Witch Windmill Road. Cavern Lake & Lost Lake take Wolf Lake Road, Cavern Lake Road also have some nice Columnar Basalt Diabase Sills typical of Dorion Canyon Country. The Dorion Area has lots of stocked Lakes with Brook Trout, Lake Trout, Splake Trout, Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout being raised in the Dorion Fish Hatchery. Some wild Brook Trout and Lake Trout lakes round out the list also as you can see on the MNR fishing app."

THanks

Blatz: "

Zulu: "Those look nice. Not necessary to pile rocks around it for a windscreen. Keeps ash from spreading in heavy rain too.
Maybe if US Steel is used tariffs could be reduced.
I remember the round ones with the swinging grate. The one in the photo was removed, relocated and repurposed to an undisclosed location in the 1980’s.



"

This is what Sylvania has. I just got back from there. These do requirer digging ,and as many of us know digging even a few inches isn't easy with rock and roots"

A challange I discovered with the Sylvania grates are that the bottom of the pit is indeed well below surface grade and requires that much further reaching down. Many of us--myself included--are getting to the age where if we go down to tie our shoes we start to think, "As long as I'm down here, what else can I do while I'm here?" :)

Those extra several inches below grade make a difference!

I prefer the subtleness of the current grates.

One thing I like about the BWCA fire grates . It discourages stupid big fires from being built.