The "Fire-Bowl" thread

thrillhill

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We had a pretty big thread going at another site. I kinda miss posting all my firebowl pics in one place and seeing what other folks do with theirs so I thought I would start a new thread over here.

These firebowls are made near Sanford NC (Deep River).

I do not make a dime off these, but here is the makers info below. I talked to him this morning (May 2nd 2017) and he has made another 10-12 of the "big" ones, 5 or 6 of the "medium" ones, and 4 or 5 "small" ones.

He is now charging $200, $150, and $100 respectively.

Earl Thurman
919-356-4689

2709 Deep River Rd.
Sanford NC 27330

Call before you stop in. Tell him Bill Hill sent ya.
Earl is now in his late 70s and may not be making these much longer. It's kinda hit and miss here lately anyway. Tank availability is sporadic.

For those that didn't get to see the old thread, he makes these from old propane tanks. Sizes vary.

Mine had anchor chain welded on for handles.

When I bought my first one about 6 years ago, they were not painted and were only $100.

Best $100 I have ever spent!

We cook, socialize, and celebrate around our firebowl. We have tried different iterations of no paint, high temp paint, stove black, and just leaving it naked. The firebowl doesn't care. It will outlast me.

I did drill 3 small (3/8 or smaller) holes in the bottom of mine to let water drain out.

Anyway, here come some pictures, in no particular order, other than the first one which is the day I brought mine home. Had one of the kids jump in for size comparison. I think she was 8 years old at the time.

Y'all post em up!

It'll take me a few days to post my pics. I love the firebowl almost as much as I love my dog and just as much as I love my old truck!



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Awesome pics! I got ours about 3 or 4 years ago. It is a medium I believe, it was painted and only $100. I agree it's the best $100 I've spent. We have some great memories with family and friends over the years. Everybody that comes over wants one. IMO, this a great time of year for it too. I had a friend weld a boom and I hang a cooking crate or a stew pot when I cook. Lemme' set up this Photobucket thing so I can post some pics.
 
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Firebowls are good in the snow, sleet, and rain.

Firebowls are good for your joint militia/weight watchers gatherings.

Firebowls are good for birthday parties! LOL!


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Breakfast over the firebowl on a Monday morning.

Homemade bacon from a pig we processed.
Wild Oyster mushrooms that my wife found in the edge of the woods.
Eggs from our yard chickens.
Bread that my wife made from flour that she hand ground after buying wheat from a farmer down the road.
My new puppy anxious for the food to come off.

Even hangovers are better with the firebowl!


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I am doing something wrong. I would give a left nut to be able to have that much fun on a Monday morning.

Yeah, I have to work Saturdays but am off on Sunday and Monday. It has it's ups and downs.
 
Yeah, I have to work Saturdays but am off on Sunday and Monday. It has it's ups and downs.

10-4. That is the one thing I miss about tending bar. I loved having Monday/Tuesday off. also good to see the oyster mushrooms. With all this rain they should be about right.
 
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A snowy day in the life of the firebowl.

I went ahead and loaded her down with wood and covered her with a cheap kiddy pool the night before. Makes it easier to light when you think something fun is on the way!


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Hey let me get in here!

This is what they call a "medium". I used a torch to blow a hole in the side and into one leg. Inserted a 3/4" ground rod and used this grill here.

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Don't forget, you can use your firebowl to let your oysters crack open a tiny bit. I don't like to cook them, prefer to eat em raw, but the ones that are hard to open get a little heat treatment so I don't stab my hand as often.


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Hey let me get in here!

This is what they call a "medium". I used a torch to blow a hole in the side and into one leg. Inserted a 3/4" ground rod and used this grill here.

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I'm glad you set that one up like that. Sure was nice cooking off the ground. I may have some pics from the Holy Flood campout that I can post too if you don't care.
 
I used mine just this past weekend for enhanced digital security procedures, in short I heated a couple dozen old hard drives until the aluminum platters melted and ran out the bottom, made a bit of a mess and I think I should clean the thing out before I make a cooking fire.

Do like the pivoting grill!
 
I used mine just this past weekend for enhanced digital security procedures, in short I heated a couple dozen old hard drives until the aluminum platters melted and ran out the bottom, made a bit of a mess and I think I should clean the thing out before I make a cooking fire.

Do like the pivoting grill!
LOL we have a shear in our warehouse for cutting rebar. I always enjoy crunching up an old hard drive in the thing now and then.
 
So yea, if anyone from Charlotte is going up to get one of these... Lemme know. I'm looking at you @BigWaylon
Probably not me...but my mom runs through there about once a month going to see my brother (and her grandkids) in Raleigh. She lives in Mint Hill, so it would be easy to get if you wanted one.
 
Awesome thread and pictures! Those fire bowls are sweet.

When I road trip up to meet Bill after winning one of his giveaways I will have to see if Mr. Thurman has any available and grab one :D
 
Here is one that a friend of mine and I made from a surplus 500 gallon propane tank.


Here is it in the woodshop after the first fire and paint job. Ricochet, aka the Chainsaw with Fur, is kindly modeling it!



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Cutting the ends off of the tank. I'm using a Miller Spectrum 2050 Plasma Torch to make the cuts. For safety reasons, I have filled the tank with inert gas so that residual propane does not make things exiting... The inert gas is diesel exhaust from a Miller Trailblazer Pro diesel engine welder.

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Almost finished with the cut!

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My friend Gavin welding the legs onto the bowl.

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The inaugural fire!

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They are great for get togethers and have really enjoyed mine but still need to make a cooking grate for it. Thanks agian bill for introducing me to them. Only down side to the large one is feeding it, blasted things are hungry when the cold beverages are flowing.
 
For some odd reason, might have had something to do with celebratory beverages, or the weather, or any combination thereof, after one particular night of frivolity I decided to set up the old army cot and sleep outside on my shop deck beside the firebowl. Wife woke me up cooking deer backstrap and eggs and toast. That was a good morning as well. Love my firebowl. The wife is okay too! LOL!


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Ive got to get me one of them!
 
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