The Original Fire Pit (PRE ORDER)
Pre-order — current LavaBox estimate is mid-September 2026 for the Original. Handmade to order in Colorado.
The Original LavaBox was the first ammo-can-style propane fire pit to hit the market—and it’s still the standard. Compact, rugged, and built for the field, it delivers an adjustable flame in a bombproof design trusted by thousands of off-roaders, overlanders, and backcountry campers.
"A prudent person foresees danger ahead and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. - Proverbs 27:12"
First-of-Its-Kind Design
The original ammo-can propane fire pit — still the market standard
Dual-Burner System
Powerful output suited for both cooking and campfire use
Fire Ban Ready
Meets most Stage II fire restriction guidelines across North America
Compact Ammo Can Housing
Military-style steel construction — trail tough and water-resistant
High Output Firepower
Up to 280,000 BTUs on demand
Custom Fire Media
10 Hades Stones improve insulation and resist grease buildup
Handmade in Colorado
Built to order by hand — not mass produced
Dual-Burner System – Powerful output for both cooking and campfire use
Fire Ban Ready – Meets most Stage II fire restriction guidelines across North America
Compact Ammo Can Design – Military-style steel housing, trail tough and water-resistant
High Output Firepower – Up to 280,000 BTUs on demand
Custom Fire Media – 10 Hades Stones improve insulation and resist grease buildup
Optional Carry System – Add the BugOut Bag to store and haul your full setup
Over/Under Grill Thingy
BBQ Lighter
Propane Tank
1 lb Tank Adapter
A signed single of “While the City Sleeps” by MC 900ft Jesus
BugOut Bag (BOB) – Carry your LavaBox, hose, lighter, and Over/Under in one compact range bag. Select “Hell Yeah” to bundle and save.
What’s Included
- The Original LavaBox Ammo Can Fire Pit
- Dual Stainless Steel Burner System
- Side-Vented Design for Airflow and Safety
- Steel-Braided Regulator & Hose with Safety Cut-Off Valve
- (10) Hades Stones – Ceramic Insulating Fire Media
- Drawstring Goodie Bag (instructions, LavaBox sticker, bonus swag)
- Output: 280,000 BTUs
The numbers, flat and honest.
| Dimensions | 11 in L x 5.5 in W x 7 in H |
|---|---|
| Weight | 8.5 lb |
| Output | Up to 280,000 BTUs |
| Construction | Military-style steel ammo can (natural patina develops with use) |
| Burner System | Dual stainless steel burners |
| Vent Design | Side-vented for airflow and safety |
| Regulator/Hose | Steel-braided with safety cut-off valve |
| Fire Media | 10 Hades Stones — ceramic insulating media |
| Origin | Handmade in Colorado |
| Lead Time | 5-7 business days (longer during peak seasons) |
WHY YOU’RE BUYING FROM STAY READY.
We aren’t the Amazon of survival. We’re a small, opinionated shop that carries gear we’d stake our own lives on — and we back every piece with real support.
Curated
Every brand we carry has been vetted in the field by our team. If it doesn’t pass our 30-day use test, we don’t stock it.
Authenticated
Factory-direct from authorized dealers. No grey-market, no refurb, no knockoffs. Your warranty is real.
Supported
Real humans on phone, text, and email — seven days a week. We carry this gear ourselves and we stand behind it.
American
HQ in California. Orders ship from our US warehouse. US-based customer care.
FOREST-SAFE PORTABLE CAMPFIRE
A campfire inside an ammo can. Born during Colorado fire season, built so the fire stays where you want it.
LavaBox was invented by Josh Thurmond — a 25-year expedition leader, raft, kayak, and climbing guide — out of Colorado during forest fire season. The idea: take a military-grade ammo can, build a propane burner inside, and you've got a fire-safe portable campfire that works during fire bans, on rafts, and anywhere an open fire isn't welcome. The team partners with Protect Our Rivers and is built around "keeping the fire alive while protecting the wild places we all depend on." Josh's title at the company is Chief Eruption Officer.
- Invented by Josh Thurmond (Chief Eruption Officer)
- Born in Colorado during forest fire season
- Portable propane campfire built into a military-grade ammo can
- Fire-safe alternative for fire bans and river trips
- Partners with Protect Our Rivers
Answers, straight up.
Product-specific questions on the left. Shopping with SRO on the right. Both open-ended — hit us if we missed one.
Why is this a pre-order when it shows stock?
LavaBox builds to order in Colorado and opens each production run for pre-sale, so the quantity you see reflects units in the current build rather than boxes sitting on a shelf. Your order reserves a unit in that run. Check the lead time on this page before ordering, and reach out if you need it by a specific date.
When will my pre-order ship?
Ship dates depend on which model you order and where it falls in the current production run. The lead time shown on this page is our most recent estimate direct from LavaBox. These are handmade in small batches and dates can move — if the timing matters for a trip or a gift, email us before you order and we will confirm the current run status.
Can I cancel a pre-order?
Yes. If the lead time no longer works for you, contact us and we will cancel and refund the order as long as it has not already shipped. We would rather cancel cleanly than have you waiting on something you needed last week.
Does it run on a standard propane tank?
Yes. The regulator and hose are included, and it connects to a standard propane tank. The tank itself is not included.
How long until it ships?
This is a pre-order. LavaBox currently estimates Original units ship mid-September 2026. They are handmade in Colorado, so you are reserving a build slot rather than pulling from a warehouse shelf. Dates are manufacturer estimates and can shift.
Can I cook on it?
Yes. Add the Over/Under Grill Thingy for grilling, or the Skwok skillet wok for skillet cooking. The Campfire Kitchen bundle packages the fire pit with both plus the rest of the cook setup.
How long does shipping take?
Most in-stock orders are processed within 1 to 3 business days, not counting weekends and federal holidays. Special-order, dealer-direct, custom, and LYNX Survival Systems orders can take longer. Lead times shown on product pages are estimates, not guarantees.
Typical carrier transit after that: Economy 5 to 7 business days, Expedited 2 to 3, Overnight 1. These are carrier estimates, not guarantees. Some items, such as lithium batteries, aerosols, and safety matches, may be limited to ground shipping.
Free Economy shipping on qualifying orders over $150 to the contiguous US, on eligible products. Oversized, heavy, freight, hazardous-material, dealer-direct, custom-built, and special-order items may be excluded. Oversized and freight items, such as rooftop tents, recovery equipment, and Pro Eagle products, may carry extra shipping charges. If extra charges apply, we'll let you know before the order ships.
Some items ship directly from the manufacturer or a supplier partner on their own schedule, so an order can arrive in more than one package with more than one tracking number. Full details: Shipping Policy.
What’s your return policy?
You have 30 days from receiving your order to request a return on eligible items. Email info@stayreadyoutdoors.com with your order number, the item, and the reason, and wait for return authorization before you ship anything back. Returns sent without authorization may be refused.
Items must come back in like-new condition: unused, unmodified, unworn, unwashed, and free of odors, dirt, stains, pet hair, and damage, with all original packaging, manuals, accessories, and tags, plus proof of purchase.
For standard parcel items, you pay return shipping unless the return is due to our error, shipping damage, or a verified defect. If we provide a prepaid label, its cost may be deducted from your refund. For oversized, freight, dealer-direct, and special-order items, you pay return shipping unless the item arrived damaged, defective, or incorrect. Original shipping charges aren't refunded. Some items may carry a restocking fee of up to 15%, and we'll tell you during authorization.
Some items are fulfilled by third-party suppliers and follow that supplier's return policy, so eligibility, refund timing, return shipping, and restocking fees may differ.
Approved refunds go to your original payment method. Allow up to 10 business days after approval, and your bank may take longer to post it. Full details: Return & Refund Policy.
What can’t I return?
These can't be returned or refunded, except where the law requires it:
- Engraved, personalized, customized, and built-to-order products, and special-order products obtained specifically for you
- LYNX Survival Systems survival kits, custom IFAKs, and custom medical kits
- Agency, government, organizational, and contract-built orders
- Gift cards, and sale or clearance items marked final sale
- Food, drink, and other perishable products, including emergency food
- Personal care, hygiene, and beauty products
- Hazardous materials, and flammable liquids or gases
- Opened or used medical products
- Opened water treatment or purification products with broken factory seals
- Anything marked non-returnable on its product page
For built-to-order, custom, and special-order items, exceptions may be made only for verified manufacturing defects, shipping damage, or fulfillment errors. For food and drink, replacements may be issued only for verified manufacturing defects or shipping damage reported within 5 days of delivery, with photos.
Not sure whether an item qualifies? Email info@stayreadyoutdoors.com before you order.
Do you ship outside the contiguous US?
Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, and other U.S. territories aren't eligible for free shipping, and extra freight charges may apply. If your order needs a shipping quote, we'll contact you before it ships. If you decline the quote, the order may be canceled and refunded. APO/FPO addresses are also excluded from free shipping.
International shipping is available on select products and destinations, and some products may be restricted from international shipping. You're responsible for import duties, taxes, customs fees, brokerage fees, and meeting your country's import rules.
Full details: Shipping Policy.
My package arrived damaged. What now?
Inspect your order when it arrives. If anything is damaged, defective, or wrong, email info@stayreadyoutdoors.com within 7 days of delivery (5 days for food and drink) with your order number, a short description, and photos of the item and the packaging.
You don't pay return shipping on items that arrived damaged or wrong, or with a verified defect. Some items fulfilled by third-party suppliers follow that supplier's policy instead. Reporting after 7 days may limit our ability to pursue a claim with the carrier, and while we may help with a carrier claim, approval is up to the carrier.
Package lost or never arrived? Contact us within 7 days of the expected delivery date. For freight deliveries, inspect the shipment before you sign and note any visible damage on the carrier's delivery receipt.
Can I talk to a human before buying?
Yes. Call (562) 294-6269, Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Pacific time, or email info@stayreadyoutdoors.com. We reply within one business day.
We'd rather talk you out of a kit that doesn't fit your mission than sell you the wrong one.
Do you offer a military/first-responder discount?
Yes. Current and former U.S. military, military spouses and dependents, and first responders, including law enforcement, fire, and EMS, can save up to 10% on most of our products through GovX ID.
Verify on our GovX discount page and you'll get a single-use code to enter at checkout. For later orders, log in with GovX ID for a new code (limit one code per day). The GovX code can't be combined with other discounts.