CAMP STOVES AND FIREPLACES

THERE is a variety of types of camp stoves and fireplaces, ranging from the simple types shown in plate I, figures 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6, to the elaborate and massive types shown on plates XII and XIII. In addition, there are the patented types of (a) fixed, (b) movable, and (c) portable camp stoves, some of which are used as assembled after shipment from the source of supply, and others are used only after being assembled and encased in masonry. The simpler forms of fireplaces, similar to those shown in plate I, are excellently adapted for picnic use on the forest recreation areas and especially on open areas, because these simpler features are less conspicuous and more natural in appearance.

PATENTED STOVES
(With and Without Masonry Encasement)

These stoves have a wide use, especially in the more urban park areas. The type of portable stove shown in plate I, figure 2 (designed to burn gasoline), is popular, especially where adequate cooking facilities are not provided on campground and picnic areas. This portable stove is often used where only fireplaces are available and the camper desires a cleaner and easier method of preparing food. These stoves are easily carried in the automobile, and with a few minutes of preparation they are ready for use. In some areas a large percent of the campers use this portable stove.

There are two other groups of patented stoves, one of which is used without a masonry covering and the other is used with a masonry covering (pl. XIV). The patented stove which is designed for use without masonry is best suited for the more intensively used recreation areas under city conditions. This stove is not well adapted, from the standpoint of appropriate design, to the natural forest surroundings. On the other hand, the patented stove intended for use only when encased in well designed stone masonry (pl. XIV) is an excellent stove for use on campgrounds.

CAMPFIRE CIRCLES AND OPEN FIREPLACES

Fires, either in campfire circles (pl. XX, figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6) or in open fireplaces (pls. II, III, and IV) are always in demand on recreation areas where the fire hazard is small. These features range from the small circle for individual camp units or individual picnic groups, and the large circles for community gatherings, to the well-designed open fireplaces. Their main value is not for cooking, except on campgrounds. It is for light and warmth. There is a certain element of simplicity and charm in the atmosphere created by a campfire circle or an open, simple fireplace. No extensive campground or picnic area is complete without them, and their absence can be justified only in locations where the fire hazard prohibits their use.

FIREPLACES WITH TOP GRATE OR TOP PLATE

On campgrounds and picnic areas which are entirely in the open, the camp stove and the fireplace should be as inconspicuous as it is practical to make it, because of the unattractive effect which is so often produced by any considerable number of more massive types of fireplaces on a single open area.

The most natural fireplace is one which is cut into the natural rock outcrop or ledge (pl. I, fig. 3), or a similar fireplace so constructed that it reproduces the effect of being cut from the natural ledge rock (pl. I, fig. 4). These fireplaces are most attractive in appearance and appropriate to the surroundings. Unless the natural rock outcrop happens to be of a kind which can withstand intense heat and water dousing, considerable damage will occur in practical use.

On some picnic areas, a simple form of standard grate with sheet-iron or stone sides (pl. I, figs. 6C and 6B) is adopted. This simple grate is supported on four legs which may be anchored firmly in the ground, if the fireplace is supposed to be in a fixed position, or the legs may be so set that the fireplace can be moved to other locations.

The stone masonry fireplace with both ends open (pl. II) is a simple and practical unit where the fire hazard is not great. Most open fireplaces are constructed with a definite back (pls. III, IV, and V). In all of these fireplaces, the cooking is done upon a grate or plate which covers a major portion of the firebox. The plate is sometimes used on fireplaces in preference to the grate because of the increased convenience of cooking, and to prevent smudging of utensils.

The fireplace of this type may have a top grate supplemented by a top plate, or a grate without any top plate. These two may be interchangeable. In some fireplaces there is a bottom grate; but this is an impractical feature, especially when the grate is only 4 or 5 inches above the hearth. The area under the bottom grate is soon filled with ashes and therefore becomes the same as a solid hearth. If the ashes are kept continuously cleaned away from the firebox, the cost of maintenance is abnormal and sometimes prohibitive.

In a few types of fireplaces, there is a single bar across the front of the firebox (pl. VI). When greater convenience in the use of these types of fireplaces is desired, the hearth is raised above the ground level in order to have the top of the grate at a more convenient elevation (pls. VII and X).

CAMP STOVES

The camp stove which is primarily for cooking purposes sometimes may be converted into a fireplace, as shown in plates X and XI. The camp stove with the top plate at an elevation of 26 to 30 inches is apt to be rather massive and for this reason these high units should be developed only on campgrounds where there is an opportunity to partially screen one unit from another unit.

There is a type of camp stove, known as the "oil drum" (pl. XXVI, fig. 10), and the "ice box" (pl. XXVI, figs. 9 and 11), which is very practical in actual use but very inappropriate for use in natural forest surroundings. There can be little justification, even from the standpoint of practical use, for introducing these types of stoves into the natural areas.

Camp stoves are sometimes constructed with a chimney notch (pl. VIII), or more frequently with a chimney which may be low (pl. X) or high (pl. XII). Camp stoves should be appropriately designed (so far as a fireplace or a camp stove can be so designed) to fit into the natural forest surroundings. High-chimney camp stoves should be confined to the heavily wooded areas where there is opportunity to develop the necessary screen of natural planting. There is little justification for the type of camp stove with the high chimney except in locations where the fire hazard is great and the high chimney with its spark arrester is necessary to provide the desired protection.

COMBINED STOVES AND FIREPLACES

It is sometimes desirable to use a combination warming and cooking unit as shown on plate XV. This combination structure is apt to be rather massive and it should be avoided wherever practical in favor of the construction of the convertible types of camp stove shown in plates VIII, IX, X, and XI. The combination stove and fireplace and the convertible camp stove are frequently used in connection with shelters (pl. XIX, figs. 1 and 5).

MULTIPLE STOVES

The multiple stove with the high chimney in the middle is a feature which should be avoided in forests, except where the congested use and kind of use on any area (especially the area of limited extent) makes the use of these units necessary. This type of stove may be constructed in units of 2, 3, or 4 (pls. XIII and III—A, figs. 7 and 8).

In general use, this stove in multiples of more than two (except where used within shelters) should be discouraged. The smaller type of stove in single units is much more practical and more easily controlled in actual use. A single stove unit permits a better distribution of use over the area and provides more family privacy. Its economy of construction, where multiple stoves are required, is one of the factors in its favor.

WARMING FIRES

On many campgrounds and picnic areas, the warming fire (pl. XX, fig. 1) for the use of community groups is a practical feature. These units are desirable in locations where the evenings are cool, and also in some of the mountain areas where the natural temperature of the water and air is somewhat below that which makes for comfort. They are often used in connection with swimming pools in the forest areas. There is much more reflected heat from these fires than from the campfire circle. They cannot be used with safety where the fire hazard is great.

COMBINED SHELTER AND FIREPLACE

Plate XIX shows types of shelters which are used either in connection with an outside fireplace, or in which a fireplace is constructed. The type known as the" Adirondak shelter" (pl. XIX, fig. 5) and the type known as the "Trailside shelter" (pl. XIX, fig. 3) are very popular, especially in areas where there are frequent and sudden rains and also where hikers use trails during the early spring and late fall.

There are also shelter buildings for use during inclement weather, in which campers may live and prepare their food or keep themselves warm.

BARBECUE PITS AND BARBECUE OVENS

Other types of camp stoves are the barbecue pit and barbecue oven. In some parts of the western regions of the national forests and in Puerto Rico, barbecue pits and ovens are frequently used. The purpose of these features is that of cooking an entire carcass or large portions of a carcass at one time, in order to serve large gatherings.

These units must be carefully designed, and constructed for practical use. They may be an interesting and a desirable feature on any large and intensively used picnic area. They are seldom constructed on campgrounds.