Introduction: Fire Stoker-Blower (camping or Home Fire Pit)

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Based on a similar concept I had growing up for our fireplace, this is a tool for blowing air into embers to bring them back to life...the perk is that it puts your face 5.5 feet from where you want to blow so you get to keep your eyebrows! We had just a short 1/4" piece of straight (copper or brass) tubing, but it was only about 2' long, and this would probably not be pleasant to blow into a pipe that size for over 5' (back pressure and all...)

The purpose of reducing the 1/2" conduit to a 1/4" is the increase the pressure of the air you are blowing into the embers.

My initial prototype was meant for use at home, so I had no need to make it more compact for travel. I took the full-size version camping and decided I needed to make another that could be packed into our camping tubs.

Depending on if you decide the include the option to break it down, you cost should range from around $8-12 (ish)

Step 1: Gathering the Parts & Tools

The brand isn't important, these are just to show the size/type of parts I used. All parts were acquired from the electrical and plumbing sections at Home Depot.

ELECTRICAL SECTION:
(1) 1/2" x 5' conduit
(1) Bag of 1/2" compression connectors with insulated throat (you'll remove the insulation fcor this)...at my store I couldn't buy singles of these and I might make another one or two for friends
(1) Bag of 1/2" set-screw couplings (same story...needed two, might make multiples...bought a bag) *optional*

PLUMBING SECTION:
(1) 1/4" x 3" pipe segment (not sure what they called it
(1) 1/2" x 1/4" coupling reducer

TOOLS: (only needed if you are taking the option to make this segmented to break down for easier packing)
• Something to cut the conduit with. I used a hacksaw; a cut-off wheel on a rotary tool, such as a Dremmel, would work as well
• Something to de-burr the cut end of the pipe with (sandpaper, grinding wheel, Dremmel grinding head, etc.)
• Screwdriver (phillips or flat head)

Step 2: Initial Assembly

If you are making this for home use and don't need/want to be able to break it down, then you can stop here...no screw-type couplers needed. This step is pretty straight forward, remove insulation from compression coupler (yellow stuff in second image...don't need that melting and clogging the works up) and then screw it down onto the end of the conduit; reducer attaches there, and then the 3" piece

Step 3: Cutting and Segmenting

By my measurements, the first cut from the assembled end should be 22", then cut the remaining piece in half and add screw-type couplers...one to each of the two cut pieces. Grind the rough edges as-needed.

Step 4: Final Thoughts

If you have access to quality metalworking equipment and/or a welder, you can easily make alterations/improvements to this design, such as adding a hook toward the end like a regular fire poker. you could also crimp the end down either to something close to a quarter inch diameter, or enough to weld the 1/4" pipe on.

I also need to make a stand to keep this upright (out of the way)...I haven't gotten around to building it yet, but my plans are for a pvc pipe about 18" long that this will fit into, with angle brackets attached at the bottom for tent stakes or nails to be driven through.