Smokeless fireplace pits have taken over American backyards, however the identical can’t be stated for its campgrounds. Whereas a smokeless fireplace pit makes for an undeniably higher expertise in comparison with a basic campfire ring, there’s solely a lot gear you possibly can slot in your SUV. Vargo, well-known within the ultralight backpacking world for his or her light-weight titanium merchandise, solved this drawback neatly with the Vargo MegaHex. Whereas different smokeless fireplace pits are made out of huge panels of welded stainless-steel, the MegaHex is made up of 5 separate elements which fold up, origami-style, right into a slim bundle that may simply match in-between the remainder of the gear packed up in your car.
- Weight: 25 kilos (measured at 24.9 kilos)
- Measured Folded Dimensions: 25.5 inches nook to nook x 2 inches thick
- Assembled Dimensions: 13.25 inches excessive x 24 inches (15.75 inches)
- Measured Assembled Dimensions: 13.5 inches excessive x 24.25 inches (18.25 inches)
- Materials: 201 Stainless Metal
- 5 separate items
- Restricted lifetime guarantee
The MegaHex is predicated on the design of Vargo’s backpacking wooden range, the Hexagon. Not like its smaller counterpart, and the remainder of Vargo’s providing, the MegaHex breaks from custom and solely is available in stainless-steel — simply as effectively given the upper price of merchandise comprised of titanium. It packs right into a helpful carrying case that closes with velcro and has a deal with on the highest.
Like different smokeless fireplace pits, it’s designed to maximise the warmth of the fireplace, which helps to attenuate each smoke and ash. Not like different fireplace pits, the collapsible design makes it rather a lot simpler to see how this one works. Air is pulled via the openings on the base of the MegaHex, coming into the hole house between the outside of the fireplace pit and the fireplace itself. A number of the air is pulled down beneath the panel stand, to feed the fireplace on the base. The remainder of the air is pulled in via the air holes on the high of the inside panel, serving to to wrap up the combustion of any remaining gas because it exits the MegaHex on the high.
Testing the Vargo MegaHex within the Subject
I examined the Vargo MegaHex on a protracted weekend with buddies out on the Kitsap Peninsula of Washington State. It was mid-August, so it ought to have been heat and sunny, however in true PNW model it was chilly, moist, and darkish sufficient to be mistaken for fall. Within the night, our crew was prepared for decent drinks and a roaring campfire.
Meeting
Regardless of having by no means arrange the MegaHex, it was surprisingly intuitive. When you unzip the case, there are 5 items to assemble. It begins with the bottom.
That is the place any remaining ash or unburned wooden will land on the finish of utilizing the fireplace pit. As a result of it’s made from such a skinny piece of stainless-steel (solely 7.3 lbs), it’ll conduct numerous warmth in a short time. In case you’re utilizing this in your patio or deck, and don’t wish to mark it up, you then’ll wish to elevate it off the bottom. (We used some bricks whereas testing that labored simply wonderful.)
Subsequent up is the panel stand, positioned on high of the bottom. This helps the 2 panels and improves airflow.
The inside panel is slotted into the panel stand, utilizing a sequence of tabs.
The outer panel, which is self-supporting, wraps across the inside panel with the underside slanted towards the sting of the bottom.
Final up is the cap that goes on high of the inside and outer panels. All in all of the Vargo MegaHex Smokeless Hearth Pit takes solely a minute or two to assemble.
Constructing a Hearth
Laura Lancaster
Like with all smokeless fireplace pits, the MegaHex was simple and simple to take from lit match to roaring fireplace. We used a firestarter coupled with some paper grocery luggage that had been mendacity round, and had a raging fireplace going very quickly. Regardless of overloading the fireplace pit to start out, it burned down rapidly and there was no smoke bothering us for the remainder of the night.
What the Vargo MegaHex Does Greatest
The Vargo MegaHex packs flat, which implies it takes up a fraction of the house of different smokeless fireplace pits. When packing up my Toyota 4runner for 2 weeks of tenting and backpacking, I shoved it right into a slender slot between my tenting water container and energy station. Moderately than packing round this smokeless fireplace pit, you should use it to fill within the gaps. Think about doing that with even the smallest of the Solo Stoves.
Laura Lancaster
Like different smokeless fireplace pits, this one additionally does an important job of burning scorching, maximizing air stream and minimizing the smoke. The lengthy weekend the place I examined this unit was chilly and damp, and we actually appreciated the heat and ambiance it supplied.
Once I was packing up the range on the finish of the lengthy weekend, I appreciated how easy it was to eliminate the ashes. With simply the bottom part to hold, it was light-weight and simple to dump out.
The place the Vargo MegaHex Can Enhance
Regardless of being so compact, the MegaHex isn’t particularly light-weight. It’s each barely smaller and barely heavier than the comparably sized Solo Range Bonfire.
Learn Subsequent: The Best Smokeless Fire Pits
As a result of the MegaHex is so skinny, anticipate some warping to happen from the warmth of the unit. After a few makes use of, the bottom on the one I examined would not lay flat.
Lastly, in comparison with the comfortable curves and pleasing aesthetic of a Solo Range or Breeo smokeless fireplace pit, the Vargo MegaHex has a little bit of an industrial look to it. Architecturally, that is extra brutalist than mid-century trendy. Personally, I sort of favored the look of it, however most individuals I confirmed it to had a damaging response to its look.
This aesthetic was heightened by the discoloration that occurred to the unit after its preliminary use. In comparison with the outside of different smokeless fireplace pits, anticipate this one will get that broken-in look a bit sooner on common. Particularly if you happen to shake out the ashes and pack up the unit with out completely cleansing it off (as I did). One addition I’d make for the following time I used the Vargo Mega Hex is to hold a small whisk broom.
Closing Ideas
Smokeless fireplace pits have turn out to be a well-liked a part of yard get-togethers, however their measurement and bulk has restricted their utility elsewhere. The slim packed profile of the Vargo MegaHex not solely makes it a viable possibility for automotive campers and overlanders, however even for white-water rafters and canoe campers. Given the more and more strict necessities for having a campfire in numerous outside settings, there’s certain to be an growing want for a packable fireplace pit possibility like this.
