[Review] The Kamoto Openfire Pit by Primus

The Kamoto OpenFire Pit by Primus was the perfect product before we even knew it existed. For years we’ve been camping at the same place in Moab, Utah but there was one element we were really missing. A campfire at night to watch the stars come out, wind down after a long day of adventure, and enjoy s’mores and noises of the desert night. Where we camp does not allow fire pits to be built, even when there are no restrictions on burning. Now with the Kamoto, we can build a fire no matter where we are without leaving a trace.

Not only is the Kamoto portable, but it’s also super easy to set up and take down and fold relatively flat for easy packing. With a few moves, the Kamoto is ready for a fire either with wood or charcoal. For our most recent van trip, we were so psyched that the Kamoto comes with a grill grate. We had our evening source of entertainment but we were also able to cook many dinners on the Kamoto as we didn’t have a propane grill with us. For us, this eliminates having to bring a grill. While cooking on the Kamoto is a little bit slower than cooking on a grill with propane, we thoroughly enjoy cooking with it and are often times in no rush when using it.

The Kamoto is made from stainless and powder-coated steel and we feel as though it’s held up really well from the last few months of use and abuse. We were nervous that we would experience some warping of the metal from the heat but so far we have not had any issues. The grate does have a slight wave in it from the heat but it is not noticeable when using the grill.

Even with the sides installed and the design of the lower tray to catch ashes, we feel as though there are just a few remnants of ash on the ground after using the Kamoto. This is totally fine when using the Kamoto on dirt or gravel but something to be cautious of if you’re using the Kamoto in grass or dry brush. We probably overload our Kamoto 99% of the time so if you are mindful of this, you may not have any ash spill over.

The Kamoto OpenFire Pit weighs in at 15 pounds and is 18.5″ x 2.4″ 25.6.” We’ve been using the large size, which seems like the ideal size for us. Primus also makes a smaller size as well as a few more options for OpenFire cooking and accessories that are compatible with the Kamoto. For us, this size is just fine for throwing in the van or for car camping. Obviously, this is not going to be a product that accompanies you on a lightweight backpacking trip but for what it’s intended purposes are, it’s perfect.

One thing we would highly recommend is buying the Primus OpenFire Pan Pack Sack IF YOU GO WITH THE SMALLER SIZE. As of right now, the Pack Sack is not available for the Large Kamoto. We really wish that there was a Pack Sack for the Kamoto because there is no way around it being an absolute mess. We even try to hose it down after use but it just continues to cover anything it touches in black soot. It’s hard to knock Primus for this because after all, you are transporting a fire pit but we just wish we had a way to contain it. For right now, we try to wash after use and store in a trash bag. It’s not the ideal situation but it does protect other gear from getting dirty.

If you’re looking for a way to enjoy a fire without leaving a trace, need an outdoor fire pit for your yard, or are looking for the perfect outdoor kitchen for your van or camper, look no further than the Kamoto OpenFire Pit by Primus. Packing the Primus has been an ideal accessory for the van as we get to use it for cooking, star gazing, warmth, and s’more making. 

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