I have the Firecan Elite. As I live in Canada, I got to choose between the Elite and…well…the Elite, but given the choice I would pick this model anyway. That said, I can understand some of the gripes and complaints, as the other two models do not give off the same BTU’s as this model (rated in Canada at 58,000 BTU). I am located in Southwestern BC (Lower Mainland in the Coastal Mountain Range) and over the last three years we have experienced open fire restrictions and outright fire bans from mid May to about end of September. As such we rely heavily on propane fire pits. I am a Scout leader, and within my group we have numerous different models of propane fire pits, some with Lava Rocks and some without. My old fire pit (a locally produced product that I purchased about 12 years ago) used Vermiculite to diffuse and spread the flame, which performed poorly compared to Lava Rocks and subsequently only produced about 29,000 BTU (half of what the Fire Can Elite and other fire pits that use lava rocks puts out).
Our Venture Scout group just came back from a large regional camp where I got to use my Fire Can for the first time. When I first pulled it out I got a lot of comments from other leaders about how tiny it was and the impression that it was going to be basically useless. After using it for three nights in temperature down to about 8°C (about 45°F) they all changed their opinions and numerous other leaders and fellow campers were intrigued by it. We had it on the lowest setting and were able to keep a group of about 10 people warm. Ideally this may not be the best choice for a larger group, but it is more than adequate for a family or 4 to 6 and had no problem keeping our 10+ group warm. It isn’t perfect, but it is definitely better than some fire pits out there. I don’t know how well it would work without the lava rocks, but as I have already had experience with fire pits with and without lava rocks I wouldn’t even try without.
The issues I found with it (what I would like to see changed or improved upon in future models)? First, the hose is too short. I would like to see it at least 8 feet long, and possibly marked with bright colour. I plan to add yellow duck tape to my hose in an alternating (hazard) pattern so it can be easily seen. I do have some concern with the unit being so small if someone were to walk into the hose it could easily tip over the unit. Especially with the shorter hose floating off the ground. I really like the orange silicon feet for when the main feet are in the closed position. It helps to prevent it from sliding around in the back of your vehicle (when it isn’t jam packed with all your other camping gear😉). The problem is they do come off quite easily and you have to be careful not to lose them. My third gripe is with the ends of the unit. The sides have a cut out diamond mesh pattern which visually stands out as well as allowing better radiant heat, but the ends are solid and you can feel the difference with the reduced heat. It would be nice if some of the diamond mesh could be incorporated on the sides to better distribute the heat, making it more usable.
I will note some of the changes you have already made with the Elite (over the original) is a better regulator allowing for higher BTU, the addition of a control knob on the unit as opposed to just controlling it from the tank valve, and moving the inlet pipe to the short side where it is better protected by the legs of the unit. Although it may help to recess it some (if possible).
As I said earlier, we had no problem with 10 people around the unit (except those relegated to the sides without the diamond screen). That was when using the lowest setting. If it was colder the flame can be turned up and doing so definitely gives off considerably more heat but also would burn through the propane much quicker. From our experience we estimated this should last at least 6 to 7 nights (about 4 hours each night) on its lowest setting.
When I first brought this home, my wife immediately asked why, as I already had the other (older) fire pit that I never use anymore. My response was as it was so big, it was too inconvenient to lug around. Not to mention the excess amount of room it took up in my vehicle and the low output. The Vermiculite was also easy to spill and make a mess. These are all problems that the Fire Can Elite overcomes and I look forward to camping with a camp fire once again.
Once I get more experience and use out of it I will update my review, but for now I definitely recommend this product, particularly for families and smaller groups.