Propane firepits bring warmth and ambiance to camping without the work or risks of burning wood. Until recently, the Howl Campfires R4 was the king of firepits. But it was a heavy lift for both arms and wallet, at 34 pounds and $1,299.

Launched today, the Howl R1 addresses all the potential downsides of the Howl R4 in a package that not only fits in standard vehicles (the R1 is only suitable for trucks and vans due to the size) but is so much more approachable at $349.

Last month, we had our week of harsh winter in Texas, with temperatures well below freezing and an actual snowstorm. Refusing to be cooped up indoors, I tested the Howl R1 in my yard, which is a wildlife refuge, for this First Look review. All the downed wood was soaked from a month of rain. But my child, dog, and I were able to enjoy evenings in the rare true winter conditions.

In short: The Howl R1 is a durable, portable propane firepit. While not as warm as some larger models, this 11-pound heat source still gives plenty of warmth for a cozy evening. And at a reasonable price and size, it’s a justifiable expense, especially for those who camp in areas with frequent fire bans.

Shopping for a firepit? Check out our comprehensive guide to the Best Firepits.

Howl Campfires R1 First Look Review

Tank-Like Construction

The standout feature of the Howl R4 was its incredibly stout materials and construction. I confidently claimed it would become a family heirloom, and I feel the same about the R1. The Colorado-based manufacturing crew uses 16-gauge laser-cut 304 stainless steel and aluminum, similar to the R4.

However, the Howl Campfires R1 is a fraction of the size and weight of the R1. At 11 pounds and 13.3″ x 8.4″ x 6″ with legs folded, the R4 dwarfs it.

Flame Burner Technology

To make the R1 infinitely more portable than its larger cousin, Howl Campfires omitted one of the hallmarks of the R4. The smaller unit doesn’t have the BarCoal tube burners that blast radiant heat out the sides that could have melted my thighs. Instead, it makes do with the same top-mounted A-Flame burner technology that sent a tepee-shaped flame skyward on the R4.

The Howl R1 burner has 160 precision machined micro-emitters that each produce a tiny flame. The flames converge to form a single triangular flame. This “trick” of fluid dynamics is said to generate a taller flame without drawing more fuel.

Most firepits rely on vertical walls to shield the flames from wind. Howl Campfires employs a “Flex Dome” windscreen that lies just above the flame emitters. Since each flame is tiny at this point, presumably, this shielding still works and allows the most usable flame height and light, reducing fuel needs.

Howl Campfires claims an operating temperature of 800 degrees Fahrenheit for the R1.

The Howl Campfires R1 Propane Firepit in the Field

My experience with the R1 was similar to that with the R4, albeit with a few drawbacks. However, portability and much lower prices were tradeoffs that were hard to ignore.

Portability

The Howl R4 is bulky and hard to store in a vehicle. Moving is a two-handed affair for most, especially with a 20-pound propane tank strapped to it, which was the best way to transport it in a car.

The Howl R1 is the opposite. It’s easy to throw about with one hand and is easily stored at the size of a shoebox. Like the R4, I strapped an 11-pound propane tank to it to drive it about. And the combined package was still easily manageable, even for my 11-year-old daughter.

Heat and Flame Production

When I fired up the Howl R1, I immediately recognized the triangular flame shape. Although the R1’s visuals and ambiance matched the R4’s, I was about to discover if it could roast me like its predecessor.

Heat Generation

When I turned the fuel flow rate to the maximum, the flame jumped over waist height. This was visually stunning coming from such a small firepit. But the perception of heat wasn’t nearly the same as the R4. I felt this was entirely due to the lack of radiant heat tubes that pushed immense radiant heat out the sides.

Those glowing tubes were the primary heat source on the R4. The flames were a secondary source of convective heat and the source of light and ambiance.

The Howl R1 put out welcome heat, but it was much less intense. It mimicked the heat of a real campfire, meaning I relied on the vertical column of flame to warm me. However, it’s much less effective than radiant heat, as fires have to warm the air first, which in turn warms the body. Radiant heat cuts right to the body.

My instinct was to turn the propane flow rate to the maximum to get the biggest, tallest flame. But turning it down to a lower setting, standing much closer, and being above the smaller flames made me feel warmer faster.

Ultimately, the Howl R1 felt as effective in warming me as the modest campfires I usually set up at my house. The R4 was an extreme outlier in its ability to heat the body.

Weather Resistance

On windy nights, the top half of the flame would get blown about, and I could feel the temporary shift in convective heat. But the flame never came close to extinguishing. And during a night of intermittent light rain, the Howl R1 happily continued burning.

Although the R4 and R1 flame never went out, only the R4’s radiant heat went unaffected. It always warmed me with the same intensity regardless of the conditions.

Fuel Consumption

I didn’t use the Howl R1 high enough or long enough to drain my 11-pound propane tank completely. I never ran it at the highest setting. The brand claims it can run full blast for 8 hours on a 20-pound propane tank.

Closing Thoughts About the Howl R1 Propane Firepit

My Central Texas area has been in a perpetual state of rotating burn bans for years. I started using firepits during the pandemic to enjoy a campfire’s beloved warming and camaraderie-creating power. And when front-country car camping, having a firepit has saved the day when unexpected rain makes downed wood unburnable.

If I were winter camping in mountainous states, I would make every attempt to haul the Howl Campfires R4. But if that were not possible, the Howl R1 would get my vote over all other firepits. It warmed me as effectively as a campfire but better survived the weather. And there was zero smoke to deal with.

For me, the Howl R4 lives in a van, while the R1 remains packed in the back of my Subaru Outback Wilderness. I’m always ready for an impromptu fire session.

Lastly, and maybe most importantly, the materials and construction made me confident that I would pass this down to my daughter to enjoy. Just like its bigger brother, it’s a family heirloom.