Iron worker makes firepits and downtown decorations

Marshmallows, anyone?

Big Bear Firepits are taking the night (and day) by storm, with Troy Jenkins and his father, Steve Jenkins, manufacturing these burly, custom-made firepits and burn barrels for home and commercial use out of cold-rolled steel and plenty of old-fashioned ingenuity. The blazing fire rings, many decorated with Western-themed cutouts of horses, stars and horseshoes, are appearing around town and businesses as gathering spots and communal warming zones, harkening back to ancient times when tribes flocked near the hypnotic flames for survival and companionship.

"We started doing this two summers ago, when I was in paramedic school in Portland," said Troy. "I had a place in Portland and wanted a little firepit out on the back porch for when company came over. My parents got me one from Big R or G.I. Joes, and it was cheaply built and really cheesy. My dad and I are always trying to make things better and improve on the initial design of consumer products, and this needed help."

Jenkins' father always instilled that desire in his son, and this started conversations about constructing a beefier, stronger firepit in different sizes.

"The idea was to give it our own style and flair," explained Troy. "I was a fabricator for three years in Hillsboro, building fire engines and emergency vehicles, and so that gave me the background. We took the concept of the small outdoor fireplace I got and wanted to give it a larger-scale, rugged look and Western feel. So we put a prototype together out of a steel tank and stuck a flat bottom on it. We made decorative cutouts on the side of it and welded in expanded metal to retard the sparks and ashes. Once we did that we put on steel angle-iron legs and got it up off the ground.

"Next we put a spark arrester on it, since the flames inside were a lot larger. It was definitely a learn-as-you-go process. We thought if people experienced them and wanted to buy them we could we put it into a production line and design it with nicer materials and finishes."

Jenkins relocated to Sisters in February this year to be closer to his family and now works for the Red Cross in Bend. In his free time they're producing these firepits as the orders come in. He and his father also created the iron rodeo cowboys that top the trash barrels around town. But it's the firepits that they're concentrating most on, especially as summer slowly arrives.

"Western icons and symbols are plasma-cut around the base to allow oxygen to draw in from below to self-feed the fire," Troy said. "That really gets it roaring and provides a bright crackling flame with minimal smoking. They're tough and durable, and it's not ever going to get knocked over."

The King Bear, a massive 54-inch diameter firepit, weighs in at a hefty 200 pounds; smaller 20-inch models named the Baby Bear are sized for beach trips or camping excursions.

Both Jenkinses agree it's the social atmosphere and the comfort of a nice fire that brings people together. 

"And you can literally pull it out of your trailer or truck, set it down, throw wood in it and it's a go," Troy said. "It provides an instant environment for parties or enhancing your home or deck. Plus, everybody loves something locally handmade and unique."

Big Bear Firepits are installed downtown at Los Agaves Mexican Grill, throughout the campgrounds at Three Sisters Overnight Park and many local ranches. For more information visit http://www.bigbear.cowboyjohngrant.com or call

503-956-6118.