Old 80 gallon syrup kettle / rendering pot

[NitroSteel]

I've been looking for one of these for years to use as a firepit in my backyard. Finally found one that I am making a trade for.  As I'm getting ready to set this up in my backyard, one of my friends tells me that the fire will likely bust/crack it since it is cast iron.

Are yall familiar with these kettles?  I read of others who use these as firepits, but I don't want to risk ruining it.  I have seen others cracked, but was told they usually are cracked because they are full of water and freeze/thaw repeatedly. These kettles are close to 100 years old and seem to usually sell for around $1000, though I've seen them sold for over $4000.  I paid much less for mine, but finding another would likely be tough...

Any experience or thoughts on the risk of fire cracking one?  They are about 1/2 inch thick or more and weigh close to 400 pounds. 

Here is a link to a picture of one:  http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/antique-80-gallon-cast-iron-syrup-kettles

thank yall

nitrosteel

[briarpatch]

Get a semi truck tire wheel. they make good firepits and you can save the old pot.

[hillbill]

ive read a little about them and have always kept my eyes open to pick one up but have never seen one at a reasonable price. from what ive read i wouldnt put a fire inside it for sure.one of cast irons qualities is ability to transfer the heat to material being cooked. when heated dry like that the iron takes all the heat and its really not good for it.i would do like the previous poster mentioned and get a semi wheel, i have one that i welded a bottom and legs on and even has adjustable draft plate on the bottom. works very well.those old pots are getting rarer all the time. season it up and keep it as a family heirloom.

[Pat/Rick]

Crack?? Yep, could be. cast iron, if heated or cooled should be done equally. Any heating cooling more rapidly in one spot or another could definently cause cracking.

[NitroSteel]

i traded a nice smoker (250 gallon propane tank) I'd built. had about $300 plus time in it. it is very nice...

The other part of the trade (coming to me) is a MAX4 amphibious 6 wheeler.  It needs a carb kit, and a little tlc, but I think I can get it going for very little.

i'm happy and he's happy.  The new smoker I'm building is out of a 500 gallon tank, so I didnt really have a use for 2 anyways....

[chefjeff]

Please don't mess up that fine old pot. Posters are right ,all you need is the semi wheel,available cheaply.Hillbill,you couldn't show a picture of yours,could you? I made a stand for my stew pot that is a thick piece of flanged steel ductwork.Cut & hinged a door for draft and ash removal/coals addition. Can be used with a propane burner also.You don't lose too much heat with this rig. A fire pit can be nicely handmade from fire bricks.Those big old pots are hard to come by.

[Junior1942]

It could also have been used to make indigo dye at a ~1800 plantation.  They boiled the plant in human urine.  Yep, everybody urinated in the pot, which was always set up downwind of the plantation Big House.

Rain will collect in that pot and freeze and bust it.  Building a fire in it will also bust it.  Please save it somehow. Maybe loan it to a local museum???

[Pat/Rick]

Another good item to use as a fire pit/bowl is the enameled drum from a washing machine. They last along time and all them little holes not only provide alot of air for the fire, but a diffused glow as well. You could probably get one very cheap.