Campfire rings are iconic American symbols, stirring up visions of campers and outdoorsmen. They are still found in campgrounds, roadside rests, backyards and National Parks all across the country. They bring with them memories of camping out in the woods, fragrant smoke and fireflies. Seeing fire rings conjures visions of hoards of little boy-scouts huddled around their scout leaders as they listen to tantalizing tales of ghosts. Fire rings show up at ocean side parks, as well. Set deep into the sand near the crashing waves, they are the perfect place for frying fish or baking clams.

There was a time when campfire rings were the sole domain of campgrounds and summertime. Not anymore. Now, with more and more people choosing to make camp fire rings a part of their backyard decor, fire rings can be used all year long and without ever leaving home. Fire rings can be the focal point of any party. Any event can be transformed into a real backyard camp out, complete with hot dogs on forks and roasted marshmallows. A barbecue can include shish kabobs roasted right there on the open fire. Even simple events like serving after-dinner cocktails can become elegant affairs when the drinks are sipped at the edges of roaring fires in camp fire rings.

Today's camp fire rings feature some that are small enough for any homeowner. They can be set up next to hot tubs. There is nothing more romantic than watching a crackling fire while gently letting the cares of the day soak away into warm, bubbling water. Fire rings can be set up near decks, too, so they can be enjoyed whenever the deck is in use.

Nothing tastes quite like food cooked the old-fashioned way. With campfire rings, the food itself is not the whole event; the cozy, heart-warming cooking process is half the fun. Campfire rings are the perfect place to lay a bed of coals and start slow-roasting outdoor foods. Hot dogs are the most traditional choice, of course, and never taste better than when cooked to smoky perfection on a long-handled fork. Sausages of all kinds work well, too. They can be pulled straight from the fork and put, hot and sizzling, onto a bun. The encircling edges of camp fire rings, keep coals safely contained, and also provide a place to rest a fork while cooking. Potatoes, wrapped in foil, can be tucked along the edges, roasting to perfection while the rest of the meal is prepared.