Lavabox Portable Campfire Update | Shark Tank Season 14
In 2020, during fire bans in Colorado and strict pandemic rules, Josh Thurmond couldn’t enjoy campfires while camping. He created Lavabox, a portable propane campfire made from ammo boxes, to solve this problem. It’s a safe and simple way for people to have a campfire without starting wildfires. Were the sharks interested in a deal? Let’s take a closer look at our Lavabox update and pitch recap to find out.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick overview of what happened to Lavabox after
Josh entered
In terms of a Lavabox update, the company saw significant growth, including $1.2 million in annual revenue by 2022, product line expansion, new retail partnerships, and environmental contributions.
| Shark | Result |
| Lori Greiner | Accepted offer of $200,000 for 12.5% equity plus $0.75 per unit sold |
| Daymond John | $200,000 for 15% equity |
| Kevin O’Leary | $200,000 for 10% equity |
| Mark Cuban | No offer |
| Daniel Lubetzky | No offer |
Shark Tank Lavabox Pitch
- Entrepreneur: Josh Thurmond
- Business: Portable campfires
- Ask: $200,000 for 10% equity
- Result: $200,000 for 12.5% equity plus $0.75 per unit sold
- Shark: Lori Greiner
Josh walked into
Seeking $200,000 for 10% equity, he explained that he needed the investment to scale production and meet the rising demand for his product.
Lavabox is a portable propane campfire designed in a military-style ammo box, offering a combination of safety, durability, and portability.
The design uses cold-rolled steel and stainless steel, ensuring it is long-lasting and compliant with fire safety standards.
Moreover, its compact size makes it simple to transport and set up, appealing to outdoor enthusiasts, especially in areas with fire bans.
Operating on propane, the campfire provides a safe, hassle-free alternative to traditional fires.
Additionally, the Hekla over-under grill expands its use, allowing customers to cook meals while enjoying the warmth of the fire.
When Lori Greiner asked about his background, Josh shared his story. He explained that he is an experienced outdoorsman and river guide who develops adventure programs for people with disabilities at the National Sports Center for the Disabled.
In 2020, during a time when fire bans were in place across Colorado due to extreme drought conditions, Josh became frustrated with the limitations on campfires.
Inspired by this challenge, he placed a propane gas lead inside an ammo box, added ceramic “rocks,” and created Lavabox. He quickly patented the invention and began selling it to the public.
Lavabox offers several models to fit different needs. The basic Vol-Can-O costs $199, while the Tacana Twosome, which includes the over-under grill, costs $229.
For those wanting a larger option, the Krakatoa Firebreather and the stainless steel Hekla are priced at $329.
Josh also sells various accessories, although customers must provide their own propane tanks.
Lavabox is available through 21 independent retailers, mostly in Colorado, as well as on the company’s website.
By August 2022, Lavabox had sold over 4,000 units, generating $610,000 in sales and $290,000 in profits. Josh anticipated ending the year with over $1.2 million in gross revenue.
Despite this success, he struggled to keep up with demand, often relying on pre-orders to manage inventory. He told the sharks he needed their help to scale the business and expand into big box retailers.
Mark Cuban asked about Josh’s sales strategy, and Josh explained that most of his sales come from word-of-mouth referrals.
While Lori expressed interest in his desire to enter big box stores, Mark disagreed, suggesting that he didn’t need to pursue retailers like Bass Pro Shops.
The sharks were impressed by Josh’s sales numbers and the product’s potential.
Kevin O’Leary made the first offer of $200,000 for 20% equity.
Daymond John followed with an offer of $200,000 for 20% equity, proposing a licensing strategy.
Lori then offered $200,000 for 15% equity, with an additional $0.75 per unit royalty until she recouped her investment of $200,000.
Josh countered Lori’s offer with 12% equity and the royalty deal, and Lori responded with 12.5% equity.
Daymond revised his offer to 15% equity with no royalty, while Kevin went to $200,000 for 10% equity with no royalty.
After considering all his options, Josh accepted Lori’s revised offer of $200,000 for 12.5% equity plus $0.75 per unit sold.
Now that he left with a deal, let’s get a Lavabox update to see how his company is doing today.
Shark Tank Lavabox Update
Our Lavabox update found that nearly a year after his appearance on
He opted to retain full control of the company, unwilling to give up 12.5% of what he had worked so hard to build.
The exposure from the show, however, proved invaluable, drastically reducing customer acquisition costs for his company.
By the end of 2022, Lavabox’s annual revenue had reached $1.2 million.
The company expanded its product line to include various sizes of portable campfires and accessories, appealing to a broader audience of outdoor enthusiasts.
Meanwhile, Lavabox secured partnerships with 21 mom-and-pop camping supply and sporting goods stores across the United States.
In addition, Lavabox began supporting environmental efforts by donating $1 from every sale to Protect Our Rivers, an organization focused on river conservation and education.
At the time of this writing, Lavabox’s net worth is estimated at $2 million.
We can’t wait to bring you more exciting news in our next Lavabox update.
Do you want to learn about the other companies featured in Season 14 Episode 18? Follow the links below for our other company updates from the episode.
Before you go, be sure to check out our list of all the Shark Tank Season 14 products.
Jeremy is a regular contributor at Shark Tank recap. He has a ton of passion for the show and enjoys researching information about what all the companies are up to now. His favorite Shark Tank companies are The Cookie Dough Cafe and Kronos Golf!