Josh Thurmond, a passionate outdoorsman, created Lavabox after facing the common frustration of fire bans during dry seasons, which prevent campers from having traditional campfires. To solve this issue, he designed a portable campfire that uses propane and is housed in a durable military-grade ammo can, allowing people to enjoy safe and legal flames even when fire restrictions are in place.
Josh sought investment on Shark Tank, asking for $200,000 in exchange for 10% of his company. After some negotiations, he agreed to a deal with investor Lori Greiner: $200,000 for 12.5% of the business plus a royalty of $0.75 for each unit sold. Although the deal didn’t work out after the show, Lavabox gained popularity and success thanks to its exposure on Shark Tank.
LavaBox Portable CampFire Net Worth Shark Tank Update 2025
Josh was looking for an investment of $200k in exchange for 10% equity in the company. At the time of the episode, he valued his company at $2 million. Josh successfully secured a deal with Lori for an investment of $200k for 12.5% equity in the company. The investment adjusted the company’s net worth to around $1.6 million. After the show was aired, the company experienced a good boost in exposure. As per my rough estimate, the current net worth of Lavabox in 2025 is around $2 million.
Shark(s) name
Offer & Demand
Counteroffer
Accepted?
Daniel Lubetzky
Out
N/A
N/A
Lori Greiner
$200k for a 15% stake + a royalty of 75 cents per unit sold until $200k is paid$200k for a 12.5% stake + a royalty of 75 cents per unit sold until $200k is paid
$200k for a 12% stake + a royalty of 75 cents per unit sold until $200k is paid
Yes
Kevin O’Leary
$200,000 for 20% equity 200,000 for 10% equity
N/A
No
Daymond John
$200,000 for 20% equity 200,000 for 10% equity
N/A
No
Mark Cuban
Out
N/A
N/A
Josh Thurmond Backstory + Their Initial Pitch
Josh Thurmond is an unconventional businessman who spends his days creating adventure programs for athletes with disabilities and his evenings embracing camping. Despite fire bans during Colorado’s severe drought in 2020, he found a way to keep the warm camping tradition alive.
He designed a unique campfire solution called Lavabox, which is a portable, safe firebox made from military-grade steel that uses propane instead of wood.
The Lavabox is not only safe, producing no sparks or embers but also lightweight at only 18 pounds. Since its launch, Josh has sold over 4,000 units, earning $610,000 in revenue and making $290,000 in profits. He has also partnered with 21 retail stores.
Josh recently appeared on Shark Tank and is seeking $200,000 in exchange for a 10% ownership stake in his company. This funding would help him increase production, expand into larger retail stores, and develop new products.
Queries + Shark’s Responses, and Final Deal
Kevin O’Leary, one of the Sharks, started the bidding at $200,000 for a 20% share of the company. He thought Lavabox could make good money but wanted a bigger share of the business.
Daymond John matched Kevin’s offer of $200,000 for the same 20% share but suggested that Lavabox should focus on licensing their product rather than selling it directly to consumers.
Lori Greiner, a Shark known for her retail expertise, also offered $200,000 but with different terms:
– She wanted 15% of the company as a stake.
– Additionally, she proposed a royalty of $0.75 for each unit sold until she recouped her initial investment of $200,000.
– After some negotiations, they agreed to drop her stake to 12.5%.
Mark Cuban, another prominent Shark, chose not to invest. He felt that places like Bass Pro Shops (retailers that might carry Lavabox) weren’t suitable for the product being offered.
After discussions and negotiations, Josh decided to go with Lori’s offer, appreciating her experience in retail, especially with shopping channels like QVC. The deal ultimately valued Lavabox at $1.6 million, based on the investment and equity being discussed.
Product Availability
Lavabox sells four types of portable outdoor burners, each with different features and prices:
1. Vol-Can-O ($199) – This is the basic model with a single burner, perfect for simple cooking needs.
2. Tacana Twosome ($229) – This model comes with a grill attachment, making it great for grilling alongside standard cooking.
3. Krakatoa Firebreather ($329) – This one features larger flames for more intense heat, ideal for outdoor cooking that requires high temperatures.
4. Hekla ($349) – The premium option made from stainless steel, known for durability and style.
You can buy any of these models from The Lavabox website, Over 50 specialty outdoor stores and Certain REI stores
What Happened To The LavaBox Portable CampFire After Shark Tank?
Josh was excited about a business deal with Lori from Shark Tank, but he decided not to go through with it because he wanted to keep complete control of his company. Even without the deal, his business still saw a lot of positive changes thanks to the show. From 2022 to 2024 the company made $1.2 million every year. They started selling their products in over 50 stores across the country.
They introduced new products, including a fire pit called the Krakatoa Firebreather that sells for $329. They expanded their offerings to include more camping gear.
The company also improved there operations. They were able to get new customers more cheaply. They made their manufacturing process more efficient. They built dependable relationships with suppliers to ensure consistent product availability.
By today, Josh’s company, Lavabox, had grown and was valued at $2 million, all while continuing to focus on making campfires enjoyable and safe for everyone.
Conclusion
Lavabox is a product that makes camping easier and safer, especially when it comes to starting and managing campfires. Because climate change is making wildfires more common, having a reliable way to have a safe fire is really important.
The person behind Lavabox, Josh, may not have successfully pitched it on Shark Tank, but the idea and the product are still doing well and making a positive impact. For people who love spending time outdoors, this means they can enjoy their campfires in a safer way for many years to come.
Hey, I’m Amna Habib, an undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor’s in Business Administration. Shark Tank has always been one of my favorite TV shows because it offers a unique glimpse into the world of entrepreneurship. The way entrepreneurs present innovative solutions to everyday problems aligns with my academic interests and fuels my curiosity about business strategies. Each pitch showcases creativity and strategic decision-making, which I find both insightful and inspiring. Watching the show has deepened my passion for business and motivated me to explore the world of entrepreneurship even further. Beyond business and writing, I love food, shopping, and spending time with my friends and family.
