the portable fire pit structure includes two foraminous front and rear wall panels that constitute shallow pans defined by peripheral flanges to the mutually facing edge portions of which flanges are attached opposed foldable left and right foraminous wall panel portions medianly hinged whereby the front and rear wall panels may be moved toward each other while the hinged foldable foraminous wall panels fold inwardly to permit collapse of the structure into a compact unit for storage and / or portability . an ash pan is provided insertable into the portable fire pit when extended for use to catch and retain ashes generated from burning wood , for instance , and brackets are provided for selectively retaining a fuel support grate spaced above the ash pan . a detachable grill structure on which food to be cooked may be supported during a cooking operation is also provided . since the burning of any fuel in an enclosed portable structure such as the one described generates a considerable amount of heat , a heat deflector assembly is provided within the portable fire pit structure for absorbing part of the intense heat generated at the core of the fire , thus shielding the outer foraminous walls of the fire pit from such intense heat .