Is A Fire Pit Worth It
If you love spending time outdoors, choosing one of the best fire pits for your yard, patio or deck is definitely worth it. They come in all different sizes, budgets, styles and maintenance levels to suit every type of fire lovers needs. Fire pits are also the place to keep making your favorite camping recipes year-round because you dont have to sleep outdoors to enjoy toasty smores and campfire hot cocoa.
Breeo X Series 19 Smokeless Fire Pit
The Breeo X Series 19 Smokeless Fire Pit comes in a sleek stainless steel exterior or rich, rust-colored patina that blends perfectly with outdoors settings. It also connects with the brands Outpost grilling system to turn your fire pit into an all-in-one outdoors escape just waiting for burgers, hot dogs, veggies and other mouth-watering grilling recipes. The ability to both enjoy the fire and cook hearty meals made this model a total winner in our Breeo fire pit review. These fire pits are made in America and come with a lifetime warranty you can feel good about. Plus, the brand offers free shipping on all fire pit orders.
Pros
How We Evaluated Them
To test each fire pit, we used the same fuel, Simple Simon Premium Hardwood sourced from a local Lowe’s. For a consistent amount, we selected three split log lengths roughly 15 inches long. We then stacked the logs together so at least some portion of each was touching the others.
To ignite each pit, we used Diamond Strike-a-Fire fire starters that were available at our neighborhood Kroger supermarket. One of these starter matches should be all that’s required to get a fire pit’s fire burning. We then logged how long it took to establish a fully sustained fire.
A good fire pit will fully ignite in five to 10 minutes. A pit with poor airflow and design will take a lot longer, or even flame out after 15 minutes no matter how well you’ve stacked your wood. Additionally, we made note of how much smoke escaped each pit. Ideally, a fire pit will generate a lot of flame and little smoke. A quality fire pit will also burn fuel efficiently, leaving little solid material remaining once its fire burns out naturally.
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Gravel Patio Fire Pit Areas: What You Should Know
A fire pit area is one of the best places to spend a relaxed evening with family or friends. Theres nothing quite like gathering around a campfire for conversation with people you love. And roasting a few marshmallows is never a bad idea either!
In this article, well cover one of the best ways to install a patio fire pit area on a budget: a gravel pad.
Before we jump into how to install a gravel patio fire pit area, lets cover a few questions about why gravel pads should even be an option for fire pit areas.
Best Tabletop Fire Pit
- Weight: 19 pounds
- Special features: Easy to handle, cool stone design
Want a small fire pit that you can place just about anywhere? The Terra Flame Fire Bowl is it. This portable pit comes in a rustic-look concrete bowl that doubles as a design feature. Its incredibly versatile, working as a small fireplace for roasting smores or an attention-grabbing centerpiece while youre dining al fresco. The bowl is powered by 13-ounce cans of Terra Flame Gel Fuel thatll give three hours of burn time per can. A nice perk: The bowl doesnt get hot, so you can easily move it when youre done.
What the Reviews Say: I bought this on a whim and I am so glad I didI literally get compliments on it every time we have company over, a satisfied shopper wrote in the reviews. It’s a super unique piece and the gel fuel is so cool! It creates a pretty darn good flame plenty of heat to roast marshmallows! A fellow fan calls the bowl a fantastic value for the price, adding that its heavy and sturdy, looks beautiful and provides a nice flame.
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Poojari Concrete Propane Fire Pit By Red Barrel Studio
Red BarrelStudios fire pit is a small-sized one, the type of fire pit placed on top of a table. The design it features is simple, no much styling, just plain like a concrete bowl. It is very lightweight and an ideal fire pit for a patio.
The Poojari concrete fire pit is a propane gas fire pit . It is strong as it was made from concrete. You do not need to assemble a thing the only thing needed to be done after purchasing this fire pit is to buy the gas tank.
It emits about 40,000 BTU of heat and uses an ignition control system with an adjustable flame feature. The lava rocks to be placed inside the bowl are included in the purchase, along with a sturdy cover to protect the fire pit.
$50 Concrete Tree Ring Firepit
Concrete tree rings make for a brilliant fire pit. Stack two or more tree rings on top of each other. Make a smaller circle using smaller concrete rings on the inside. You can place some stones or pebbles in between the two rings to make it look nicer and to give it a good finishing touch.
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Creating A Low Cost Diy Fire Pit
One thing is for sure, the fire pit always made an evening seem more than magical. And that is exactly why when we moved to the new farm this year, building one became a top priority. In fact, it was one of the very first projects we completed.
Building a fire pit really can be both simple and inexpensive. The secret to success starts by employing a few basic fire pit building techniques that make it both strong, beautiful and functional. Then, by using natural and locally available materials, you can give it an incredible look that also happens to be quite economical.
Our new fire pit at our new farm. The entireire pit was built for just under $50, thanks to using stone we found at the farm.
Both of our fire pits were constructed for under $175 using the same process. In fact, our newest fire pit was actually built for under $50! Here is a step by step look at how we created our fire pit, along with a few tips on the best way to keep your project affordable.
Using The Earth As Your Friend How To Build A DIY Fire Pit
The first key to building a functional fire pit is to keep it slightly below the soil line. Burying the pit a bit under the ground has several big advantages when creating and maintaining a fire.
First, it helps to keep your fire pit safe by preventing the embers of a burning fire from jumping out. It also helps keep the wind from becoming too much of an issue. Both when starting, and for keeping smoke out eyes.
The Cooking Bar Install
Building The Stone Wall
Here’s What To Use In Your Fire Pit
Both permanent and portable fire pits can burn brighter with the right lining materials.
Permanent fire pits can contain heavy material as it won’t need moving regularly. You can combine large rocks, gravel and sand to ensure a fire-proof base that won’t inhibit the flame.
Pro tip: Install a steel ring to line the inner wall of the fire pit. The steel contains the heat produced by the fire and will prolong the life of your fire pit.
A portable fire pit needs materials that can be lifted out and moved. Smaller rocks, glass or gravel are easily removable when you want to clean the fire or move it to another location.
Here are some materials that can withstand high temperatures and help a fire to burn as well:
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Tiki Brand Portable Fire Pit
Take this 21.5-inch TIKI Brand Portable Fire Pit with you on the road, to campsites, cookouts and more. The powder-coated stainless steel finish neatly contains logs, sticks and pellets with ease while keeping fire-lovers safe. Reviewers love the large flame and low smoke this unit provides, which also features a removable ash tray for quick on-the-go cleanup. The lightweight, transportable design has built-in handles for foolproof carrying, and the four-foot heat radius makes it a total win for gathering Adirondack chairs around it come fall.
The kids love it, shares . We use this fire pit a ton. Ive started burning wood in addition to the pellets. I didnt realize how much we needed a fire pit of this size on the deck vs. a large pit in the yard. Its become a part of our weeknight relaxation to sit out and enjoy a fire for an hour or so to wind down before bed.
Pros
Diy Zen Tabletop Mini Firepit
Fire Pits dont always need to look rustic and concrete, and sometimes can look subtle and luxurious. This mini tabletop fire pit is bound to make you feel like you are sitting in the midst of absolute tranquility. With a base, a few pebbles and a glass cover, you can easily create this fire pit at home.
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Best Fire Pits For 2022
Solo Stove Ranger: Squat, cylindrical, compact and made from stainless steel, the Solo Stove Ranger appears simple at first glance. Tucked away inside this pit, though, is the same sophisticated airflow system that its larger sibling, the Solo Stove Yukon, has. The system is designed to enable fire in the pit to burn hotter and consume more of its wood fuel.
We can confirm that the Ranger delivers on these promises. It starts fast, with its logs aflame in just 5 minutes, and it burns for hours. The fires we started in the Ranger also burned with incredible ferocity. The flames inside the pit focused into an impressive rolling vortex. Despite the conflagration, the Ranger emitted very little smoke.
The Ranger does have a few drawbacks. Its compact size means it can’t accept standard 15-inch firewood logs. It’s also not the best for large groups or families. More than two people roasting marshmallows at once quickly becomes a crowd.
The Kingso 22-inch fire pit is small and has poor airflow.
Kingso Outdoor Fire Pit : Though it’s a bestseller on Amazon, we don’t recommend purchasing the Kingso Outdoor Fire Pit. Its small size feels cramped. And since airflow throughout the small fire pit unit is poor, we consistently had difficulty both starting fires and keeping them lit inside this pit. It doesn’t come with a protective cover, either.
A good fire pit will ignite in minutes and stay lit for hours.
Best Smokeless Fire Pit
- Weight: 38 pounds
- Special features: Stainless steel, heat barrier, huge flames
The Solo Stove Yukon has built up a fanbase for so many reasons, but its ability to be smokeless while burning wood is a huge perk. At 38 pounds, this durable fire pit is lighter weight than it looks. A double-walled design makes a burst of hot air over the fire to keep smoke out of your face. And its safe to use on a wooden deck. It also has an efficient burn, creating only tiny particles of ash that are easily dumped out when youre done. To use the stove, simply dump in a few logs, light them up and enjoy. Just a heads up: This fire pit can create a serious flame, so you may want to stand back a little.
What the Reviews Say: This is well worth the money. The best fire pit out there, one happy customer wrote in the reviews. Finally, a solution to the smoke that comes into the house from a fire pit! a fellow user said. My husband loves fire pits but they annoy me with all of the smoky clothes and smoke in the house. This Yukon is the best invention ever, no smoke!! LOVE IT!!
- Weight: 23 pounds
- Special features: Lightweight, travel size, carrying kit
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Best Portable: Fireside Outdoor Pop
Amazon
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Meets USFS and BLM fire pan regulations
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Improperly assembled fire shield can melt
You can take your campfire on the road with the Fireside Outdoor Pop-Up Fire Pit. Not only is this fire pit extremely lightweight, weighing just 7 pounds, but it also meets the United States Forest Service and Bureau of Land Managements fire pan requirements. Plus, it collapses into a compact form, making it easy to carry around using the zippered weather-resistant carrying bag.
You can set up this pop-up fire pit in less than a minute, needing no tools, and it has a weight capacity of 125 pounds. The fire pit’s screened bottom helps increase airflow for less smoke, and included Leave No Trace Heat Shield allows you to start a fire on almost any surface without damaging the ground. You can even use the pan to burn charcoal for grilling, making it a must-have accessory for avid hikers and campers.
Size: 24 x 24 x 15 inches | Material: Rust-free stainless steel | Fuel Type: Wood or charcoal | Features: Collapsible
Best Wood Burning: Tiki Low Smoke Fire Pit
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Ash pan for easy cleanup
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Weatherproof, powder-coated exterior
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Pricey for its size
You can enjoy the crackle of a real wood fire without inhaling smoke with the TIKI Low Smoke Fire Pit. The fire radiates warmth in a 4-foot radius around the pit, and its unique internal airflow system creates less smoke and ash. The fire pit is crafted from powder-coated stainless steel thats extremely durable, and it comes with a stand to elevate it up off the ground. You can use this fire pit with traditional firewood or the brands wood packs, which are easy to light, and burn for 30 minutes.
The TIKI Fire Pit is just under 25 inches wide, but the bowl is on the smaller side, measuring just 16 inches deep and across. A slide-out ash tray at the bottom makes the pit incredibly easy to clean, and the included weatherproof cover enables you to store it outdoors. It’s a bit pricey for its size, but an excellent low-smoke option.
Size: 24.75 x 24.75 x 18.75 inches | Material: Stainless steel | Fuel Type: Wood | Features: Low-smoke design, removable ash pan
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Third Consider A Liner
Fire pit liners have several benefits that are worth considering. The first big one is that it prevents underground root fires and adds support to fire pits if you want it to be permanent.
Liners are also reasonably priced and last for a long time. Makes sense since the material is usually stone or steel of some kind and will help protect surfaces like patios.
Material that is able to withstand very high temperatures without much issue. For additional coverage for your firepit, you can consider utilizing a firepit ring.
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Our Top Pick Is The Hampton Bay Piedmont Steel Fire Pit
Jenica Currie is an expert content manager, producer, writer, and editor with over a decade of experience cultivating online communities. Before joining Dotdash Meredith, Jenica worked as a community manager for Just Answer, and as a community manager and managing editor at RealTravel, a former trip planning site.
We independently research, test, review, and recommend the bestproductslearn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
The Spruce / Laurey W. Glenn
A fire pit is an amazing focal point for your backyard, defining outdoor space with function and style. We researched the best fire pits, evaluating each model on its size, materials, versatility, and design aesthetic. We also considered ease of assembly and burn type.
Our top pick is the Hampton Bay Piedmont Steel Fire Pit, which offers superior durability and features a 2-in-1 design for heating and grilling.
Ahead, find the best fire pits to warm up your backyard.
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Different Reasons Why A Natural Stone Fire Pit Is The Best Choice
From a wide list, different benefits and drawbacks of natural stone fire pit are as follows-
Pros of natural stone fire pit
1. For the natural theme of your garden
It is advisable to construct your patio with natural stone pavers. To maintain the outlook of your backyard, you must prefer a natural stone fire pit. Furthermore, other elements in your backyard patio must have driveways, paths and wall cladding of natural stones. In brief, the natural stone fire pit connects you with nature.
Note- Purchase fire pits from trusted suppliers that offer these pits with ready-to-use bricks or stone blocks. In this way, you can construct your fire pit yourself.
2. Perfect to spent time with your friends and family
It is a myth that the fire pit is only for the winter season. Numerous joint families make it a focal point to spend time with their loved ones. No issues, whether you are a kid or a senior citizen, everyone wants to relax. For this purpose, nothing is better than sitting around a burning fire.
3. You cant ignore your pets
Similar to humans, pets also love to sit around the fire. So, by making them sit with you around a fire pit, you can enjoy their company.
4. You can decorate your area
Keeping some plastic chairs around the fire pit is not the only option. To increase the beauty of your backyard, around a fire pit you can construct natural stone seat walls. Place cushions for comfort and invite your friends to create some unforgettable memories.