Credit:
Reviewed / Lindsay D. Mattison
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Credit:
Reviewed / Lindsay D. Mattison
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If you’re looking for a sturdy wood-burning fire pit to keep in the backyard, the Tiki is the way to go. It produces gorgeous flame patterns and is mostly smokeless. Read More
If you’re looking for a lightweight propane fire pit that’s easy to use and produces sufficient heat, this one is the way to go. Read More
This 28-inch propane fire pit table is a stylish, practical, and offers good value. Read More
This sleek update to the Solo Stove line eliminates smoke like previous models, but now comes with a removable ash pan that makes it easier to clean. Read More
This fire pit includes a battery-powered fan, helping to start the fire quickly and easily. It’s small and ultra-portable, but you won’t be able to use regular-sized logs in this fire pit. Read More
An outdoor fire pit can breathe new life into backyard living, giving friends and family an excuse to gather around and cook s'mores. But a fire isn’t always as easy to manage as you’d think. Wood-burning fires can be hard to start, and open fires lead to smoke-tinged clothes long after the fire goes out.
Thankfully, there’s a class of fire pits that promises the benefits of a fire without the drawbacks. The only question is which type of fire pit is best for you: a wood or propane gas fire pit? After extensive testing the best fire pits, we recommend the wood-burning Tiki Patio Fire Pit (available at Amazon for $295.00) as the best overall firepit. Wood-burning fire pits burn hotter than propane, and this one is large enough to seat a crowd around, making it a perfect fit in your backyard.
If you're looking for a wood-burning fire pit to use at home or for car camping, this model from Tiki is the one to get.
The Ukiah propane fire pit is compact, easy to use, and boasts a handsome design.
This model from Best Choice is the best fire pit table you can buy.
Experience smokeless fire.
Wherever you go, this fan powered fire pit is ready to follow.
The Bali Outdoors Chiminea is the best chiminea fire pit we tested
Large, spacious pit
Easy to assemble
Includes spark screen and cover
Tricky to clean
Lightweight
Very portable
Easy to set up
Produces a lot of smoke
Takes longer to start a fire
Produces sufficient heat
Tall flames
Large enough to seat several people
Doesn't include an electric ignition
Beautiful aesthetic
Locking lid for ease of transportation
Electric ignition
Small lava rocks
Doesn't include enough lava rocks
Lightweight
Produces sufficient heat
Minimalistic design
Doesn’t come with enough lava rocks
There are an overwhelming number of options when it comes to fire pits, but we stuck to the models that are portable and don’t have to be built into your backyard setup. After selecting several popular wood-burning and propane models available from online or brick-and-mortar retailers like Home Depot and Lowes, we set about building and testing each model.
For the wood-burning fire pits, the first step was to build a fire. It’s important to start with plenty of small kindling, which helps the fire to keep going while the bigger logs begin to ignite. We nestled the kindling around a starter cube (our fire starter of choice for wood fires and charcoal grills because they burn longer than other tinder-like newspaper or bark).
From there, we waited for the kindling to turn into an ember bed, adding small pieces until the fire was established enough to handle larger pieces of firewood. For most of the fire pits we tested, this took about 15 minutes, although some were ready to go in 10 minutes.
Then, we added as many large, 16-inch pieces of dry firewood as it could hold and then, timed how long it took for the fire to burn out. After the fire was extinguished, we measured how long it took for the fire pit to cool down and how easy it was to clean out the ashes.
For propane-burning fire pits, we hooked up the propane and tested the line, making sure there were no gas leaks. Then we ignited the fire pit (noting whether it had a built-in ignition or required a stick lighter) and turned it on high for 10 minutes. We weighed the propane tank before and after the test to see how much propane it consumed.
Additionally, regardless of the fuel type, we scored each fire pit on its aesthetics and ease of use. We assessed how easy it was to move and store the fire pit, and added those scores to an overall safety rating and a price-to-value determination before ranking and rating each fire pit.
There are several classes of fire pits, each with a different set of features and price points.
Fire Tables: These fire pits serve a dual purpose—in addition to keeping people warm, they have tabletop space. Some come with lids that convert the units into full tables when the fire pit is not in use. They can come in many shapes and sizes, and prices can reach thousands of dollars. Often, they are fueled by propane, natural gas, or electricity. Instead of lava rocks, some will use fire glass, which can add style to any backyard party.
Fire Bowls: Like fire tables, fire bowls come in various shapes and sizes. However, they are often more portable than tables. Some are made of concrete and stone, but many are made of metal. In addition to propane and natural gas, these types may use wood as the fire fuel.
Tabletop Fire Tables or Bowls: Smaller than other types of fire pits, these models can add flair to your patio tabletop. They may not give off enough heat to keep a crowd warm, but they are very portable.
Fire Columns: As the name suggests, fire columns are taller than traditional fire pits. With a smaller footprint, they can be a good alternative for people with smaller patios or decks.
Chimineas: These fire features have come a long way since terracotta and can now be found in metal. Essentially, they are frontloading outdoor chimneys. Because they have chimneys, smoke is directed away from people sitting around them. However, they are not like some other fire features.
There is a fire pit for any budget. Prices can range from $40 to thousands of dollars. Many budget fire pits are portable, while the more expensive models are permanent fixtures to your backyard setup.
Fires are hot. The same is true about fire pits. Parents should take care that children don't get too close. Also, fire pits should be monitored while they are in use. Before setting up a fire pit, check your local safety regulations. Some communities have requirements on how far pits should be away from structures to maintain a safe distance. Others may have restrictions on the type of fuel that can be used.
Your first choice in buying a new fire pit, is whether you want a propane model or a wood-burning pit like the Solo Stove.
Trying to decide between a wood-burning or a propane gas fire pit? There are a few considerations to keep in mind before you make your purchase. For starters, many areas have fire restrictions that prohibit wood-burning fires, so you may want to pick up a propane fire pit if you’re using it for camping in these areas.
A propane model is easy to ignite and easier to extinguish; simply turn the knob on and off to control the flames. They tend to cool down more quickly and are smokeless, but they also don’t get as hot, so they won’t put off as much heat. They rely on lava rocks to cover the heating element, which also affects the flame pattern and helps with heat radiation.
Of course, you’ll also need to have a propane tank to use one. Most of the propane fire pits we tested used about three pounds of propane an hour, so we estimate a propane fire pit will burn from three to six hours per tank, depending on the BTUs and the heat settings.
Wood-burning pits take a little longer to get started, but they produce more heat and better-quality flames. They also tend to be larger than propane fire pits, allowing you to seat more people around the fire. Of course, that extra warmth means you’ll want to have a pair of heat-resistant gloves around to protect your hands.
On the flip side, wood-burning fire pits require a steady supply of dry firewood. Wet wood doesn’t burn well, and it produces significantly more smoke. Seasoned wood bundles are available at most camping or hardware stores, but it burns quickly, making it more expensive than filling up a propane tank.
You’ll want to make sure you have a small hatchet for creating kindling, too. Dry wood can also produce smoke, so you’ll want to look for a smokeless fire pit that is created with an airflow design that minimizes smoke.
Lindsay is a professional chef, recipe developer, writer, and developmental editor. After years of working in restaurant kitchens, she turned to writing to share her passion for local, organic, and seasonal ingredients with home cooks and food enthusiasts.
Camryn Rabideau is a full-time freelance writer and product tester with eight years of experience. She's been lucky enough to test hundreds of products firsthand, and her specialties include bedding and pet products, which often require help from her two dogs, three cats, and flock of rambunctious chickens.
Gabriel Morgan
Staff Writer, Home
Gabriel Morgan is a staff writer on Reviewed's home team, where he covers consumer education topics such as earthquake preparedness, radon in the home, and concerns about health and wellness in product design. He also writes product reviews and how-to articles on appliances, smart home technology, and goods for the home.
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