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Best Fire Pit for 2024 [CNET]
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Whether you love to entertain or spend time in your outdoor space solo, an outdoor fire pit is a great way to make the most of your backyard gatherings. As the nights start to get colder, we found the best fire pit for frequent campers, homeowners and more.
What is the best fire pit overall?
But fire pits are more than just campfires to gawk at – many of these models come with cooking grates, meaning you can grab your cast-iron cookware and make your dinner in your backyard fire pit instead of in the kitchen. Some throw in fire pokers for the price. And our testers at CNET have had a great time with the best fire pits out there, so we can pass the best recommendations on to you.
You can find compact $50 models for warming a couple of pairs of hands, or fiery, high-performance pits worth hundreds of dollars. Fire pits can run on a variety of different fuel types too, whether you’re after a fire pit that runs on wood pellets, propane or a smoke-free gel that can even be burned indoors without any noxious fumes.
After testing fire pits from the most reputable brands out there, we can tell you that the sleek, efficient Pit Boss Pellet Fire Pit is the best overall fire pit of 2024. Its pellet fuel burns more evenly than wood, and has the advantage of being smokeless, making it more palatable for partygoers who don’t have to worry about standing downwind of the flames. But every model in this list is worth your consideration, each catering to a different budget and coming with its own benefits, whether you need a fire pit you can bring indoors, or something portable for when you’re far from home.
Best fire pits of 2024
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The X Series also has an advanced airflow system designed to facilitate secondary fuel burn, similar to the smokeless fire pits from Solo Stove. While not as easy to ignite as the Solo Stove pits, the X Series definitely stays lit once you get the fire going, and when it’s done properly, the process takes 5 minutes and only requires smaller logs and kindling at first. It puts out plenty of heat as it burns away at full temperature, but the pit’s secondary burn releases hardly any smoke. One last note: Be sure to think strategically about where you want to deploy this pit. Weighing in at 78 pounds, the X Series 24 is 33 pounds heavier than the second-heftiest pit in this group, the Tiki Fire Pit. I recommend asking a friend or two to help move it where it needs to go in your yard or patio.
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To say the Breeo X Series 24 is built to take a beating is an understatement. Manufactured in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the X Series is constructed from a mix of corten (weathering) steel and 304 stainless steel. As a result, the X Series doesn’t require a rain cover or weather shelter. After six months of exposure to the elements, the outer wall of the fire pit develops a natural patina that protects it from corrosion.
The X Series also has an advanced airflow system designed to facilitate secondary fuel burn, similar to the smokeless fire pits from Solo Stove. While not as easy to ignite as the Solo Stove pits, the X Series definitely stays lit once you get the fire going, and when it’s done properly, the process takes 5 minutes and only requires smaller logs and kindling at first. It puts out plenty of heat as it burns away at full temperature, but the pit’s secondary burn releases hardly any smoke. One last note: Be sure to think strategically about where you want to deploy this pit. Weighing in at 78 pounds, the X Series 24 is 33 pounds heavier than the second-heftiest pit in this group, the Tiki Fire Pit. I recommend asking a friend or two to help move it where it needs to go in your yard or patio.
As its name implies, the Mesa is designed to sit on a tabletop and is small enough to slip into a backpack for mobility. Naturally, you could also set it on the ground, but when you put it on a table, it’s at a good height for comfortably roasting marshmallows. It has the same 360-degree Signature Airflow system as Solo Stove’s larger fire pits and is the spiritual successor to the Solo Stove Lite, a mini camp stove (whether we’ll see some camping accessories for the Mesa is unclear at this point). It’s an excellent mini fire pit.
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Best Mini|This extra small fire pit is built to sit on a tabletop and fits in a backpack for mobile use.
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Solo Stove, which makes some of the best smokeless fire pits, released its second-generation Ranger 2.0 (small), Bonfire 2.0 (medium) and Yukon 2.0 (large) fire pits in August 2022. Now it’s gone extra small for its new Mesa fire pit.
As its name implies, the Mesa is designed to sit on a tabletop and is small enough to slip into a backpack for mobility. Naturally, you could also set it on the ground, but when you put it on a table, it’s at a good height for comfortably roasting marshmallows. It has the same 360-degree Signature Airflow system as Solo Stove’s larger fire pits and is the spiritual successor to the Solo Stove Lite, a mini camp stove (whether we’ll see some camping accessories for the Mesa is unclear at this point). It’s an excellent mini fire pit.
Before buying a fire pit and making a new addition to your backyard, you should consider material, style, fuel type, location, cost and safety. To help guide your buying decision process, take a look at the following considerations so you know you’re buying a fire pit that suits all your needs and your budget.
Safety regulations and codes
First things first: Are you even allowed to have a fire pit? If you own a home, check with your homeowner’s association or city codes to make sure you’re allowed to have a fire pit, and if so, read about where it should be located and other restrictions for burning wood in your area.
If you live in a rental or apartment complex, check with your building administrators or landlords for any restrictions or regulations regarding outdoor fire pits.
There are often specific rules about placement for safety, such as setting a fire pit at least 10 feet away from buildings and fences or having a water source nearby. Some counties and states may even require an inspection by local fire officials or may regulate fuel type.
Size
Fire pits range from small portable models to larger permanent styles. Choose a size that fits within your backyard or patio space, keeping in mind how much space you’ll need for circulation and seating around the fire pit. Models can range from 24 inches to more than 58 inches in diameter, and for movement and safety, you’ll want to keep your pit five to seven feet away from your home and other objects.
Budget
Fire pits can range greatly in price. You can find inexpensive, $50 models and high-performance pits that’ll set you back hundreds of dollars. You can even spend $1,500 or more on a fancy propane fire pit. For custom and built-in models, you’ll likely need to budget $1,000 to $5,000 or even more.
Wood-burning fire pits
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.
Gas fire pits
Gas fire pits are easier to test as they don’t require any lighting time. The first checks we do involve safety: Are all of the gas fittings secure and in good working order? Is the hose the recommended length to ensure the propane tank doesn’t get hot? These checks are the most important to keep everyone safe.
Next, we marked lines at 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7 feet. We then sat three people around the firepit at those distances to gauge how comfortable the heat was from the firepit. BTU is the standard unit of measure for heat, but knowing that doesn’t tell you how warm it makes you while you’re sitting at it.
Pellet fire pits
Like the wood-burning fire pit, we used the same fuel for each of the pits we tested. I used a two-gallon bucket filled with Traeger signature blend wood pellets as the fuel and two shot glasses of Kingsford lighter fluid as the accelerant. We then timed how long the fire took to reach full flame and how long it took from ignition to the flame going out.
Pellet fire pits will ignite much quicker than a standard log flame and will continue to burn evenly until they go out. Neither pellet nor wood was more expensive to test as the wood burns longer, but the pellet is cheaper to buy in bulk.
The Pop-Up Fire Pit is very portable but makes a lot of smoke.
Brian Bennett/CNETPop-Up Fire Pit: The most portable fire pit idea in this roundup is the Pop-Up Pit. Its collapsible design lets you assemble it and break it down quickly. It also uses a heat shield so it won’t scorch the ground below. The pit offers a large (2-foot-square) burning surface for your fire, too. Since its frame is constructed from stainless steel, the Pop-Up Pit is rust-resistant. Because the pit is so large and has low walls, it creates a lot of smoke.
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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 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 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 become a crowd.
The Kingso 22-inch fire pit is small and has poor airflow.
Brian Bennett/CNETKingso Outdoor Fire Pit (22-inch): Although it’s a bestseller on Amazon, we don’t recommend purchasing the Kingso Outdoor Fire Pit. Its small size (22 inches in diameter) 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.
The Hampton Bay Windgate 40-inch Dia Fire Pit is massive and built from heavy steel. Unfortunately, it suffers from poor airflow so its flames often die out.
Brian Bennett/CNETHampton Bay Windgate 40-inch diameter round steel wood-burning fire pit: The Hampton Bay Windgate is by far the largest fire pit in this group. It has a massive 40-inch-diameter fire bowl, roomy enough for big groups to gather around. As the pit weighs in at a substantial 60 pounds and is constructed from heavy-duty steel, it takes a lot of effort to set up the pit where you want it. Unfortunately, the Windgate steel fire pit suffers from poor ventilation. As a result, fires we started in the pit consistently died out in 15 to 20 minutes. That makes it difficult to recommend this wood-burning pit model.
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A good fire pit will ignite in minutes and stay lit for hours.
Brian Bennett/CNETWhat is the best type of fire pit to buy?
The type of fire pit you should purchase depends on two main considerations. First is how much money you plan to spend. For instance, inexpensive pits are almost always basic cast-iron models that lack fancy smokeless airflow systems. The second factor to think about is how you’d like to use your pit. Simple pits provide the heat, sights and sounds of a crackling fire. They’re also fine for making s’mores and the odd hot dog. For more advanced cooking capabilities you’ll have to spend more for a pit also designed to operate as a true outdoor grill.
Which fire pits give off the most heat?
While all fire pits generate heat, some tend to create more than others. Ordinary pits, which are also the cheapest, can put out a good amount of heat. Unfortunately, they typically create a lot of smoke as well. Smokeless fire pits do reach higher temperatures since they’re designed to foster a high degree of airflow as they burn. In my experience, Solo Stove fire pits channel much of their heat upward. Breeo pits, on the other hand, tend to push more heat outward so you often feel their warmth more.
Which smokeless fire pit is the best?
From a pure smokeless performance standpoint, Solo Stove fire pits are the best. They’re the easiest to start and keep lit. They also produce the least amount of smoke and generate the most intense, eye-catching flames. Since Solo Stove pits push much of their heat upward, they’re not ideal for keeping seated groups comfortable on cold winter nights. They’re not designed for cooking elaborate outdoor meals either.
Can you put a fire pit on grass?
Yes, you can put a fire pit on grass but you need to take a few precautions. For one, you’ll want to make sure the grassy area you choose is level, so the pit doesn’t tip over. You’ll also want to avoid damaging your grass: The high temperatures coming from a fire pit cause heat stress to your grass, which can discolor or kill it. The best way to protect your grass from damage is to put a barrier between the fire pit and the grass. You can simply put some patio slabs underneath the fire pit, or buy a heat shield or a fire-resistant mat. Whatever solution you go with, you should make sure to move the fire pit around frequently, so as not to damage grass in one location.
What types of ignitions are there for fire pits?
Fire pit ignition systems range from simple ones using a match to complex ones using electronics and an app. At one end of the spectrum are match-lit fire pits, with which you start the gas and light a match to get it started, and that’s it. The next step up is a spark ignition system, which features a battery-operated sparker, so you just push a button to get the flame going. Moving up another notch is a flame-sensing fire pit, which has a spark ignition but also a flame sensor that can stop gas flow once flames die down for extra safety. At the far end of the spectrum are electronic ignition kits, which also are flame-sensing and have an automated ignition process that can be controlled with a timer, a switch, a remote or a phone app. These are the most expensive and often require you to have electricity at your fire pit.
Can I cook on my gas fire pit?
Cooking on a gas fire pit that isn’t specifically built for cooking is not recommended, the only exception being toasting marshmallows, since they only touch the flame and not the pit itself. Some fire pits have optional accessories that you can add for safe cooking and others are designed with cooking in mind.
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