The 5 Best Smokeless Fire Pits of 2023 Reviews by Wirecutter

You may find one option to be more desirable at times, depending on the season and type of gathering. Firebowls have an open face that creates a romantic, tranquil setting. Most firebowls offer a push-button igniter, and their flame levels can be controlled by a lever. Tabletop firebowls are smaller and can be placed on top of tables, cement pillars, and a variety of outdoor items. They are smokeless and some come with lava rocks to add visual appeal.

Its 19-inch-diameter grill grate fits right over the top of the fire pit. The grate is designed to work with this structure, unlike some options that have universal rather than custom accessories. This sleek smokeless fire pit provides everything you need to enjoy a night of smoke-free enjoyment next to a warm fire. Once you’ve used up the included pack of TIKI wood pellets, you can purchase more separately.

Whatever fuel you use, you’ll burn through it more quickly in a smokeless fire pit due to the constant stream of air feeding the fire. The upside of this is that, when the wood burns this hot and completely, you have less ash to clean up. The main attraction of a fire pit is, well, fire—but some smokeless models do include a few accessories. There may be grates that allow the fire pit to be used for grilling food. Heat deflectors increase the warmth that those seated around the fire will experience. Portable versions usually include a storage bag with handles or a shoulder strap to make them easier to carry.

Ahead, learn about these and other attributes of smokeless fire pits. Its stainless steel construction resists rust and corrosion, while a double-wall design reduces smoke output. The stove can reach temperatures hot enough to boil 34 ounces of water in just 5 minutes, while the three-pronged stovetop can accommodate a small frying pan or pot. More than 6 pounds of lava rock cover the fire pit’s burner, while a 10-foot hose provides enough length to conceal the 20-pound propane gas tank required to fuel it. A large knob on the front of the fire pit controls the flame size, and four sturdy feet keep the firebox elevated safely off the ground.

It doesn’t have the stainless steel construction of other more expensive models, and is made more affordable with its black alloy steel construction. You need topurchase and supply propaneto use this smokeless fire pit, something that adds to the overall cost. Also, the gas removes the traditional ambiance of a wood-burning fire. The steel table and slate top have an antique brass finish that works with a variety of styles and should hold up to the weather. It includes fire-safe lava rocks, although some people preferred to replace those after a time.

Many smokeless fire pits include manufacturer-supplied fuel pellets, but you also can supply your own wood. As with any smokeless fire pit, there was some initial smoke when we first lit the wood in the Peak. It took a little longer than others we tested for the fire to get hot enough for the smoke to abate—a good fifteen minutes. The best of those tested typically took between five and ten minutes. Once we had the fire really going, there was nothing but an occasional wisp of smoke.

With its easy-to-clean 19-inch stainless steel grill grate, this bonfire pit from Cast Master functions as both a fire pit and a wood-fired grill. The great-looking Solo Stove Yukon performed much like its Best Overall little brother, the Bonfire, in our tests. However, this larger model doesn’t just “hold” more wood; because of the dual-wall functionality, it requires more firewood to deliver an experience comparable to the Bonfire. In our test burn, we used almost twice as much wood to fill the Yukon to achieve the secondary burn—but the burn-down was only marginally longer at 2 hours and 15 minutes. The included stand and cover make the Yukon a great choice for patios and decks, and the spark shield is great for larger gatherings.

Avoiding the industrial look of most smokeless fire pits, the Tiki has a gentler backyard aesthetic. Though the ashtray is somewhat flimsy, it is simple to remove and clean. However, some fire pits do sell accessories that you can add for safe cooking, and others are designed with cooking in mind.

When it came to portability, the top performers were smaller, lighter, included carrying cases, and burned a wider range of materials. One even included a protective heat shield that allowed it to be used on different surfaces. wooden circular picnic table The bottom ash tray makes cleanup easy once the unit is cool since all you have to do is dump out the debris. The unit is painted with a rust- and heat-resistant finish, so it’ll last through multiple bonfire seasons.