Our top pick, the TIKI 25-Inch Stainless Steel Low Smoke Fire Pit checks all those boxes, is great for your budget, is large enough to heat a gathered group, and comes with everything you need to get started. Here are the best smokeless fire pits to turn your regular backyard into an outdoor party. The 18-inch-deep smokeless fire pit, which provides up to 4 feet of radiant heat, is better suited for socializing rather than cooking since it doesn’t come with a grill or cooking surface. But it has an attractive finish with metal details. The included cloth cover is a nice touch: Put it on after the fire pit has cooled to ensure it stays nice and clean. The ash pans collect waste and empty easily by just sliding them out. This isn’t the cheapest option out there, but it provides a great value, considering how much heat it gives and how easy it is to assemble and use. With the right maintenance, the TIKI fire pit can last for years. The handles on each side make this smokeless fire pit easy to carry and take with you, but you still need space for it since it doesn’t come apart. The two-tier design helps maximize the oxygen supply to the fire inside without creating a lot of smoke. Its double wall also ensures that sparks and ash don’t jump out. You can use traditional firewood or wood pellets. You also need to separately purchase extra accessories such as grills and cooking surfaces. With this smokeless fire pit, you get multiple options and accessories. A lower-price bundle can customize your purchase with lids, covers, grills, and even parts to incorporate the fire pit into a brick surround. While it is expensive, the fire pit comes with a lifetime warranty, as well as high-quality construction and materials. Everything you need folds up and fits in the included carrying case. This includes a heat shield, which installs underneath the fire to protect the surface below (an important aspect of Leave No Trace outdoor fun). This fire pit isn’t as deep as others, so make sure you start your fire in a safe location and always have water nearby. It also creates more smoke, ash, and soot than some deeper fire pits on our list. The BioLite is also on the smaller side and best for camping rather than as a permanent fire pit at your home. But it comes with a grill grate for campfire cooking. You can use wood logs or charcoal as fuel. The legs fold for even better portability. A carrying case is available (purchased separately). For an already expensive fire pit, spending even more on the carrying case and any other accessories can make this item quite a splurge. It can be tricky to stoke the fire and get larger flames, something many people want when cooking on an open fire; however, the design keeps the smoke under control. Air vents at the bottom bring in oxygen for a fire and lead to better use of the wood. Included is a charcoal grate you can place at the bottom of the fire pit to use that oxygen while maintaining airflow from underneath. This fire pit is technically portable and comes with a carrying case. But without carrying handles, it is tough to move around easily. Solo makes a fantastic line of smokeless fire pits. There are some larger than this compact model, but we like this one for its portability and performance. If you are looking for something to be a permanent fixture in your space, you may want to go with a larger, although more expensive, model. This one is already quite pricey. You need to purchase and supply propane to 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.
Material
Fire pits often are made of stainless steel and may be painted or finished with fire-safe surfaces. Make sure this is the case since any non-fire-safe materials may melt or burn away. Smokeless fire pits tend to burn hotter than other fire pits, making this happen even faster.
Size
For a portable fire pit, look for a small size, such as a 15-inch diameter. Folding fire pits also are easier to move from place to place and work better for camping trips or cookouts at parks. Larger fire pits are great to install in your backyard if you plan them as permanent fixtures. These can be available in a variety of sizes and setups, all the way up to 33-inch diameters.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was researched and written by Katie Begley, a freelance writer specializing in home and family products. Katie has been writing for The Spruce since 2019. To compile this list, she surveyed numerous products, including one tested by The Spruce.
