
Like all the fire pits we tested, the Bonfire is easy to load with wood and to light-though due to the smaller pit diameter, you have to stack standard-size logs carefully to make them fit. It’s also small enough that we had no trouble hiding it behind patio furniture or in the garage when it wasn’t in use. Why it’s great: The Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 is simple and so light-it’s half the weight of our other picks. We have picks that are lightweight and easy to move around, aesthetically unobtrusive for a patio, great for cooking over, sturdily built at a bargain price, and the type you might expect to own for a lifetime.
As a result, finding the right fire pit for you is a matter of personal choice, depending on your needs. What distinguishes fire pits from one another is largely their looks, how easy they are to clean, and, to some extent, the available accessories. That extra oxygen creates a secondary combustion of the fire’s off gassing, molecules which usually create smoke if they aren’t burned. In the end we chose two as our top picks: the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 for most people and small backyards, and the Tiki Fire Pit for people with larger yards or those who enjoy the more patio-inspired looks of the Tiki model.Īlthough we did choose two favorites, note that in our testing nearly all the smokeless-pit designs worked more or less the same: They each have two walls (kind of like an insulated thermos bottle), and they leverage the difference in air temperature between those walls to create extra airflow through holes in the walls of the firepit. We spent three months testing six fire pits in Hawaii and California.
OUTDOOR FIRE PIT WINDOWS
But if you find that the accompanying smoke dampens the pleasure, or if your neighbors live close by and prefer to keep their bedroom windows open to catch the cool air, you might consider using a so-called smokeless fire pit, which eliminates some (but not all) of your fire’s smoke and most of the ash. If you put a fire pit on a wood deck, flammability becomes an issue.Few things are as pleasurable as a toasty fire in the backyard on a chilly evening.
OUTDOOR FIRE PIT INSTALL
Granite, marble, and slate are good stones for building your firepit since they are dense and least likely to absorb water.Ĭonsult a professional if you plan to install a fire pit on an existing patio or deck. Some rocks that have trapped moisture will explode when the high heat of the fire reaches them. If it has rained recently, cure your fire or stand back for about 15 minutes before sitting near the pit. Lava rocks or gravel are an excellent second choice for the next layer however, be careful since they are porous and absorb water. Sand is best for its ability to absorb heat.

Building a fire pit shouldn't take much time or cost for ambitious do-it-yourselfers who can follow instructions.Ī DIY fire pit usually has a layer of sand or dirt at the bottom of the stone fire pit. Most firepits are about 12 to 14 inches tall.
OUTDOOR FIRE PIT PORTABLE
While portable fire pits are a good choice for some situations, stone fire pits are more permanent and likely to complement a home, landscape, and surrounding terrain.Ī fire pit is a good beginner's project for an outdoor building enthusiast. Like moths to a flame, you and your guests will be drawn to a fire feature in the evening to relax, enjoy food and drinks, get warm, and enjoy one another's company. The Spruce Home Improvement Review BoardĪdding a natural stone fire pit to your outdoor space makes it a destination.
