7 Best Outdoor Fire Pits
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A fire pit can make your outdoor area more enjoyable all year long. The warmth, light, and luxury of a fire pit is an easy way to enhance your patio or backyard, and they are available in many shapes, sizes, as well as fuel types like natural gas, propane, charcoal and even wood burning.
In this article we have done the work for you and have highlighted the different types of fire pits, based on durability, performance and the features of each.
Quick Look at Our Top Picks for Best Outdoor Fire Pits:
- Best Overall Outdoor Fire Pit – BALI OUTDOORS Gas Fire Pit
- Best Gas Outdoor Fire Pit –Outland Living Series Fire Table
- Best Portable Outdoor Fire Pit – Outland Firebowl Outdoor Portable Propane Gas Fire Pit
- Best Budget Outdoor Fire Pit – Landmann Barrone Fire Pit
- Best Wood Burning Outdoor Fire Pit – Peaktop Concrete Round Charcoal & Wood Burning Fire Pit
Why You Should Trust Us
For this review we spoke with experts in the home and garden industry. We also read through outdoor related forums, and fire pit reviews on Amazon, BBQ Guys and Home Depot to determine what consumers are looking for in a a patio heater. We then spent over 20 hours testing, researching and inspecting our picks for this article.
How We Researched Best Outdoor Fire Pits
- We spent several weeks researching the best fire pits
- We considered over 20 fire pits and narrowed it down to the 7 reviewed in this article
- We did this by reading hundreds of reviews, testing and comparing the features of each
Comparison Chart
| PICTURE | NAME | RATING | SHOPS |
|---|---|---|---|
 1 | BALI OUTDOORS Gas Fire Pit Show more | ||
 2 | Outland Living Series Fire Table Show more | ||
 3 | Outland Firebowl Outdoor Portable Propane Gas Fire Pit Show more | ||
 4 | Landmann Barrone Fire Pit Show more | ||
 5 | Peaktop Concrete Round Charcoal & Wood Burning Fire Pit Show more | ||
 6 | Sun Joe Cast Stone Base & Wood Burning Fire Pit Show more | ||
 7 | Giantex Gas Fire Pit Show more |
The Best Outdoor Fire Pits Reviewed
- Can be used as an outdoor table or firepit
- Enough space for 20 pound tank
- Comes with a 1 year warranty
- Is prone to rusting
- Some complaints about faulty ignition switches
- Assembly maybe a challenge
- Can be used as an outdoor table or firepit
- Enough space for 20 pound tank
- Comes with a 1 year warranty
- Is prone to rusting
- Some complaints about faulty ignition switches
- Assembly maybe a challenge
This Bali Outdoors fire pit table offers 50,000 BTU heat and a 28 L x 28 W inch square gas fire pit tabletop. It has a push button spark Piezo ignition system for easy control when lighting. It can be used as a table when not ignited or has am edge for items when in use. It has an embossed design and a cabinet for tank storage underneath.
It comes with blue fire glass or you can replace with other colored glass rock, separately. This fire pit comes with a one year warranty.
- Push button spark ignition system
- Comes with a 15.5 pound decorative glass rock set
- UV HDPE wicker outside is weather resistant
- Does not put off as much heat as expected
- Base does not hold heavy propane tank well
- Ignition switch is temperamental
- Push button spark ignition system
- Comes with a 15.5 pound decorative glass rock set
- UV HDPE wicker outside is weather resistant
- Does not put off as much heat as expected
- Base does not hold heavy propane tank well
- Ignition switch is temperamental
This propane firepit offers 50,000 BTU flames on the Arctic Ice fire glass and black tempered glass tabletop. The powder coated, aluminum frame and resin wicker are both weather and rust resistant. This fire pit doubles as a table with auto-ignition and conveniently conceals a standard 20-Lb propane tank within its base.
This fire table comes with a one year manufacturer's limited warranty. It is available in different colors and sizes.
- Durable steel construction with protective enamel finish
- Travel size fire pit is lightweight and portable
- Includes cover & carry kit
- Handle could be more sturdy
- Not big enough to provide a lot of warmth
- Does not have an ignitor
- Durable steel construction with protective enamel finish
- Travel size fire pit is lightweight and portable
- Includes cover & carry kit
- Handle could be more sturdy
- Not big enough to provide a lot of warmth
- Does not have an ignitor
The Outland Firebowl has a 19" diameter and offers 58,000 BTU. It is constructed from steel with a protective powder coating and enamel finish for long lasting durability. It includes a stainless steel burner with fasteners, and a chrome knob with a rubber comfort-grip. The Outland Firebowl uses a standard 20 pound (5 gallon) propane tank (not included) and burns clean and smokeless.
It includes a cover and carry kit, pre-attached 10-Ft hose, fully adjustable regulator with chrome valve knob for varying flame height, and 4.4-Lb natural lava rock set designed to enhance a flickering effect. This fire pit comes with a 1 year manufacturer’s limited warranty.
- Includes wood grate poker, spark screen & cover
- The fire bowl is 10 inches deep
- Decorative crosshatch design for air flow
- Metal is thinner than expected
- May rust over time
- Some edges maybe sharp
- Includes wood grate poker, spark screen & cover
- The fire bowl is 10 inches deep
- Decorative crosshatch design for air flow
- Metal is thinner than expected
- May rust over time
- Some edges maybe sharp
This fire pit is 10 inches deep and easily contains firewood with its 23 inch square size. The Crosshatch pattern is not just for show, it’s for air flow and allows the fire to last longer due to the circulation of air. It is built to holds up to heat and the elements with a sturdy steel construction that is finished with a hand rubbed antique bronze finish.
This fire pit comes a poker, a large screen with handle, built in wood grate, and a weather cover. The screen guard is used to keep uncontrollable flying embers and ash controlled.
- Available in 22 inch or 30 inch sizes
- Includes screen, poker, grate and grill
- Protective barrier screen included
- Not made of real concrete
- Much smaller and shallow than expected
- Screen may rust over time
- Available in 22 inch or 30 inch sizes
- Includes screen, poker, grate and grill
- Protective barrier screen included
- Not made of real concrete
- Much smaller and shallow than expected
- Screen may rust over time
This firepit has a compact, round design and is made to look like concrete. It can be used for burning wood or charcoal depending on your needs. You can also use it to grill burgers and other food.
It has a wire mesh cover to protect from the flame and also comes with a poker, grilling grate, and BBQ grill.
- Cast stone base in various styles
- Wire mesh screen cover is included
- Heat resistant large 29 inch fire bowl
- Complaints about packaging and missing parts
- Can be dangerous to use without screen cover
- Paint may peel away from heat
- Cast stone base in various styles
- Wire mesh screen cover is included
- Heat resistant large 29 inch fire bowl
- Complaints about packaging and missing parts
- Can be dangerous to use without screen cover
- Paint may peel away from heat
The Sun Joe Fire Joe cast stone fire pit features a large 29" fire bowl that is heat-resistant to 112°, and can accommodate hardwood logs up to 21. 5" long. The 24" screen hook does double duty as both a log tender and for removing the mesh screen, all while maintaining a safe distance from the flames.
The wood grid helps with circulation as well as improved airflow to feed the flames, while the screen guards against escaping sparks. It comes with a full two-year and is available in different wood styles.
- One-step ignition button with an adjustable knob
- Made with stainless steel inner pit to prevent rusting
- Available in two colors of simulate rock
- Much smaller than expected
- Lacks in providing warmth
- Ignition switch can be temperamental
- One-step ignition button with an adjustable knob
- Made with stainless steel inner pit to prevent rusting
- Available in two colors of simulate rock
- Much smaller than expected
- Lacks in providing warmth
- Ignition switch can be temperamental
This gas fire pit has an output of up to 40,000 BTU of heat and safe lava rocks around the burner. The clean burning propane flame will not produce any ash or smoke and the length of the gas pipe is nearly 10 feet, allowing a certain safe distance from the fire pit to the gas tank. This fire pit features a one-step ignition button and the easy-to-operate adjustable knob to control the flame.
This fire pit is made with simulated rock which is a flame retardant magnesium oxide as well as a 304 stainless steel for the fire pit inner part to prevent rusting. There are also two handles on both sides of this fire pit so that it can be easily carried. Includes a waterproof PVC cloth.
What to Consider When Buying an Outdoor Fire Pits
Fuel Type – Fire pits come in several fuel or power source options. Propane is the most popular but if dealing with a tank is not for you, then a charcoal or wood burning may be a better fit.
Size – When purchasing a fire pit, you need to understand the various models that range in size, design, and shape. The size of your fire pit will help determine the price as well. If you’re just adding some warmth to a small area, you won’t need the most powerful. If you plan to use it to cook and entertain you may want a larger are with more space.
Cut Outs – Wood-burning fire pits usually have cut-outs around the sides. These are sometimes geometric shapes but can be more decorative, with moons, stars and animal shapes. These cut out shapes are not just for decoration, they also improve airflow which keeps the fire burning.
Construction Materials – Fire pits can be made from a variety of materials, hardy enough to take the heat. Different metals are used in a range of fire pit styles. Metal fire pits made from steel are most common but other metals such as aluminum, cast iron and copper are available. Consider keeping metal fire pits covered when not in use to prevent rust.
Low smoke – Gas fire pits don’t produce smoke but you can find some low-smoke wood burning options, as well. TIf you like the idea of a wood-burning fire pit but don’t want excessive smoke, this maybe an option for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How close to my home should I put a fire pit?
Fire pits should be placed at a minimum of ten feet away from your house and your neighbors yards. You also want to avoid placing it near overhanging branches, fences or structures that could easily catch fire.
What is the best fuel for a fire pit?
Traditionally the most popular is firewood and the wood should be dry to prevent smoke. Propane burns cleaner than firewood, making it better for the environment and better for anyone that is sensitive to changes in air quality.
What goes in the bottom of a fire pit?
Some use lava rocks or lava glass beads as a filler in a fire pit. They are a safe way to create drainage and make your fire pit look nice. The best thing you can use is fire glass. They come in various colors and patterns but are typically more pricey than the lava rocks.
Can I have a fire pit in my backyard?
If your home is in a remote or a rural area, then most likely you can have a firepit in your backyard but be sure to check local fire bans. In urban areas, the rules vary and some cities don't allow it. This is something you will want to check on before considering a fire pit.