The Best Fire Pit – A Guide to Choosing the Right Fire Pit

If you’re looking for a simple-to-use fire pit for those cool falls night or an evening get together, a gas fire pit is probably the right choice for you. We spent over 100 hours testing various options and configurations, many of which were great and came to the conclusion that the Outland Firebowl Premium Portable Fire Pit is the best fire pit for most people. Its easy to use controls, compact size, and included extras make it an excellent value for its price.

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Top Pick – Best Propane Fire Pit

The Outland Firebowl is a capable propane fire pit that would be equally at home on a patio as it would be in a campground—and it’s much easier to use and transport than its competitors.

With a very affordable price, our top pick, the Outland Firebowl Premium Portable Fire Pit, is absolutely pack full of features: automatic ignition, flame adjustment controls,  durable steel construction, 10′ gas line with built in regulator, and an included lid and carrying strap that make it wonderfully easy to move around. Plus, with its massive 58,000 BTU burner you can stay warm down to around 45°F, blowing away some of the less powerful competition. The only downside to the Outland Firebowl – something only the largest of non-portable gas fire pits resolve- is the visible propane tank, but honestly when the flames are high and your hot dogs are cooking you’ll never think twice about it. Read the full Review

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Runner up – Best Wood Burning Fire Pit

The Sunnydaze Cast Iron Wood-Burning Fire Pit Bowl is a perfect choice for those looking for more natural fire pit with a minimalist design that requires very little upkeep.

Our runner-up is the Sunnydaze Cast Iron Wood-Burning Fire Pit Bowl which currently retails for about the same as the Outland Firebowl, depending on the size your choose. This choice is as about as different as you can get from out top pick: Cast Iron Material, Minimalist no-frills feature set, and a classic wood burning design. If you plan to have a large blaze under the open stars, or a small crackling fire in your own backyard, you’ll appreciate this simple back-to-basics fire pit that just works with its visually appealing look and outdoor feel you’ll be as close to nature as you can get. The included drain holes ensure you won’t walk up to a rusty birdbath and the heavy duty material means it will stand up to even the most brutal of outdoor conditions. On the downside, the Sunndaze is much heavier than most gas fire pits – a byproduct of the solid cast iron construction. Also, as a wood burning fire pit,  you’ll unfortunately have to deal with smoke blowing around and soot build up if your not careful with your fire pit placement. Read the full Review

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High End Pick – Best Fire Pit Table

When it comes down to high class options, the Outland Fire Table has the competition beat. With a beautiful glass tabletop and modern look it is an excellent way to upscale any backyard patio.

If you’re looking for a fire pit that has a bit more style and class at the expense of portability, a propane fire pit table is what you’ll be looking for. While more expensive than the smaller gas and wood fire pits, they offer generous under table storage space, large eating surfaces and give any deck or patio that refined luxurious look. Our top pick for the best fire pit table is the Outland Fire Table.With a stunning tempered glass table top, easy flame adjustments, and under table storage it would be hard to find a better choice. Even though this is a larger unit, assembly is very quick with the included hardware, and with a 44″ x 32″ tabletop you’ll be able to entertain up to 8 adults in comfort and still have room for plates, glasses and silverware. If your looking to add a stunning fire pit centerpiece to your patio or deck, the Outland Fire Table is  perfect choice. Read the full Review

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Who this article is for

If your here, there is a pretty good chance your in the market for a new fire pit. Whether this will be your first fire pit purchase, or you’re a seasoned fire pit connoisseur, you’ll want to know all there is to prior to pulling the trigger so you can be certain your getting the best fire pit based on your needs. As it stands there are hundreds of factors to consider, from fire bowl material selection, BTU rating, bowl diameter and more. This article will give you an in-depth guide to help you choose the right fire pit for your needs. We’ll show you what features to look out for, whether or not a propane or a wood burning fire pit it the correct choice and how to ensure you’ll get the most bang for you buck with whatever fire pit you end up deciding on.

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Gas Fire Pits vs. Wood Burning Fire Pits

When it comes to fire pits, one of the first decisions you’ll have to make is if you want a propane fire pit or a more traditional wood burning model. If someone asked us right now which is better, we would recommend a propane fire pit knowing nothing else. However as with most decisions, there is a lot more to it than that.

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Smoke and Soot

Let’s first take a look at the main advantages gas fire pits. One of the key reason to go with propane over wood is the lack of smoke, soot buildup and need for firewood. Propane burns very cleanly and leaves absolutely no residue or smell on houses, RVs or clothing. In addition, because propane produces no smoke you won’t have to worry about playing musical chairs around your fire pit as the wind direction changes. If you’ve ever been around a real campfire you know just how bad the smoke can be after a quick wind direction change. In a heartbeat you can be left with lungs full of smoke and eyes that sting like fire.

Now that’s not to say that all wood burning fire pit will have smoke. If you use nice dry season wood and have a hot enough fire you should  have a smoke free blaze, but let us assure you, making a smoke free fire is an acquired skill which takes a while to master. On the flip side though, that feeling of staring into glowing coals and hearing the age old crackling of the logs simply can’t be beat. Smoke or no smoke, if your a true outdoor enthusiast you’ll want to go with a wood burning fire pit like the Sunnydaze.

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Automatic Ignition & Flame Adjustment

When it comes to how easy it is to start your fire for the night, propane fire pits win hands down. Almost all models including our best pick, have electronic ignitions and flame control adjustments. With a wood burning option you’ll simply have to use your bush crafting skills and a lot of lighter fluid. That’s not to say starting a wood fire is no fun though. It can be a blast to gather up your kindling, and build the perfect tepee to start the night off right. But if your looking for a quick flame to relax after a long day, you’ll want the simplicity of modern day piezo-electric ignition.

One of the few downside to electric lighters is the are very prone to failure over time. The elements usually win the war when it comes to small electronic devices and after a few years you may have issues starting a propane fire pit using the built in lighter. If that’s the case you can either send it in for (costly) repairs, replace it yourself or just use a long match or lighter to get your flames going. If you opt for a wood burning fire pit, a hurricane could blow though and your fire pit would be no worse off. If you keep your fire under a vinyl cover though it shouldn’t be much of an issue unless you live in a very humid or ocean side location.

As a side note, wood burning fire pits should not be used on wooden decks without proper precautions. These can include laying fire bricks underneath and having water ready in case an errant ember escapes. The a natural fire can really heat up the bottom of the fire bowl and cause wood underneath to burst into flames, not something we would want to happen. Propane fire pits on the other hand can be use anywhere there is proper ventilation, even under cover so long as the ceiling height is at least eight feet tall.

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Cost

The cost between a propane and a wood burning fire pit can be a major deciding factor as well. Typically wood burning fire pits will be far less expensive than their propane counterparts. This is mainly due to their lack of electronic ignition, low number of complex components and zero pressure containing gas hoses and regulators. However when comparing entry level propane fire pits to top of the line wood burning options that price can swing the other direction. Almost all of the cost of a wood burning fire pit will be in the fire bowl itself. If you opt for a thin steel sheet metal bowl as opposed to a solid cast iron one, you’ll be paying a faction of the price. Likewise if your looking at a large propane fire pit table that seats eight adults you can expect to be paying quite a bit more than even the most expensive luxury wood burner.

If you see a fire pit, whether propane or wood burning for under $75, you should probably take a look at the materials and build quality. A lot of the time cheap materials and hardware were used in its construction which will quickly corrode in the elements or in the case of really low quality products, burn completely through after a few uses. Each time a fire is lit a little material will be removed from the fire bowl as it heats up, the thicker the material, the longer it lasts.

So there you have it, a quick breakdown of a wood burning fire pit versus propane fire pits. There really isn’t a right answer for which one you should get, but a good rule of thumb is if you’re in a smaller or very dry space, opt for the safer propane models. If your bit more experienced or have a larger backyard and preferably a concrete patio you can feel free to grab a wood burning one.

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What Material is Best?

A fire pit can come in a varieties of materials ranging from steel and copper to cast iron and aluminum. Each has various advantages and disadvantages when compared to the the others. Lets go ahead and list the important metallurgical information then break it down into a usable form.

Property	Steel	Cast Iron	Aluminum	Copper
Hardness	140	120	95	35
Melting Point	2500°F	2100°F	1221°F	1984°F
Weight / Density	488	449	167	548
Tensile Strength	250	137	276	220

As you can see from the table above there are four main properties we focused on for each material: hardness, melting point, weight/density and tensile strength. Each of these plays an important factor when it comes to fire bowl construction.

Hardness determines how easy it is to scratch a surface with a harder surface, for example dragging a fire poker along the edge of the fire bowl or accidentally hitting it with a metal chair are all examples of where a hard material would come out unscathed while a softer one would not. Melting point is fairly straight forward. The higher this value is the more resistant a material is to heat damage. The weight/density shows you how heavy a given fire pit will be based on the amount of material present. As an example two fire pits, one made of copper and the other made of aluminum would have vastly different weights even if they are same dimensions. Lastly we have tensile strength, this is basically how resistant a material is to being cracked if hit or dropped. Lets look at that at the same table, this time in a more easy to digest manner

Property	Steel	Cast Iron	Aluminum	Copper
Hardness	Hardest	Harder	Mild	Soft
Melting Point	High	Medium	Low	Medium
Weight / Density	Heavy	Heavy	Light	Very Heavy
Tensile Strength	Flexible	Brittle	Flexible	Hybrid

Now, you can clearly see where some materials have advantages and disadvantages. Some are light and flexible like aluminum, while others are hard and heavy like cast iron. Overall Steel is generally a very safe bet when it comes to a fire bowl materials, it is hard, very difficult to melt, quite flexible, but heavy. Cast Iron is also a great alternative if you don’t plan on banging it around as much. Aluminum has the upper edge when it comes to portability which is why most of the very light fire pits use this as their preferred material.

The only odd material out of the bunch is copper, with its heavy, not quite flexible and very soft properties. This material has one key advantage however, good looks. It is by far and away the best looking material in our option and brings a great deal of style to your backyard if you choose to use it, a good example of a copper fire pit is the Titan Attachments Frontgate Copper Fire Pit Bowl shown above. Take a look at our article on the Best Copper Fire Pits for a few great copper options.

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Best Wood Burning Fire Pit – Runners Up

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Sunnydaze 42 Inch Large Cosmic Outdoor Patio Fire Pit

The Sunnydaze Cosmic Fire pit is an awesome wood burning option that gives a classic design a new lease on life, especially with the included spark screen and safety bar.

The all steel construction of this wood burning fire pit makes it an excellent choice for durability. We would recommend that you give it a coat of some high temperature rust proof paint though as the coating can begin to rust off after a season or two. The included poker and spark screen are great additions that really help add value to this fire pit, while the small micro mesh surround the moon and star cutouts go a long way to reducing runaway embers and sparks.  Unlike some cheap options, the Sunnydaze Fire pit comes with pre-drilled drain holes to prevent water and condensation build up in the fire bowl. Plus at 42″ wide you can comfortably fit 10 people around it and have room to spare all while making s’mores and roasting sausages. Read the full Review

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Landmann 25282 Barrone Fire Pit

The Landmann Barrone Fire Pit is a mix of contemporary and old world style. With a deep fire bowl and angular design it is perfect for any patio.

Constructed from heavy gauge steel that includes wonderful side crosshatching and a super wide fire bowl, the Landmann Barrone Fire Pit is a great buy. It requires very little assembly and can be put together in under twenty minutes. At just over 30 lbs it is also very portable and easily moved around the yard. The included form fitting vinyl cover, spark screen and poker gives this wood burning fire pit even more value for the money. Especially considering that all of the provided accessories are very high quality. With an antique bronze finish that hearkens back to medieval Europe this might be the fire pit for you. Read the full Review

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Landmann 26364 Savannah Garden Light Fire Pit

If your looking for fire bowl that can stand up to the heat and provide 360 degree warmth the Savannah Garden Light Fire Pit is worth a look

With a very quick 11 minute assembly time you’ll be ready to have your first backyard fire before you know it. This 23 1/2″ wood burning fire pit is great for small backyards and more enclosed spaces. The included full length spark screen does a great job of preventing embers from escaping into the yard and making sure you have an enjoyable night. While the metal is a bit thin on this model, it makes carrying it around very easy due to the lightweight nature of its construction. If you plan on getting the Savannah Garden Light Fire Pit be sure to drill a few drain holes in the bottom and give it a coating of high temp rust proof paint.   Read the full Review

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Titan Attachments Frontgate 40″ Copper Fire Pit Bowl

When it comes to beautiful looking fire pits the Titan Attachments Frontgate 40″ Copper Fire Pit Bowl has the looks to beat out the competition.

This unit has a 100% copper fire bowl which makes for a stunning backyard presentation. Its wide lipped design also helps to ensure logs stay in place even when burning. The included fire wood grate assists in increasing ventilation giving you a cleaner and less smokey burn. Plus it makes cleanup a snap as you can just pop it out, rinse the fire bowl out and slip it back in. Even better, this copper fire pit requires no assembly. Right out of the box all you need to do is set it on the included steel base and you’re ready to go. At 40″ wide you’ll be able to fit an entire crowd of guests around it who can enjoy the view and the warmth of the flames. The bowl is powder coated to prevent the copper from turning green as it reacts to oxygen in the environment. While we would have like an included cover and pre-drilled drain holes they are by no means a deal breaker when it comes to this copper masterpiece. Read the full Review

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Best Fire Pit Table – Runners Up

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Best Choice Products BCP Extruded Aluminum Gas Outdoor Fire Pit Table

With an elegant dark brown finish and a refined look, you’ll be impressing dinner guests and grabbing the neighbor’s attentions the second you fire it up.

Made of extruded aluminum, this fire pit is extremely light, very resistant to rust and assembles in a snap. With it’s large tabletop you can fit bottles of wine, hors d’oeuvre plates and more. Plus the included automatic ignition and flame adjustment makes starting this as simple as pushing  a button. With the generous under table storage you can fit a standard 20 lb propane tank for a seamless fire pit table experience. The included fire glass adds an extra bit of ambiance and really helps to make this gas fire pit stand out from the crowd. Be sure to pick up a 3rd party vinyl cover though, as the included cover simply won’t do the job. Read the full Review

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Endless Summer Gas Outdoor Firebowl

With an impressive slate tabletop, well built structure and slid out tank tray this is an excellent choice for a propane fire pit table

When it comes to first impressions the Endless Summer Gas Outdoor Firebowl makes an incredible sight. With it’s rustic slate tabletop, grid pattered steel base and impressive center fire bowl display. While it is a bit more difficult to assemble that most of the competition, once completed it is very sturdy and built to last. You can fit 8 people easily around the massive table top and the slide out propane tank tray means you can keep the  party going all night long. The extra large ledge allow you to have a full three course dinner under the stars or just put your feet up and relax with a glass of wine and a good book. If you looking to make an impressive statement on your back patio the Endless Summer Fire pit will certainly do the job. Read the full Review

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Outdoor Great Room Montego Crystal Fire Pit

If you looking for the ultimate in luxury high-end fire pit tables, the Outdoor Great Room Montego Crystal Fire Pit is a high class option with superb performance and materials

If price is a secondary concern and you simply want the best fire pit table on the market, the Outdoor Great Room Montego Crystal Fire Pit is the best choice next to a custom designed option. With a magnificent 12″ x 42″ 65,000 BTU burner surrounded by a stunning tempered glass top this fire pit table exudes a sense of luxury and prosperity. If you add on a few of the recommended accessories like the glass wind guard you can transform this into something that came straight from a 5 star resort. With a ton of under table storage space, well designed burner controls and an easy to light fire bowl there is very little to dislike about the fire pit aside from the price. If your looking to one up even the most devout backyard connoisseurs this is a perfect trump card. Read the full Review

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Care and maintenance

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Vinyl Covers

As with anything that is expected to remain outdoors you’ll need to take precautions to ensure your fire pit lasts for many seasons to come, even the best fire pit available needs a bit of protection. One of the worst enemies of fire pits is water, whether this is from rain, condensation or humidity you’ll want to keep it away from any exposed metal components.

The easiest and most effective method to protecting your fire pit from water is by using a vinyl cover. They come in many sizes, shapes and colors but all provide the same functionality. When choosing the right cover you’ll want to grab one with thicker vinyl material. A lot of the thinner covers have trouble keeping out water during heavy rain storms. A second item you want to keep an eye out for is seam seals. This is basically a clear coating over the seams that keeps water from leaking in between the threads. Getting a form fitting cover is also a great help when it comes to the wind. A generic cover might blow off whereas a cover built for a specific fire pit will fit like a glove and typically have shock cord pull strings to ensure it stays in place.

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Rust Proofing

As we detailed in the material section, steel is a great choice when it comes to making a fire pit with its hardness and high heat resistance, but as most people know it is very prone to rusting. While fire pit manufacturers to try to put rust resistant coatings on many of their products, the assembly line nature of them mean the coating is typically not very effective.

Because of this we almost always recommend you give your new fire pit a coating of high temperature rust proof paint. This will help prevent rust, reduce heat damage and allow you to enjoy your fire pit for many years to come.

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Use Desiccant Bags

If your storing a fire pit indoors or in an RV you will want to get a few desiccant (water absorbing) bags thrown into the fire bowl, this will help absorb any condensation that creeps under the protective cover. If you plan to keep your fire pit outside, it is a good idea to make sure it has adequate drain holes. Usually two to three 3/8″ holes are more then enough to ensure water can drain out the bottom. We’d recommend you drill these holes even if you plan on using a cover, but keep in mind these are exclusively for wood burning fire pit, propane fire pits should have built in drainage.

Clean out the Ashes

The last item on the maintenance list is to shovel the ashes out of the fire bowl every so often. Leftover ashes can eventually choke a new fire and keep it from burning correctly. Fire pits need sufficient oxygen to obtain a clean hot burn and they get that through both top and bottom air flow under the logs. A few minutes of cleaning will go a long wait to keeping your fire pit burning bright and hot on even the coldest of nights.

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Summary

Well there you have it, an exhaustive guide about choosing the best fire pit. We’ve gone over the pros and cons of wood burning vs propane fire pits, material types, cost analysis, and more. By now you should have a pretty good idea of what to look for and how to choose the best fire pit for you. If your just starting out and still a little lost as to which to pick we’d recommend going with our top pick for the best propane fire pit, the Outland Firebowl Premium Portable Fire Pit. There is just something to be said for soild build quality, reliability and portability.