If you’re on the hunt for a completely smokeless tabletop fire pit that can be easily moved around and used indoors too, this Bio ethanol model is an excellent buy. Admittedly, the price tag is high, especially considering you can make a fire pit out of a steel shopping basket, dustbin or old washing machine drum! However, the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 burns very efficiently, and uses precious little fuel, while producing barely any ash, and is more or less smokeless, all of which means it punches way above regular fire pits. And, if you do buy into the Solo Stove hype, you should be set for life thanks to its lifetime guarantee. This low-standing, steel fire pit will provide 360 degrees of wood-burning fire. It has three legs, as well as handles, so it can easily be manoeuvred around the garden and you can cook food over it if you want. Chimineas are normally smaller in width compared with fire pits, but much taller. The surrounding walls offer more safety because they can contain the fire, while also retaining heat and funnelling the smoke upwards rather than outwards, which a fire pit does. But if you find that the accompanying smoke dampens that pleasure, or if your neighbors 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.

Fire pits are more versatile than chimineas in terms of the fuel they burn. You can use Bio ethanol models both inside and out, and large fire pits will provide more space for cooking. They’ll also provide a larger fire and more warmth than a chiminea, depending on the size of your fire pit. What is the best wood for fire pit? However most fire pits will give you a full 360-degree view and allow you to make a larger fire. Patio heaters These fire pits are made using a recycled washing-machine drum – great if you want to get creative and save some money. All you need to do is remove the drum from the machine, along with any plastic parts, then stake it safely into the ground. You can add legs if you want it higher off the ground. This is one of the cheapest fire pits on our list but it’s sturdy, well made and more versatile than many of the other models. We like the addition of the mesh lid and that the stone textured surround is large enough to place a drink or plate on.

It may not push out quite the same levels of heat that our regular and much bigger, single skin, fire pit does, but I’ve read that’s the payoff when considering any low smoke firepit. The double-cavity required to achieve those mesmerising rolling flames, and the smoke reduction, inadvertently acts as heat insulation. No outdoor heater is ‘good’ for the environment. Unfortunately, wrapping yourself up in a blanket or throwing on an extra jumper is the only real eco-friendly way to stay warm in your garden. Heat Deflector: Smokeless fire pits send most of their warmth straight up, but this heat deflector redirects it outward. Normally made of steel, this style of fire pit features intricate designs that create a picture silhouette lit by the flames behind them. You can choose from a variety of sizes, shapes and designs. Yes, a Solo Stove can get wet or rained on, but it’s recommended to cover the stove with a protective cover when not in use to prevent rusting and damage.

Although we did choose two favorites, in our testing nearly all of the smokeless-pit designs worked more or less the same. They all 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 fire pit. That extra oxygen creates a secondary combustion of the fire’s off-gassing, molecules that usually create smoke if they aren’t burned. What distinguishes fire pits from one another is largely their looks, how easy they are to clean, and, to some extent, the available accessories. My main – and completely unscientific – test for the presence of smoke basically came down to whether or not I had to wash my hair before bed! I can’t stand the smell of smoke-filled hair, and on those windier days, I did have to take a shower. The patented double wall with top vents creates the world's most unique double burn and nearly smokeless fire. As a result, the secondary combustion produces a fire ring with mesmerising flames burning away most smoke. There are often specific rules about placement for safety, such as siting a fire pit at least 10 feet away from buildings and fences, or having a water source nearby. Some counties and states may even require an inspection by local fire officials or may regulate fuel type. Size

For campers, explorers and home barbecuers, the Solo Stove Ranger is an excellent cooking fire pit. It includes a good-sized sturdy cast iron grill which rests securely on top of the fire pit hub. The spaces under the grill allow you to re-fuel when needed without disturbing the food on top. Clean-up required scooping ash out, as the unit is too heavy to dump out easily—Breeo sells a shovel designed to ease this process. The brand also offers several accessories for cooking over the fire, which make the X Series as much as grill as it is a fire pit. Next, we marked lines at 2-, 4-, 5-, 6-, and 7 feet. We then sat three people around the firepit at those distances to gauge how comfortable the heat was from the firepit. BTU is the standard unit of measure for heat, but knowing that doesn't tell you how warm it makes you while you're sitting at it. Pellet fire pits The main point to note is that you should not overfill the Bonfire 2.0. If the wood/kindling sits higher than the upper vent holes (inside the rim) you will stuff any hopes of smoke-free burning and it’ll also compromise the airflow burning system, too. This traditional-looking fire pit is constructed from sturdy cast iron, making it one of the most durable fire pits on our list. The wide bowl means you can load up plenty of logs for a more sustained burn and an impressive heat output.

Eco-Friendly Operation: Traditional fire pits can release substantial amounts of particulate matter into the air, contributing to air pollution. The Fiesta Garden Stove employs cleaner-burning technology, reducing its environmental impact and allowing you to enjoy your outdoor space responsibly. In terms of gas, propane is more energy efficient and environmentally friendly than natural gas. Most fire pits are built to burn propane gas but many can be converted to run on natural gas if required. What is the best stone for fire pit?Stylish Aesthetics: As much as fire pits have a rustic appeal, they may not always complement modern outdoor aesthetics. The Fiesta Garden Stove boasts a sleek design that seamlessly blends with various outdoor decor styles, adding a touch of sophistication to your space. We’ve come to appreciate Solo Stove’s smokeless fire pit technology, which really does work. The fire pit is a double-walled, stainless-steel cylinder with holes ringing the base on the outside and around the top on the inside.