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fire Pits That Transform Any Outdoor Space Korin Miller Contributor Forbes Vetted Contributor Group Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Following May 27, 2023, 12:59pm EDT | Share to
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Twitter Share to Linkedin Many of the top-rated fire pits below are discounted for Memorial Day weekend. Check out our list of the best Memorial Day sales for more opportunities to save. Whether you’re gathering with
Friends and family in the backyard or setting up camp in the backcountry, the best fire pits help set the mood while keeping you and your loved ones cozy and warm. Designed to upgrade your experience outdoors, these sleek, roomy accessories provide real heat—and an ideal location for your summertime s’mores setup. For many, in fact, a fire pit is a can’t-do-without piece of patio furniture . It’s often used well beyond the summer months, and it really does make family get-togethers that much more special and memorable. The best fire pits add comfort and warmth to any outdoor space. Forbes / Images: Retailer But before you decide to invest in a fire pit, it’s important to first consider your specific individual needs. Are you planning on using it as a focal point on your patio or backyard, or do you want something you can take on the go? Do you want something sizable or on the smaller end? Naturally, it’s also important to consider what kind of material you’d like your fire pit to be constructed from, and whether you’d prefer a gas or wood-powered model. While it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all of the options, the plethora of choices at your fingertips also means there’s a perfect fire pit out there for you. Whether you’re looking for a model you can start with the push of a button or something a little more involved, here are the best fire pits you can buy in 2023. Best Fire Pit Overall : Tiki Brand Fire Pit ($296, Was $395) Best Smokeless Fire Pit : Solo Stove Yukon ($500, Was $600) Best Portable Fire Pit : Outland Firebowl ($90, Was $150) Best Wood Fire Pit : Tuscola Firebowl ($152, Was $239) Best Tabletop Fire Pit : Terra Flame Fire Bowl ($100) Best Stone Fire Pit : Arlmont & Co. Koch Stone Woodburning Outdoor Fire Pit ($280, Was $330) Best Cast Iron Fire Pit : Amagabeli Fire Pit ($82, Was $110) Best Concrete Fire Pit : Elementi Granville Fire Pit Table ($1619, Was $2299) Best BBQ Fire Pit : Bali Outdoors Wood Burning Fire Pit ($158, Was $200) Best Outdoor Propane Fire Pit : Outdoor Living Granville Fire Table ($638, Was $730) Best Fire Pit Overall A Low-Smoke Option At An Affordable Price
Amazon Tiki Brand Stainless Steel Low Smoke Fire Pit $296 At Amazon Size : 24.75 x 18.75 inches | Weight : 45 pounds | Special features : Stainless steel, low smoke, included cover There’s a reason why the Tiki Brand Fire Pit is a regular crowd pleaser: It gives you a lot of firepower at a mid-range price. The 2021 Edison Awards winner is made from 16-gauge stainless steel with a weatherproof powder coating for a construction that’s designed to last. The sleek fire pit also has a specialized internal airflow system that creates a better fire than the competition without much smoke and less ash. (Speaking of ash, there’s an included ash pan that’s easy to clean up.) This fire pit uses traditional firewood, making it something you can take on the go, or you can opt for the brand’s wood pack for an instant-light fire that’ll burn for 30 minutes per pack. Best Smokeless Fire Pit A Reliable, Modern Option Whose Emissions Won't Sting Your Eyes Wayfair Solo Stove Yukon Stainless Steel Wood Burning Outdoor Fire Pit Size : 27 x 16 inches | Weight : 38 pounds | Special features : Stainless steel, heat barrier, huge flames The Solo Stove Yukon has built up a fanbase for so many reasons, but its ability to be smokeless while burning wood is a huge perk. At 38 pounds, this durable fire pit is lighter weight than it looks. A double-walled design makes a burst of hot air over the fire to keep smoke out of your face. And it’s safe to use on a wooden deck. It also has an efficient burn, creating only tiny particles of ash that are easily dumped out when you’re done. To use the stove, simply dump in a few logs, light them up and enjoy. And if the Yukon weighs a little more than you’d like, consider Solo Stove’s smaller fire pit offerings. Just a heads up: This fire pit can create a serious flame, so you may want to stand back a little. forbes.com Wayfair Coupon Codes | 10% Off In May 2023 | Forbes Best Portable Fire Pit A Spark-Free Pit That Comes With A Neat Carrying Case Amazon Outland Firebowl 893 Deluxe Outdoor Portable Propane Gas Fire Pit $90 At Amazon Size : 10 x 18.5 inches | Weight : 23 pounds | Special features : Lightweight, travel size, carrying kit This Amazon bestseller is specially designed to travel with you, whether you want an instant beach bonfire or a quickie campfire. Simply pack your pit in the included cover and carrying kit and take it on the go. Just a heads up: You’ll need to tote a propane tank, too. Then, set it up in minutes. The whole thing is spark-free to help protect campgrounds and forested areas from wildfires. Want a brighter or dimmer flame? No problem—just adjust the knob to suit your needs. Best Wood Fire Pit A Portable And Weather-Resistant Classic Wayfair Greyleigh Tuscola Steel Outdoor Fire Pit $152 At Wayfair Size : 24 x 30 inches | Weight : 25 pounds | Special features : Spark screen, log grate, two handles At 25 pounds, the Tuscola Firebowl offers the perfect mix of portability and function, so you can move it around your patio on a whim. Just grab the handles on either side and lift. This pit has a half-sphere design with a distressed bronze finish on a tapered base for a contemporary look. A weather-resistant finish keeps this bowl in great shape. Just add logs or wood pellets to get that traditional smoky scent. Once you light it up, simply place the included spark screen on top to contain the action. Best Tabletop Fire Pit A Versatile Bowl That Doesn’t Get Hot To The Touch MOST POPULAR Crate & Barrel Terra Flame Basin Set in Sand Table Top Fire Bowl Size: 10 x 10 inches | Weight : 19 pounds | Special features : Easy to handle, cool stone design Want a small fire pit that you can place just about anywhere? The Terra Flame Fire Bowl is it. This portable pit comes in a rustic-look concrete bowl that doubles as a design feature. It’s incredibly versatile, working as a small fireplace for roasting s’mores or an attention-grabbing centerpiece while you’re dining al fresco. The bowl is powered by 13-ounce cans of Terra Flame Gel Fuel that’ll give three hours of burn time per can. A nice perk: The bowl doesn’t get hot, so you can easily move it when you’re done. Best Stone Fire Pit An Attractive Option That Can Also Be Used As A Grill Wayfair Arlmont & Co. Koch Stone Wood Burning Outdoor Fire Pit $280 At Wayfair Size : 20 x 35 inches | Weight : 29 pounds | Special features : Spark screen, charcoal grid Whether you want to cook out or just cozy up, this wood-burning fire pit can do it all. Built-in handles let you move it to that perfect spot in your yard or patio, while the rounded edges are just begging for a seating circle. A mesh spark screen helps keep the fire contained, while a charcoal grid allows you to cook out over an open flame when the mood strikes. Best Cast Iron Fire Pit A Traditional Pick With Optimal Durability Walmart Amagabeli Fire Pit Outdoor Wood Burning Fire Bowl $82 At Walmart Size : 23.23 x 8.66 x 23.82 inches | Weight : 11.79 pounds | Special features : Heavy duty, rust-resistant If you’re looking for a classic fire pit without all the bells and whistles, you found it. The Amagabeli is crafted from a heavy duty cast iron for a sturdiness that’s also rust resistant, so you can enjoy your fire pit for years to come. It’s easy to assemble in five minutes, while portable built-in handles let you move your pit from place to place. This pit is powered by wood—simply light logs or pellets on fire for instant warmth. Best Concrete Fire Pit This Understated Style Will Stand The Test of Time Wayfair Elementi Granville Fire Pit Table Buy From Wayfair Size: 60 x 27 x 17 inches | Weight : 176 pounds | Special features : Made of durable concrete, sleek, and modern With plenty of great reviews, this Elementi Fire Pit Table is a favorite. Crafted from durable and strong concrete, this one is sure to last for years, making it worth the steep price. It uses natural gas to produce a warming flame that feels and looks comforting, and has a nice contemporary vibe that will look great in any yard. It also has space to be used as a table, especially when the fire isn’t on. It’s powerful enough to be used even in cold weather and has a pleasantly smooth finish that makes it nice to look at. Best BBQ Fire Pit An Entertainer's Dream Amazon Bali Outdoors Wood Burning Fire Pit Buy From Amazon Size: 32 x 32 x 25 inches | Weight : 27 pounds | Special features : Removable cooking grate, height adjustment This Bali Outdoors fire pit has thousands of positive reviews for its ease of use and versatility. It’s perfect for using as a fire pit or as a space to do some cooking. The removable grill swivels 360 degrees and can be adjusted up and down. The fire pit has an outer ledge around the fire area that allows you to use it as a shelf of sorts for drinks or snacks without heating them up. There’s a collapsible triangle frame rack that holds logs for better ventilation and it comes with a poker to stoke the fire. It’s made of a durable steel material that will help it last for years. Best Outdoor Propane Fire Pit A Powerful Grill-Style Pit That's Made To Impress Amazon Outland Living Granville Fire Table Buy From Amazon Size : 32 x 44 x 24 inches | Weight : 96 pounds | Special features : Arctic ice decorative glass rock set, can be used as a table A two-in-one fire pit and table, this propane option is powerful thanks to the 50,000 BTU/HR output and 20 pound propane tank. It’s made of a high-quality aluminum frame and has a protective powder coating and resin wicker wrapping to make it more durable. It’s easy to adjust the flame height with a chrome valve knob and it can be used as a safe place to store drinks and snacks when needed. It also comes with an Arctic Ice decorative glass rock set to make it look even more attractive. MORE FROM FORBES VETTED The Best Mattresses For Heavy People That Won’t Sag Or Buckle By Lindsay Boyers Forbes Staff The Best Mattresses For Back Pain To Reclaim Your Bedtime Comfort By Korin Miller Contributor The Best Memorial Day Fire Pit Sales To Shop Now There are tons of other fire pit sales to be had over the long weekend. Below, check out some additional discounts on top-rated options. A Rolling Patio Fire Pit That's Perfect For Bonfires Amazon Fire Sense Bessemer Rolling Patio Fire Pit Buy From Amazon This rolling fire pit will allow you to sing campfire songs and grill s’mores only steps from the comfort of your own home. With a sturdy handle and rolling wheels, it’s also super easy to store and move from one outdoor destination to the next. You can snag it at an eye-opening 66% off this weekend only when you add the coupon before checking out. A Portable Propane Fire Pit For Your Next Tailgate Party Amazon Bond Manufacturing Aurora Gas Fire Pit Buy From Amazon Safe for wood decks and green lawns, this portable propane fire pit includes a lid, stones, a tank holder, a gas hose and regulator. It’s easy to assemble and great for camping or tailgating. This Chic Fire Pit Table Perfect For a Charcuterie Board Overstock.com Furniwell Patio Propane Gas Fire Pit Table $295 at Overstock.com If you’re looking for a chic addition to your backyard set-up that will allow you to balance some wine and cheese by the warmth of an open flame, this sleek Furniwell fire pit should do the trick. It’s on sale this weekend for $50 off its usual price. An Outdoor Fire Pit With An Adjustable Temperature Control Home Depot St. Charles Steel And Aluminum Outdoor Fire Pit Table $299 At Home Depot This rust-resistant, tile-topped fire pit table is perfect for your patio. It comes complete with a push-button ignition and an adjustable temperature control knob, so you can turn up the heat without leaving your seat. Grab it on sale this weekend for 31% off its usual price. A Multifunctional Fire Pit For Group Gatherings Amazon Yaheetech Multifunctional Fire Pit Buy From Amazon If you’d like your fire pit to be the centerpiece of every party, this multifunctional model has you covered. The design transforms from a fire pit into a grill for meats and veggies, and you can even use it as a means of storing drinks and ice on a hot day. Pick it up now and take 40% off. How We Chose The Best Fire Pits Not unlike other patio furnishings such as gas grills and electric smokers , fire pits come in many shapes and sizes to meet specific needs. When rounding up and ranking the best fire pits, we considered essential features that distinguish one model from the next, such as power type, materials used and components designed to improve safety. We referenced independent customer reviews and compared these with third-party testing results, and took into account our own experience after using models on this list. The finalized list includes only models we stand by and easily recommend when the time comes to purchase a fire pit of your very own. What To Look For In A Fire Pit It can feel overwhelming to shop for the best fire pits on the market—particularly if you’ve got safety in mind. Luckily, there’s a way to make it easier: Just keep certain specifications in mind to help narrow things down. Ahead, find some of the top variables that most buyers find helpful to take into consideration. Power Type The first thing you’ll want to note is that there are three types of fire pits: wood, propane or natural gas. Wood burning fire pits are a more traditional option; these give off that nostalgic wood-burning scent and offer a pleasant, calming crackling fire sound. They’re also generally the most lightweight option, and the fires they produce tend to be larger. That said, they also emit a lot of smoke, they can be more difficult to clean and they require some know-how to start up. Propane and natural gas fire pits, on the other hand, can be easier to operate; there’s also less maintenance and cleaning involved. They don’t produce smoke, either, so they tend to be more versatile than wood-burning fire pits. Keep in mind that these types might need to be professionally installed, but they’re also easier and faster to turn on and get started in the long run. Design And Finish A fire pit should be an attractive piece of décor—it really doesn’t need to be an eyesore. And size matters: Maybe you’d prefer to have a smaller product for quiet nights with just your immediate family; maybe you want something big enough to host the entire neighborhood around. Then, there’s the matter of design. A fire pit table , as the name suggests, has table space to safely hold drinks and snacks. A fire bowl, meanwhile, has a modern and contemporary look to it and is generally more portable. You can also opt for a durable stone or concrete fire pit, or go for something aluminum. Materials The materials not only provide your fire pit with a unique look, they also dictate how it will perform. Metal fire pits, for instance, provide multi-season use but the materials can rust over time or become hot to the touch, which makes them a safety hazard around children or pets. Before investing in a fire pit, be sure to examine the materials and consider how they might impact your experience. Safety Fire pits can be dangerous, so safety must be taken into consideration. Some models come with safety features like mesh nets or screens that can limit sparks; others arrive with helpful covers. Certain models also employ columns or tabletop surrounds that make it harder for the flames to leap out. What Type Of Fire Pit Is Best? This is a subjective question, and the answer will really depend on what you’re looking for. An enclosed wood-burning fire pit will give you that traditional campfire flame, but can be harder to clean and set up. A propane or natural gas is easier to use but is more expensive in the beginning. The best type of fire pit for you depends on what you want in your yard. What Is The Safest Type Of Fire Pit? A propane or gas fire pit is typically safer than a wood-burning fire pit, but all fire pits do come with safety hazards. Propane and gas tend to burn cleaner, they don’t produce smoke and they don’t result in sparks or wildly unpredictable flames. They are also easier to clean and don’t require any other objects to get them going. Again, no matter the model, precautions should be taken. What Is The Best Material For Fire Pits? Fire pits are generally constructed from metal or stone, but which material you choose will ultimately come down to your needs. Most metal fire pits are made of steel because it can handle extreme temperatures, but it’s subject to rusting if left exposed to the elements. Copper, on the other hand, resists rust but it’s more expensive. And cast iron is inexpensive, but it’s heavy and not designed for on-the-go use. Stone, meanwhile, is often used to create a natural look that helps your fire pit blend in with the surrounding landscape. Stone fire pits are safer because the rock won’t become incredibly hot to the touch (unlike metal), and they won’t oxidize if left outdoors. For even more savings opportunities, head over to our Memorial Day coupon page to discover countless deals from some of our favorite brands. Korin Miller Editorial Standards Print Reprints & Permissions