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In our selection of the best fire pits for patios, we are going with the classic meaning of the word.
We are talking about a fire bowl where you can burn wood or coal. There’s something primal about getting those flames going yourself, and the material it’s made of is key.
Cast iron fire pits for wood burning are very popular but heavy to carry if you don’t want to make a permanent fixture in your garden. Portable pop up fire pits, usually made of aluminium or stainless steel, are cheaper but won’t last as long. There’s always a tradeoff.
This is why we’ve created this list of best fire pits for warmth, for cooking, and for style. So, regardless of what your needs are, we’ve got you covered.
Our pick of the best fire pits to buy
- Singlyfire Steel Fire Pit – Best Overall Classic Fire Pit
- Ciays Propane Fire Pit Table – Best All in One Fire Table
- Ikuby Large Globe Fire Pit – Best Fire Pit With Grill
- Sunnydaze Cast Iron Retro Fire Pit – Best Decorative Cast Iron Fire Pit
- Solo Stove Yukon Stove – Best Smokeless Fire Pit
1. Singlyfire Steel Fire Pit – Best Overall Classic Fire Pit
Durable steel fire pit with rust-resistant coating, improved airflow, ash plate for easy cleaning, and safety features like a spark screen and fire poker. Includes accessories and a 1-year warranty.
If you are looking to gather a few friends around the flickering ambers of a roaring fire, then the classic-style fire pit is for you.
Made of durable and rust-resistant steel, the 4 legs keep it steady on uneven ground, making it the perfect fire pit for gardens.
We love the classic industrial style, which is both practical and a great centrepiece for any garden. This is a large fire pit bowl for a reason: it has plenty of space for your fuel of choice and plenty of airflow, allowing the fire to burn for longer.
It comes in three sizes (22″, 26″, and 29″), but it’s worth going for slightly larger than you think you need. Without a safety grill, you’ll want to give the fire space to pop and crackle in the bowl.
As it’s apparently rust-resistant, this fire pit bowl can be left outside between uses, but it will still require maintenance during the season to keep it rust-free and spruced up.
You’ll also need to get a cover to keep it in perfect condition, especially if it’s left outside for months at a time.
Pros
- Generates a wide area of heat thanks to a large bowl and good airflow
- Four legs make it steady on grass or dirt
- Easy to assemble
- Tall, standing at 19″ from the ground
- Deep bowl fire pit able to burn 5-6 large logs
- Comes with Ash Plate, Spark Screen & Poker
- 1 year warranty as standard
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a cover
- Even though made from durable steel, it still needs maintenance
2. Ciays Propane Fire Pit Table – Best All in One Fire Table
Host the perfect patio party with a 50,000 BTU propane fire pit table, providing warmth, ambiance, and space for drinks and snacks—safe, easy to use, and complete with lava rocks and controls.
Fire pit tables tend to be more expensive and for good reasons. These luxury fire pits are made to be a feature in your garden and be used for more than one purpose, which is where this Fire Pit Table comes into play.
Although reasonably priced for a fire table, this is still more expensive than a standard bowl. That said, if you are entertaining around your fire pit, you want a sturdy design that is safe and secure so big and little hands don’t get burnt.
It has an easy to use temperature control to control the level of the flame, and is best used with lava rocks to retain the heat.
Unfortunately, this table does not include extras like spark mesh or fire pit tools, but the area around the pit is handy for a drink or two.
Pros
- High 50,000 BTU to keep everyone around it warm
- Great for entertaining on patios and gardens
- Edge around the fireplace is great for drinks and small plates
- Uses lava rocks for smokeless heat retention
- Value for money for a gas-burning fire pit table
Cons
- Not portable
- No cover, tools or fire mesh
- Best for patios and concrete – extra protection would be needed for decking or grass area as it gets very hot closer to the ground
3. Ikuby Large Globe Fire Pit – Best Fire Pit With Grill
Safe and durable 35" fire pit with a deep fire bowl, mesh spark guard, airflow design, and heavy-duty steel construction. Features a hanging door, cooking grid, and stylish industrial design.
You are looking to BBQ, and create heat for a large party. You want a Fire Bowl that’s up to the job. This globe style fire pit will elevate the ambiance of your outdoor space on those long cool nights while giving you the added functionality of a grill.
It’s heavy-duty steel construction features a hanging door with a built-in mesh guard to help protect everyone around it while also giving you access to the fire and any food you’re grilling.
Pros
- Create a centrepiece for your outdoor space
- Low maintenance – rusts adds to the rustic charm
- Combines as a bbq frill
- Bowl shapes emanates 360 heats
- Easy assembly
Cons
- The whole thing gets very hot – including the legs
- A little pricey for some
4. Sunnydaze Cast Iron Retro Fire Pit – Best Decorative Cast Iron Fire Pit
This 26.5" fire pit features sturdy cast iron construction, portable handles, a mesh spark screen, and a decorative cutout design, perfect for cozy backyard get-togethers and comes with a 1-year warranty.
The Sunnydaze Cast Iron Garden Fire Pit is pure value for money. It looks good and you get exactly what you pay for: a round bowl that safely burns wood or coal and disperses heat around it, with a mesh spark screen and decorative surround.
Made from durable cast iron with a high-temperature paint finish, it has handles on each side, making it easier to carry. Even though it’s durable, once it has cooled down, you will need to put this fire pit under cover, preferably inside a hut or shed.
Once lit, it creates beautiful light and ambiance on a cool autumn night or a light spring evening. Its three sturdy legs mean it can be placed almost anywhere, and it will look the part during any gathering.
Pros
- Fits in most patios and garden
- Traditional fire pit design creates a great centrepiece for any outdoor event
- Light and easy to move around once cool
- Easy to assemble
- Fire mesh catches any stray sparks
- 1 year manufacturers guarantee
Cons
- Cast iron means it is a little on the heavy side at 27.2lbs
5. Solo Stove Yukon Stove – Best Smokeless Fire Pit
Enjoy smokeless fires with the Solo Stove Yukon 2.0, crafted from durable stainless steel. Portable, easy to clean, and perfect for camping or backyard gatherings. Stylish, long-lasting, and hassle-free.
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire – but the Solo Stove Yukon Stove proves them all wrong.
If you are willing to pay a premium so your hair and clothes don’t smell like Guy Fawkes on the 5th of November or a pit master on the 4th of July, smokeless fire pits is the way to go. And the Solo Stove is right at the top range, but you really do get what you pay for.
With heat-sensitive surfaces that won’t ruin your decking, grass, or burn hands, this already had our attention. But then it just kept adding features.
Like a double wall design that maximizes airflow and bottom vent holes that create a burst of hot hair over the fire, reducing smoke, no batteries or fans are needed. It’s portable, assembles in minutes, and is so efficient that every last bit of ash practically disappears by the end of the night.
And no, there’s no gas or propane involved, even if the image would have you believe that no real fire could look so beautiful or mesmerizing. Made from the highest grade 304 stainless steel, you will need to store this baby away, but it will soon become a feature in your backyard time and time again.
How long is this meant to last? Well, it has a lifetime guarantee. So that tells you something.
Pros
- Safe on all surfaces – decking, patios, or grass
- Smokeless design means your clothes don’t smell
- Great airflow burns away every shred of wood
- Generates great heat for a gathering of people around it
- Easy to burn wood and get a blazing fire in less than 5 minutes thanks to design
- Comes with a carry bag to store away
- Easy to assemble and move around
- Modern stylish design
Cons
- Pricey
- Not the traditional fire pit design
- You could toast marshmallows but would not recommend BBQ
What is the best outdoor fire pit?
Depending on the size of your garden or patio, the best outdoor fire pit is going to be the one that warms your space and doesn’t smoke you out.
So if you have a decent size garden and need to heat a gathering of 10 people, that Harbour Houseware will give you that classic feel. If you have a small balcony, but want to enjoy the cool evenings without smoking out your neighbours you might want to invest in the Solo Stove.
For our money, those are our favourites, but this is the best fire pits list for a reason. All the choices above are good for different reasons.
Can I build a fire pit on my patio?
When building a fire pit on patios you should always consider any prevailing winds, proximity to house and doors (for the smoke), and burns to the bricks. Never build wood burning fire pit under a covered patio as the fumes can be toxic, and ensure your fire pit is in an open area with lots of ventilation and away from anything that could burn.
What fire pits are safe for decks?
The decking is made of wood. Wood burns. Fire pits burn wood. Do you see where we are getting at?
Fire pits safe for decks is one that has a cool to touch base as a safety feature: such as the Solo Bonfire Stove. It’s a little more expensive but worth investing to protect your decking.
What do you call an outdoor fire pit?
Outdoor fire pits have many names, because anything that burns wood or coal in a bowl can be considered a fire pit. From fire tables, to fire bowls, to wood burning stoves and chimneys, outdoor fire pits can be as simple as a dirt pit in the ground, to natural gas luxury fire tables.
What is the safest type of fire pit?
The safest types of fire pits are ones with mesh guards so embers and ash can’t fly out and cause burns or fire. The Solo Stove also has a safety feature which makes the bottom of the outside of the pit cool to the touch and won’t burn the ground around it from secondary heat.
Can I use a fire pit as a BBQ?
Yes, you can. You can typically turn any fire pit into a BBQ for grilling with the right accessories. Find out what you’ll need and how to make the best of your fir bbqing experience in our post – Can you use a fire pit as a BBQ?
What type of wood is best for a fire pit?
Seasoned or kiln-dried hardwoods are the best types of wood to throw on your fire pit if you want a longer burn, higher heat, and less smoke. Find out what types of wood you can and can’t burn on a fire pit.