Fire pits

Wood, smokeless, gas or propane

A traditional wood fire pit gives the most heat, the sound and smell people want, and the option to cook. It also gives smoke that follows whoever is sitting downwind, and it is the first thing banned on red flag and no burn days.

Smokeless fire pits are still wood burning. Double walls pull air in at the base and feed preheated air back in near the rim, which burns off much of the smoke once the fire is hot. They work best with dry, seasoned hardwood and a fire that is not overloaded.

Gas fire pits and tables burn propane or natural gas. They light with a switch, give a steady flame with no smoke or ash, and are allowed in many places on days when wood is not. They give less radiant heat than a big wood fire, and a natural gas line needs a licensed installer and often a permit.

Read more: Wood vs gas vs smokeless · Best fire pits

Steel thickness and finish

Steel thickness is the best single predictor of how long a wood fire pit will last. Light gauge decorative pits can warp or rust through in a few seasons. Heavy plate pits, often 3/16 or 1/4 inch, hold their shape and can outlast their owners. Weathering steel, often sold as Corten, forms a stable rust patina that protects the steel underneath, but it will stain a patio or deck until the patina settles, so set it on pavers or a pad. Stainless steel resists rust and keeps a cleaner look at a higher price. Powder coated mild steel looks sharp but needs touch ups where the coating chips.

Size and how many people it serves

For a small patio and two to four people, a pit around 19 to 24 inches across is comfortable. Groups of six to eight do better with something in the 27 to 36 inch range, and large fire rings and bowls of 40 inches or more suit big gatherings and cooking over a wide surface. Leave room for chairs to sit far enough back from a big fire, usually 7 feet or more of clear space around the pit.

Cooking over fire: grills, griddles and smokers

Many of the pieces on this page are built for cooking. Griddle rings sit around the rim of a fire bowl and give a wide flat cooking surface that is hotter near the fire and cooler at the edge. Swing arm and adjustable grates let you raise or lower food over the coals. Offset and cabinet smokers are their own category and are listed here because the same steel shops often build both. If cooking matters to you, check grate height adjustment, cooking area and whether accessories are included or extra.

Read more: Best fire pit grills for cooking · Arteflame vs Breeo

Placement, decks and distance from the house

Many fire codes and local ordinances ask for a set distance between an open wood fire and any structure, often 10 to 25 feet, and some cities ban open wood fires in certain areas entirely. Never set a wood fire pit directly on a wood or composite deck without a heat shield or pad the fire pit maker approves, and check your decking maker's guidance too. Gas fire tables are often allowed closer to the house, but still follow the clearances in the manual.

Read more: Fire pit distance from the house · Fire pits on composite decks

Burn bans and local rules

Wood fire rules change by season and sometimes by day. Air quality agencies in many western states declare no burn days in winter, and fire agencies impose burn bans in dry summers that can include gas appliances. Before you buy, check what your city, county and state allow, and whether a gas model would let you keep using the pit on restricted days. We keep guides for many states and cities.

Read more: Washington burn bans · Utah no burn days · Fire pits in Las Vegas

How we choose which fire pits to list

We favor makers who build their own pieces and publish material, thickness and dimensions. We record each maker's origin claim per product with the date we checked, and show a Made in USA mark only where the maker states it in writing for that product. We never write, copy or invent reviews.

Read more: Best American made fire pits · How we handle Made in USA