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Smokeless fire pits are a hot commodity for your outdoor space, thanks to the variety of stylish, streamlined designs on the market offering warmth, ambiance, and the sweet smell of a campfire without leaving sooty smoke residue behind.
These accessories allow you to have a fire and even grill in your backyard or patio. A relatively new home product, there is currently a limited supply of reputable brands creating safe, attractive products for fire without the smoke. We’ve gathered the best of the bunch so that you can find your best pick for your patio.
First: What should I look for in a smokeless fire pit?
A smokeless fire pit should be easy to light and provide the warmth and aroma of a campfire without pumping out smoke or soot.
Easy maintenance
Look for a smokeless fire pit that’s easy to clean (removable ash pans are a must) and, most importantly, lightweight enough to move or store.
Quality materials
Smokeless fire pits should be made of a material like stainless (best) or high-temperature painted steel—all materials that are capable of handling high heat because, typically, smokeless fire pits burn hotter than a traditional fire.
Durable construction
You want to see a double-walled fire ring that holds the flames.
Our picks for the best smokeless fire pits
Best easy to clean smokeless fire pit: Tiki Patio Fire Pit
Tiki's patio smokeless fire pit has a removable ash pan, making it our top choice for the easiest to clean. You can burn wood pellets (prepackaged and sold separately by Tiki) or your firewood. Either way, after you’re done, all you need to do is push the ash around the bottom of the fire pit and it will fall through the holes into the clean-up pan. Dump all the ash out of the pan, and you’re ready for your next outdoor fire.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 24.8 inches high x 18.8 inches wide
- Weight: 43 lbs
- Fuel: Branded wood pellets or firewood
- Carrying case/cover: Yes
- Price on publish: $395
Pros:
- Removable ash pan makes clean up easy
Cons:
- If you don’t use the Tiki brand fire pit and wood packs, you may not have a low-smoke experience, according to the company
- Expensive
Tiki Patio Fire Pit
Best budget smokeless fire pit: INNO Stage
INNO Stage is an affordable smokeless fire pit that comes in three sizes. The smallest is the least expensive and you can buy it in stainless steel or painted black. You can burn your own wood or wood pellets and reviewers say it provides carrying handles so you can move it around, which is helpful because it doesn't come apart. You can save money by only buying the firepit, or you can add accessories like a grill or cooking surface. (While you can cook, you can’t precisely control the temp—making a meat thermometer a necessity if you do decide to grill.) It’s also light enough (the medium size is just 16 pounds) that you can move it easily once it’s cooled down after a fire.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 17 inches in diameter x 15 inches wide x 12.5 inches high (medium size)
- Weight: 16 lbs
- Fuel: Wood
- Carrying case/cover: Yes
- Price on publish: $84.69
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Affordable
Cons:
- The smaller sizes may not create enough of a fire for a large group
INNO STAGE Smokeless Fire Pit for Outdoor Wood Pellet Burning Spark Bowl with Portable Carrying Bag
Best portable smokeless fire pit: Blue Sky The Ridge Smokeless Portable Fire Pit
This portable fire pit is lightweight and small enough to bring along with you (it even has its own carry case) for camping adventures, or simply to your friend’s house. It burns firewood, wood pellets, or both in its burn chamber. The fire pit is designed to nest all together, so you can easily set it up and break it down.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 15.76 diameter x 12.5 inches high
- Weight: 14.8 lbs
- Fuel: Firewood or wood pellets or both at the same time
- Carrying case/cover: Yes
- Price on publish: $89.99
Pros:
- Rugged yet portable
- Easy to break down and set up
Cons:
- Does not come with any accessories
Blue Sky The Ridge Smokeless Portable Fire Pit
Best smokeless fire pit with smart technology: BioLite FirePit+
If you’re looking for a device to help you control your campfire, the BioLite FirePit+ is the fire pit of your dreams. You can literally control the fire's flame (and airflow) with your smartphone, thanks to the Bluetooth-enabled app that controls a power pack built into the fire pit. The app is compatible with both iOS 10.0+ and Android 5+ and comes with a USB A to Micro USB Cord. Aside from the awesome app technology, the FirePit+ can double as a charcoal grill when you use the included grate. Shopping tip: If your outdoor cooking needs go beyond the occasional, consider opting for a pick from our list of the best grills.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 27 inches wide x 13 inches in diameter x 15.8 inches high
- Weight: 19.8 lbs
- Fuel: Firewood–fits four standard sized logs, or charcoal
- Carrying case/cover: Yes
- Price on publish: $299.95
Pros:
- Doubles as a charcoal grill
- Folding legs
Cons:
- Expensive
FirePit+
Best smokeless fire pit for patios: Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0
Solo Stove makes good-looking smokeless fire pits, and the Bonfire 2.0 is our top pick for enjoying a firepit on your patio. It comes with the manufacturer's Signature 360° Airflow, designed to circulate and heat air to burn off the smoke. It has literally thousands of positive reviews (including from this author, who owns one) and the sleek, minimalist design is guaranteed to look stylish on every type of patio or deck. It’s Solo’s best seller for a reason, being easy to assemble and clean, and even comes with its own carrying case, if you want to take it with you.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 19.5 inches wide x 14 inches high
- Weight: 23.3 lbs
- Fuel: Firewood
- Carrying case/cover: Yes
- Price on publish: $249.99
Pros:
- Good looking design
- Removable ash pan for easy clean up
Cons:
- Users (including this author) has found it smokes for around 15 minutes before it clears away
- Expensive
Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0
Best splurge smokeless fire pit: Breeo X Series Smokeless Fire Pit
This may be a splurge, but its lifetime warranty, rugged design, and built-in heat shield may make the X Series worth the hefty price tag. It comes in three sizes and two colors (corten and stainless) of steel. It’s called the X-Series because of the raised, x-shaped air vent on the bottom of the pit, which enables oxygen to feed the fire even after your ash builds up. Built in Lancaster, PA, this fire pit is designed to last, no matter how many fires you burn. It also comes with a range of grilling accessories (sold separately) so you can use it to cook over an open flame, and then enjoy the warmth of a fire after your meal.
Specifications (X19):
- Dimensions: 14.75 inches high x 22.13 inches wide
- Weight: 47 lbs
- Fuel: Wood
- Carrying case/cover: Yes, sold separately ($70)
- Price on publish: $399
Pros:
- Lifetime warranty
- Made in the USA
- A variety of accessories
Cons:
- Expensive
- Heavy
Breeo X Series Smokeless Fire Pit
Best permanent smokeless fire pit: Solo Stove Yukon 2.0
Another vote for Solo Stove! The Yukon is its largest model, and due to its sleek design, it’s a great option for a permanent smokeless fire pit. Purchase a fire pit surround, lid, and stand and your Yukon can stay put in most weather. Short of building a permanent pit, this may be the way to go for large group gatherings.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 27 inches wide x 17 inches high
- Weight: 41.6 lbs
- Fuel: Wood
- Carrying case/cover: Yes, sold separately ($69.99)
- Price on publish: $449.99
Pros:
- Large enough for groups
- Stainless steel
- Great accessories
Cons:
- Expensive
- Must purchase most accessories separately
Solo Stove Yukon 2.0
Best small smokeless fire pit: Colsen Indoor/Outdoor Tabletop Fire Pit – Round
Fueled by rubbing alcohol, this smokeless and odorless fire pit still offers the comfort and ambiance of an actual fire, and it lights with a match. If you want the smell of wood burning, this probably isn’t for you, but we love the flames that last up to 50 minutes, as well as the portability of this cute, tabletop option.You can even make smores over it.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 5 inches high x 4 inches wide
- Weight: 5.5 lbs
- Fuel: Comes with a bottle of rubbing alcohol
- Carrying case/cover: N/A
- Price on publish: $89.99
Pros:
- Can be used outdoors or indoors
- Extremely portable
- Can even make s’mores over it
Cons:
- No actual wood fire
- Can’t cook or grill over it
- More for ambiance than warmth
Colsen Round Concrete Tabletop Fire Pit in Grey
Best large smokeless fire pit: Breeo X30
One of the largest smokeless fire pits on the market, this Breeo option is enormous, with a 30-inch diameter. Boasting all the features of smaller Breeo fire pits, but elevated to a larger dimension, it has two Breeo Outpost anchor attachments and provides 60 percent more fire than the smaller Breeo X series. Breeo refers to the X30 as its “ultimate grilling machine,” so if you like cooking for a crowd or gathering community around a flame, this one might be a good fit (provided you own a large patio).
Specifications (X30):
- Dimensions: 34.5 inches wide x 14.75 inches high
- Weight: 94 lbs
- Fuel: Wood
- Carrying case/cover: Yes, sold separately ($110)
- Price on publish: $1,399
Pros:
- Lifetime warranty
- Made in the USA
- Can accommodate cooking/grilling for crowds
Cons:
- Very expensive
- Extremely heavy
- Not easily portable
Breeo X30
How smokeless fire pits work
Fires are made from fuel, oxygen, and heat, but smoke gets in your eyes when one of these three elements is imbalanced. A smokeless fire pit is designed to keep all the elements in check so you get heat and flame without the smoke, by providing more oxygen and letting the fire burn its smoke inside the pit, before it gets out. Most smokeless fire pits produce some smoke right at the beginning of the burn, but quality fire pits stop the smoke after a few minutes.
Most smokeless fire pits burn wood or wood pellets (sold separately or with the pit). Be prepared to feed your smokeless fire as they burn faster than an actual fireplace, and keep it on a safe surface (like stone, or on top of a fire mat) when in use.
How we selected the best smokeless fire pits
We researched smokeless fire pits designed to have limited smoke, and high appeal based on popular brands. We selected options based on design, price, user recommendations, safety features, and how little smoke they produced.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Are smokeless fire pits worth it?
If you love a good campfire but don’t like the smoke they produce, a fire pit can be a useful and attractive accessory that provides a safe, smokeless fire experience.
What happens to the smoke in a smokeless fire pit?
Most smokeless fire pits are not truly smokeless, as you’ll usually get a few minutes of smoke as soon as you light your firewood or pellets. A quality smokeless fire pit will, however, stop smoking shortly after it sends up its first plume or two.
Can you use a smokeless fire pit under a covered patio?
Fire pits, like all fires, should never be lit under a covered or enclosed patio.
Can you put a smokeless fire pit on grass?
Putting any sort of fire pit directly on grass can be dangerous, but you can use your smokeless fire pit on grass if you prepare for it. You can put stones or a fire pit mat on top of grass, but it will likely kill the grass regardless, so a patio or deck, or designated campfire site, may be a better choice.
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