13 Best Options for a Wood Burning Fire Pit in 2024

LOOKING FOR THE BEST WOOD BURING FIRE PIT FOR YOUR HOME OR TRAVELS?

You have come to the right place because we have evaluated all kinds of wood burning stoves and have found the 13 best wood burning fire pits. How do we know they are the best? We have done the research and testing to bring you the 13 best options, and they all have excellent reviews. 

We have also traveled and lived in our camper since 2010 and search for the best products for outdoor life. You do not get the same great outdoor experience without a wood burning fire pit.

There is something about wood-burning fire pits; the crackle, the ambiance, the heat, moving the coals, and adding more wood. You cannot get more authentic then when outside around a wood burning fire.

But with so many options, choosing the best wood-burning fire pit can be challenging. Fortunately, in this article we go through your best options for wood-burning fire pits. Continue reading for the best wood fire pits for your outdoor adventures.

Quick Guide: Wood Burning Fire Pits

13 Best Options for a Wood Burning Fire Pit

1. Solo Stove Yukon 2.0, Smokeless Fire Pit

For those who love the ambiance of an open fire, Solo Stove Yukon 2.0, Smokeless Fire Pit will exceed all your expectations. Not only is it easy to start and produces beautiful flames, but it also emits very little smoke and generates an impressive amount of heat.

The solo stove fire pits are also visually stunning, and the operation is seamless. It’s designed to focus the heat in an upward cone shape, so sitting around the fire is comfortable without feeling overwhelming. But you can feel the heat radiating strongly if you step closer to the pit.

Even as the fire dies down, the heat it puts out is still impressive. And there’s no need to worry about smelling like a campfire afterward. The price may be a little steep, but it is possibly the best fire pit on the market. We give it a 10/10 recommendation!

Nevertheless, we would strongly recommend purchasing the stand, as it provides three inches of extra lift, improving airflow and preventing the heat from damaging the surface below.

▶ SHOP Solo Stove Fire Pits

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2. Sunnydaze Crossweave Fire Pit

Sunnydaze wood-burning fire pit table seems like a good value for money. It’s exactly what you’d be looking for in a large, portable fire pit, functional, and modern.

I like that it’s light enough to move around your patio, yet it seems sturdy. The cross-weave design, consisting of screen walls, is nice and makes viewing the fire through the pit easier. It creates a super ambiance for evening story-telling, while the heat adds to the mood.

The pot is strong and large enough to hold a good amount of wood, which is nice for more warmth. It’s big enough to have a stack of 2 * 2 logs and more, and it won’t come near the edge. Moreso, the depth is also nice and enough to build a fire that you can get 6-8 people around while still comfortable.

The steel construction is sturdy, while the high-temperature paint doesn’t peel off. But I suggest you don’t leave it in the rain.

A firescreen that goes over the top is handy when the fire starts. It keeps the debris, embers, and sparks away from your family. Meanwhile, the encircling bar also protects your kids while making it easier to move the pit even with the fire going after using your fire starter.

▶ SHOP Sunnydaze Crossweave Fire Pit

3. P&D Metal Works 4-Piece Solid Wood-Burning Fire Ring

The P& D Metal Works wood-burning fire pit provides a fantastic way to entertain and socialize around a campfire, whether at home or campground. We love how basic the design is. You can throw it in your truck and not worry about it getting dinged up.

It’s exactly as advertised and works as it should. The round wood-burning fire pit feels solid, looks great, and is heavy-duty. It’s handcrafted in the USA of mild 12-gauge steel. The 12-ga construction makes the round wood burning fire pit a lot of heavy-duty than other similarly-sized & expensive options. It feels substantive, and this is great if you need a reliable and long-lasting fire pit.

The construction is also well-made, and I like the multi-piece design. It’s an innovative design that makes it easier to assemble to fire pit. The four-piece effortlessly bolt together, allowing you to have more time to enjoy around the campfire.

Furthermore, the portable wood-burning fire pit construction comes unpainted to develop a patina, AKA rust color. After multiple uses, the material oxidizes to a rustic finish.

Finally, I’m impressed by the size. It sports a 72″ diameter, which is great for controlling larger bonfires. Despite the size, the firepit is clean and has a minimalistic look.

▶ SHOP P&D Metal Works Wood Burning Fire Pit

4. Best Choice Products 24in Hex-Shaped Steel Fire Pit

We recommend the 24″ Best Choice Fire Pit for enthusiasts with a small patio area. It’s a good size, perfect for smaller areas with around 5-6 people. The wood fire pit is eye-catching and a great addition to your backyard/campsite. The weathered copper/brass and the decorative lattice on the steel mesh are oil-rubbed, and the finish is nice.

Performance-wise, the Best Choice wood-burning fire pit table feels solid. The steel construction is rugged, yet, we find it easy to move and slide it around even when lit. Meanwhile, we love that it has a mesh lid at the top. The cover keeps the ashes and sparks from flying around.

Best Choice Flame is also amazing. It puts a lot of heat once the fire gets going. The steel rises at the base elevate the log, promoting airflow for a more natural wood fire.

Overall, the Best Choice wood fire pit is a simple but effective way to bring comfortable warmth to your space.

▶ SHOP Best Choice 24-Inch Steel Fire Pit

5. Stow and Go Fire Pit

Aptly named Stow and Go Fire Pit, this is all you need for your small patio. It’s just as described; very mobile and easy to use. It also comes with a canvas bag for transport and a complete package that you can take anywhere.

The folding legs set this apart from other wood fire pits. The folding mechanism is a little basic, but it makes assembling and disassembling easier. Plus, the legs don’t stick out too far beyond the bowl when assembled to cause a tripping hazard. It also feels sturdy and doesn’t wobble but will tip if not on a flat surface.

The 26″ round fire pit is a good size for the firewood and is perfect for camping, tailgating, or at the beach. It’s a great bonus that it also comes with a fire cover, poker, and cooking grate, all for a steal of a deal!

▶ SHOP Stow and Go Fire Pit

6. Fissfire 35 Inch Fire Pit

The Fissfire Fire Pit is highly rated with many five star reviews. We really like the star designs and the modern look of this fireplace. We think a fire place should improve your space not only give you a nice location for a fire. The Fissfire is durable and made heavy duty with 100 percent steel construction.

The fire pit weighs just over 35 pounds which is a good amount of weight for a fire place. You can buy a fire pit that is much lighter but the will not last for very long. This Fissfire are great size dimensions to use as a portable fireplace and it is not too heavy to take with you on your camping trips.

It does not have a grill, but it is a great fireplace where you can spend a night by the fire savoring some marshmallows or hotdogs.

Overall, this wood fire is perfect for entertaining or sharing time with your family, and we would recommend it to anyone who wants something that adds character to your space.

▶ SHOP Fissfire Wood Burning Fire Pit

7. Sunnydaze Outdoor Backyard Patio Steel 360-Degree View Wood-Burning Fire Pit

The Sunnydaze Outdoor Backyard Fire Pit is an outdoor chiminea fire pit and gorgeous outdoor deck addition.

It also looks nice and classy and has a nice design to it. But more importantly, it works as it’s supposed to. I’ve had a few fires in it, and it doesn’t put off a lot of heat, but that is by design. Chiminea fire pits don’t release as much heat as other portable wood-burning fire pit designs. However, it is the perfect option for adding ambiance and coziness to your space.

We love that it’s constructed out of heavy-duty steel and will put all your reliability fears to rest. It’s an exceptionally durable, heavy-duty wood-burning fire pit and will last long, even after repeated use.

The Sunnydaze is great for outdoor use, and this model has a round wire mesh screen design, which allows for 360-degree full-flame visibility from every angle. Furthermore, the chiminea fire pit includes a wood grate to promote optimal air. Other exciting features of this model include a fire grate, fire poker, cover, and ash pan.

▶ SHOP Sunnydaze Outdoor Backyard Wood-Burning Fire Pit

8. ZENY 32in Outdoor Fire Pit

The Zeny Outdoor Fire Pit is a great backyard fire pit. It is larger and is made for entertaining with the firepit having some ledges where you can put drinks. The firepit is a little unique as it can really nicely double as an open beverage cooler. All you need to do it clean the fire pit and add your ice and beverages and you are ready to go. This makes this firepit a fun choice for those who love to play in the backyard.

Something we also really like is that this firepit is cheap. You are not going to beak the bank when you purchase this firepit. If you are wanting to try a firepit but you don’t want to spend a couple hundred dollars then this is a great option for your first firepit.

The Zeny fire pit will also come with the needed grates that you can use it as a BBQ where you can grill just about anything you can think of. However, do keep in mind that if you are grilling something that can take a pit it can be hard to add wood to the fire while grilling.

Overall, the Zeny looks great and comes at an unbeatable price. It’s not the most solid but, we would buy it again.

▶ SHOP ZENY 32in Outdoor Fire Pit

9. Bond Manufacturing Nightstar Wood Burning Fire Pit

Bond Manufacturing Fire Pit is a 2-in-1 fire pit, available as a fire pit and a grill. The grill is of a good size and works well.

The combo design is also innovative in that the grill grate can swivel 360 degrees away from the flame for easy adding grill items, serving, stoking the fire, and cleaning. The grill surface rotates above the coals or is completely out of the way.

Design aside, I like the solid steel construction. After having grilled personally with this wood-burning fire pit table, I can confirm that it doesn’t feel flimsy or like it’ll break apart after several uses. It’d durable but lightweight and easy to pack.

It doesn’t skimp on the performance. It’s deep enough to accommodate several large logs, so you don’t have to keep on adding new logs. It also puts out a nice flame and heat. Disassembling this grill-fire pit combo is also a breeze.

▶ SHOP Nightstar Wood Burning Fire Pit

10. Endless Summer Black Wood-Burning Outdoor Fire Pit with Chimney

We like the size, weight, function, and look of the Endless Fire Pit with Chimney. It feels solid, and the durable cast iron still holds up after repeated use.

The performance of this small fire pit is nice, and I like that it works great for cozy fires and cooking burgers and hot dogs! The slide-out cooking grill creates a nice platform for a recipe for the perfect evening in your backyard.

It also gives out a lot of heat, which is nice for the cold evenings. The best part is it has a removable chimney, which routes most of the smoke up and away.

We also love seeing through the fire pit’s body and on all sides. It means we can still see the forest through the fire from the house.

A removable ash receiver is a bonus, making tending and cleaning the portable wood-burning fire pit easy. I’d give the assembly instruction and process a “B” and suggest you assemble everything loosely before committing to the finished product.

▶ SHOP Outdoor Fire Pit with a Chimney

11. Endless Summer Brushed Copper Wood-Burning Outdoor Fire Pit

The Endless Summer Outdoor Pot is a great wood fire pit for backyard or campground enjoyment. It’s easy to assemble, good-looking, and functional. I love that it serves its purpose and works exactly as advertised.

One of the highlights of this outdoor patio fire pit is the AirFlow Technology. It’s simply an opening in the milled and underneath the pit that draws more air into the fire pit for increased combustion. The vent also serves to drain the water if you leave it outside.

The small fire pit stands 17″ high and has a spacious bowl accommodating larger fires. The brushed copper finish is nice-looking, while the steel construction feels solid.

The Endless Summer Brushed Copper also has an easy-to-lift mesh spark guard to protect you from flying embers and sparks. Putting up this wood-burning fire pit table is easy, even if you’re not mechanically inclined.

▶ SHOP Endless Summer Brushed Copper Fire Pit

12. Breton Square Wood Fire Pit Gray

The Breton Square Wood Fire Pit is available in a clean and contemporary design. May enthusiasts buy one because of the sleek and nice design?

Aesthetics aside, this pit is also functional. It feels sturdy when standing and has a heat-resistant powder-coated steel frame.

It puts off a good amount of heat and creates a nice ambiance. Assembly of the Breton steel wood-burning fire pit is easy, and you don’t have to be mechanically inclined.

We like the spark screen and the protective storage cover.

▶ SHOP Breton Square Wood Fire Pit

13. Outsunny 37″ Outdoor Fire Pit Grill

Experience the perfect blend of warmth and outdoor cooking with Outsunny’s portable metal fire pit! Boasting a unique 2-in-1 design, this fire pit provides you with the traditional warmth of a bonfire and a grill grate to cook delicious meals.

The extra-large steel bowl is perfect for holding ample amounts of wood, so forget about frequent refills.

Meanwhile, the metal screen lid arrests the flying embers, while the provided poker allows you to keep turning the woods for a steady burn.

Whether camping, entertaining guests on your patio, or enjoying a quiet night under the stars, this stainless steel wood-burning fire pit is the perfect addition to your outdoor space!

▶ SHOP Outsunny Portable Metal Fire Pit

Things to Look for in a Wood-Burning FirePit

In the section below, I’ll provide a brief on selecting the right wood-burning fire pits for your needs. Our guide will help you narrow your selection from the list of options I’ve suggested.

Design

When the wood fire pits are mentioned, chances are you think of the traditional bowl-shaped containers holding fire in the center. They’re the most common designs around.

However, wood fire pits are available in different shapes and sizes. Knowing the different designs will help you choose a design fitting your needs.

Fire Bowl

The fire bowl is the classic portable wood-burning fire pit design. Aptly named the fire bowl, this design imitates a bowl with a large space for burning wood. The fire bowls are a great option for most people, thanks to their nice heat source and stylish design.

Fire Basket

Fire baskets often serve as a “waste incinerator” but can also be re-purposed for outdoor fireplaces. These pits have a more raised design and usually have the flame sitting higher than the bowl.

Another significant feature of the fire basket design is the bowl usually has more gaps in between, so there’s sufficient airflow. More airflow fans the fire; thus, the flames on the fire basket are usually hotter and harder.

Chimenea

The chimenea design is a great pick for your patio. Unlike the other two designs, the chimenea has an enclosed fire pit bowl with a chimney or stack at the front.

Chimenea doesn’t distribute heat like other designs and is ideally suited for smaller spaces.

Speaking of camping, if you’re always looking for places to go camping, we highly recommend checking out The Dyrt, the #1 camping app. The Dyrt Pro has amazing resources to make planning so easy:

• Take advantage of PRO Membership discounts to save up to 40% on campground costs
• Plan camping road trips with the Trip Planner
• Find free dispersed camping locations
• Use The Dyrt app anywhere with offline access

We have arranged with The Dyrt to give the CS Ginger viewers a FREE 30-Day Trial using the code “csginger.” Normally the trial is 7 days!

Smoke vs. Smokeless

One of the things that ruin an otherwise enjoyable wood fire burning experience is the smoke. And in most cases, smoke from burning wood is inevitable, and it somehow seems to follow you regardless of the seat you switch to.

The good news is that some smokeless wood designs do away with the smoke discomfort. They don’t eliminate smoke, so their description is slightly misleading.

Instead, the smokeless wood fire pits use a design/technology (unique for every brand/product) to cut on the smoke. Most designs usually force the smoke to travel straight up instead of out. They also allow the burning of all debris that otherwise contributes to most smoke.

So, the smokeless option would better be described as “less smoke” wood fire pits. The smoke isn’t zero, but there’s a noticeable difference.

The addition of the smokeless technology increases the overall price of these wood fire pits, but it’s well worth it. In particular, the smokeless wood fire pits are great fire pit options for those sensitive to smoke. The pits are also fantastic for users who don’t want to deal with the effects of smoke, such as smoky clothes.

Size and Weight

Size is also an important detail to consider when selecting a wood fire pit. Generally, the size should correspond to the space your want to light up or heat. For example, if it sits on a big patio, you should get a big fire pit.

On the other hand, if you plan to use the wood fire pit to serve a small group of 2-4 people in a close circle, consider something small.

But you also need to understand that the bigger the fire pit, the heavier it comes. Therefore, the trick is finding a balance between a wood fire pit that can serve you and one that is easy to handle.

Purpose

You must also consider the purpose or what you want t primarily do with your fire pit. And this boomerangs us to the design element.

For example, if you need your wood firepit to provide heat and ambiance and be at the centerpiece of your space with everyone sitting 360 degrees, then the basket firepit would be a great choice.

On the other hand, if you want to re-purpose your wood fire pit for occasional BBQ, then a fire bowl or chimenea would be a fantastic choice.

Finally, consider a chimenea if you want the fire pit facing one side and with a little more intimacy. It directs heat out in one direction.

Construction Materials

The choice of material for your wood fire pit is important. It’s more than just aesthetics; it will also determine the longevity and durability of your wood fire pits.

Wood fire pits are built from different materials, each with its charm. However, the underlying property of each material is that it should be fireproof. Metal is a fantastic choice for wood-burning fire pits for camping.

Here’re some of the metal variations for wood-burning fire pits materials:

Corten steel: Corten steel is incredibly durable and maintenance-free. It’s available in a beautiful coppery red/orange hue, so it’s also quite aesthetic.

Cast iron & mild steel: These are also popular options. They’re sturdier but require more maintenance.

Clay: Clay wood fire pits don’t suffer from the effects of inclement weather and don’t rust. Plus, they’re available in different shades, so it is easy to match one with the color scheme of your backyard. However, the clay fire pits are maintenance-intensive and require extra care.

Taking Care of Your Wood-Burning Fire Pit for Camping

Here’re some tips for caring for your wood-burning fire pits:

✔ Always wait at least 24 hours after using the fire pit for camping to start cleaning. This will give the ash and the remaining debris enough time to cool down before handling.

✔ Always have working gloves when cleaning your wood fire pit.

✔ Your cleaning method depends on the material of your wood fire pit.

✔ Use water and your regular dish detergent for steel and metal fire pits. Use a soft rag to wipe off the dirt.

✔ For stone and masonry fire pits, use a simple muriatic acid and water solution. However, instead of a rag, use a soft-bristled brush for a cleaner look.

✔ For a cast iron wood fire pit, use a steel wood pad to scrub the dirt off.

✔ The final care tip for wood-burning fire pits is to use only seasoned wood. In other words, use dry wood. Green and damp woods is smoky, create more creosote, and don’t create large flames.

Safety

Wood fire pits pose a fire safety risk, just like the regular fire. But here’re some tips to minimize fire hazards when using a fire pit for camping.

Location-Distance from Deck/Tent

Where your wood-burning fire pit for camping sits is crucial. While there’re no hard-and-fast rules, your fire pit should be positioned a good distance from any obstacle that may cause a fire.

Design

The design of your wood-burning fire pit also affects safety. Some designs are inherently safer than others.

For example, outdoor wood-burning fire pits with an elevated design and those raised to the ground are much better, especially if you care about the environment and don’t want to harm the grass.

Spark Screen

A spark screen is a nice safety feature for a fire pit for camping. It arrests the flying embers and keeps them from lying and landing on flammable objects. Plus, it protects everyone around the pit from the stinging fire sparks.

Fire Pit Pad

A fire pad adds a layer of protection, ensuring the grass or the immediate environment is protected against heat, sparks, and ashes.

FAQ: Wood Burning Fire Pit 

Are Wood-Burning Fire Pits Good?

Wood-burning fire pits provide a fantastic way of recreating outdoor campfires in the comfort of your backyard. They add warmth to your space and create ambiance, thus elevating your home-outdoor experience.

What is the Best Wood to Burn in a Fire Pit?

The best wood for burning in a fire pit should be seasoned. It should be dry for a clean and efficient burn. In addition, we suggest you pick hardwood over softwood for your fire pit burning needs. Hardwoods are more dense and ignite a low-maintenance fire that lasts for a while.

What Do You Put in the Bottom of a Wood-Burning Fire Pit?

Several DIY option exists, such as sand, stones, or fire glass. Alternatively, you could invest in a fire pad. The fire pit pad protects your deck and the grass from, embers, and ash from the wood fire.

What is the Best Material for a Fire Pit?

The best material for a fire pit should be fireproof. Metals, particularly cast iron provides a fantastic choice for a fire pit. Cast iron is sturdy, heavy, and an excellent heat conductor, so it’s excellent at spreading heat.

Are Smokeless Fire Pits Smokeless?

No, smokeless firepits aren’t smokeless-it’s a misleading term. Instead, they suppress the smoke by directing it upward instead of sideways.

What Types of Fire Pits Give Off the Most Heat? 

Outdoor wood-burning fire pits are more popular than propane fire pits because they generally give off the most heat. Wood burns hotter than gas fire pits. In addition, you can stack it to achieve a hotter and more robust flame than a gas pit flame.

Conclusion: Best Wood Burning Fire Pit

There are some great wood burning fire places on the market. We love outdoor fires but it is important to learn and follow fire safety. The ambiance is great and they make for a great center piece for adventures and your home. However, don’t forget to pack your campfire games!

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