Best Smokeless Fire Pits for Comfortably Enjoying the Outdoors

During fall evenings in our neighborhood, you can smell the scent of campfires but can’t see the smoke. That’s because smokeless fire pits are a hot commodity for outdoor spaces. Thanks to the variety of stylish, streamlined designs on the market, smokeless fire pits offer warmth, ambiance, and the cozy smell of a campfire without leaving sooty smoke residue.

These accessories allow you to have a fire and even grill in your backyard or patio. A relatively new home product, a limited supply of reputable brands creates safe, attractive products for fire without the smoke. I have gathered the best of the bunch so that you can find your best pick for your patio.

Our picks for the best smokeless fire pits

What to consider when choosing 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 and storage

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. We keep our fire pit outside on our patio with its cover, but in times of severe weather (something becoming more common), we often need to move it and store it in the garage or basement. Most smokeless fire pits come with a cover. Most of the ones I’ve listed here weigh no more than 20 pounds with the larger models weighing more.

Quality materials

Smokeless fire pits should be made of a material like stainless steel (best) or high-temperature painted steel—all materials capable of handling high heat because smokeless fire pits typically burn hotter than a traditional fire. You want to see a double-walled fire ring that holds the flames.

Size

When shopping for a smokeless fire pit, think about the space it will occupy and how many people will regularly enjoy it. Larger fire pits will warm more hands than smaller ones, and most high-quality manufacturers, like Solo Stove, often sell a range of sizes. For example, our smokeless fire pit (Solo Stove) only comfortably warms about four to six bodies around it. Our friends own the same model in a much bigger size—enough to keep at least eight to 10 people cozy by the fire.

Placement

If you plan to buy any kind of fire pit, measure your space and determine where it will go on your property for safety's sake. Make sure you can place your fire pit 10 to 25 feet from anything flammable, such as greenery, trees, your house, cars, shed, deck, and your neighbor’s property. Purchasing a smokeless fire pit too large for safe placement is dangerous due to the potential risk of starting a fire. Stone and slate make good choices for setting up your smokeless fire pit, but make sure it’s on even ground.

How smokeless fire pits work

Fires are made from fuel, oxygen, and heat, but smoke gets in your eyes when one of these 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 it burns 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 I selected the best smokeless fire pits

Personal experience

I drew upon my personal experience and that of my friends and colleagues who own and use or have used smokeless fire pits to learn more about what works and what doesn’t when it comes to the best smokeless fire pits. 

Brand research

To narrow down my list, I conducted a deep dive into the design, price, user recommendations, and safety features of numerous brands on the market. 

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.