The best smokeless fire pits – reviewed for smoke level, cooking and efficiency

Smokeless FirepitsThe best smokeless fire pits – reviewed for smoke level, cooking and efficiencyWe put half a dozen backyard smokeless fire pits – from Solo Stove, Breeo, BioLite and more – to the test

The best fire pits in the USFAQ: frequently asked questions about fire pitsCan I use a fire pit on a wooden deck?How do you clean one?How do you cook with a smokeless grill?A campfire in your backyard seems like a nice idea – until you try one and end up shifting chairs every 30 seconds to escape the eye-searing smoke. A better option is a smokeless fire pit, which still burns wood or charcoal but is safer, contained and more manageable. You can warm your hands, cook burgers and other food, and – most importantly – gather with friends and family.

New models by Cuisinart, Breeo, Solo Stove and others help you meet all of those objectives with one product.

The reduced smoke comes from the clever double-wall construction. Air intake holes at the base draw cool air between the walls, which becomes superheated and spews out holes on the top, helping to burn uncombusted particulates and reducing visible smoke. The result is a fire that burns hotter and smokes less.

For our initial backyard smokeless fire pit testing at the Filter US (a part of the Guardian US newsroom), I reviewed six models, setting them all up in my driveway at the same time. I cooked burgers and steaks, checked the smoke levels and heat and tested how long each one lasted. After a month of testing, one clear winner stood out among several other smokeless options.

Be sure to check out our guides to the best backyard grilling tools, best camping chairs and best pfas-free rain jackets

Best overallCuisinart CleanburnRead more$250Buy at AmazonBest for cookingBioLite FirePit+Read more$300Buy at BioLiteBest at eliminating smokeBreeo Y SeriesRead more$399Buy at BreeoBest lookingTiki Social SmokelessRead more$180Buy at AmazonThe safest fire pitSolo Stove BonfireRead more$270Buy at SoloBest for $100 (an OK fire pit)OutVue Fire PitRead more$95Buy at AmazonHow we tested smokeless fire pitsand our mission at the Filter USRead moreSee our processThe best fire pits in the USBest overall: Cuisinart CleanburnView image in fullscreen Photograph: John Brandon/The Guardian$250 at Amazon$250 at Wayfair$250 at Cuisinart Why we love it

As I raced around my driveway, keeping all of my little fires burning like a wildman, cooking steaks and measuring the temp and smoke levels, one fire pit stood out in the crowd.

The Cuisinart Cleanburn didn’t seem like the clear winner at first. It’s the tiniest at only 19.5in wide and with an unassuming black and silver design, it’s the least flashy of the bunch. But don’t be deceived by its humble appearance. Of all the fire pits I tested, the Cuisinart Cleanburn worked the best after multiple tests over an entire month.

For starters, the Cleanburn radiated the most heat, clocking in at 93.5F, while the other fire pits barely cracked 80F. Standing next to the Cuisinart, you can tell it’s pleasantly hot but not scalding.

The fire also lasted the longest – a full hour when the other fire pits lasted 45 minutes. Lastly, it absolutely rocked on the smoke chart test, scoring a zero or one – similar to the Breeo Y Series. I just didn’t see much smoke at all as it burned clean inside the double-walled ring. My take: burning hotter than the rest is directly related to not spewing as much smoke.

This fire pit did not come with a grate so I used one I had laying around. (Only the Breeo and BioLite models come with a grate; it’s an optional accessory with the Tiki model.) The steak tasted just about perfect with no black scarring. Overall, the Cleanburn emerged as the clear winner, and it’s also affordable at only $250 (when most models are $300 or $400).

View image in fullscreen Photograph: John Brandon/The GuardianIt’s a shame that … the Cuisinart model is a bit dainty, measuring just 19.5in in width and only 14.65in tall. Also, attaching the legs with the included screws took extra time, considering most fire pits like the Solo Stove don’t involve any tools for assembly.

Dimensions: 19.5in width x 14.65-inch height

View image in fullscreen Photograph: John Brandon/The Guardian$300 at REI$500 at BioLiteWhy we love it

Unlike the other fire pits I tested, the BioLite FirePit+ has an unusual design – rectangular instead of round. Given its performance during my test, I wouldn’t have guessed it’s marketed as a smokeless model, since it pushed out a lot of smoke in my tests (around two or three on the smoke chart). It’s also the most expensive model on this list.

Despite the nitpicks around smoke and price, there are a few things I loved. The rectangular design stood out since every other fire pit I tested is round with air holes at the base. The main advantage is more cooking space and even heating. The BioLite FirePit+ has mesh side walls on two sides so you can watch the flames curl, unlike the other fire pits I tested where you look at the flames from above.

There’s also a large, rechargeable fan that attaches to the side to improve airflow, which lasted the entire month of testing on a single charge.

View image in fullscreen Photograph: John Brandon/The GuardianIf you do a lot of campsite cooking, the BioLite FirePit+ is a solid pick. The fan allows for more precise control over the flame and the cooking surface was big enough for eight smash burgers. Steaks cooked more evenly with the least amount of charring.

And if you find yourself sitting next to the BioLite to enjoy its warmth, you’ll be pretty comfortable. This model radiated heat at 82.5F, over 10F cooler than the Cuisinart Cleanburn. And with the same amount of lumber, the fire lasted about 45 minutes – 15 minutes less than the Cuisinart.

Would I buy one? Absolutely. It’s an ingenious portable fire pit that comes with a carrying case and the setup is easier and cleaner than making a traditional fire at a campsite would be. I ended up using it quite often just for fireside reading and roasting marshmallows.

It’s a shame that … I wish the fire generated battery power from the heat like the smaller and cheaper BioLite CampStove 2+ (Amazon). That’s quite a remarkable perk in terms of helping the environment.

View image in fullscreen Photograph: John Brandon/The Guardian$399 at Amazon$399 at BreeoWhy we love it

Breeo fire pits are immensely popular, with a sleek, all-silver design that stands out from other offerings on the market. I’ve seen these models at luxury resorts, campsites and on the patio around my neighbors.

The model I tested measures 21in in width and stands 15in tall (or 20in with the retractable legs extended). There’s also a large carrying handle on the side, which is helpful because at 31lb, this thing is a beast and the second heaviest of the group.

I noticed right away that the Breeo emits very little smoke, measuring a one consistently on my smoke chart test. Even with a raging fire, this model minimizes the smoke quite nicely. That said, the Breeo Y Series underperformed in other tests. Heat output was 81F, ranking third behind the Cuisinart and BioLite models, and the fire pit lasted about 45 minutes. In additional tests with normal logs, I found I had to keep feeding them to keep the flames flickering.

View image in fullscreen Photograph: John Brandon/The GuardianStill, if you’re looking for a fire pit that doesn’t emit much smoke, this is the great option. I gathered the family around the Breeo one night and not a single person said they had smoke in their eyes.

It’s a shame that … I wasn’t impressed with the grilling capability. The Y Series burns through logs quickly and it casts higher flames that make it challenging to cook food. It might have been user error, but I burned the steaks on a first attempt, then tried again with better results. If you’re really interested in playing with fire, Breeo does offer a height-adjustable grate for $149 (Amazon).

View image in fullscreen Photograph: John Brandon/The Guardian$180 at Amazon$180 at Tiki If there was one fire pit I’d be happy to put on my patio for its good looks, it’s the Tiki Social Smokeless – a sleek, all-black bowl resting on three hairpin legs, which did take some time to screw into place. Overall, the look is more modern than most, which I liked.

As for performance, the Tiki Social ranked poorly compared with the other models. Heat output was 75F, ranking fourth in my tests. The smoke level was not great, either, scoring about a two or three on the smoke chart test. My family and I noticed this during the cooking tests after about an hour. I saw a lot of smoke coming out of this model and a few family members reported red eyes after sitting near it.

Steaks and burgers turned out okay without much charring. Tiki offers a griddle for $263 – a nice touch that I’m sure would make cooking far easier (although I didn’t get a chance to test it).

View image in fullscreen Photograph: John Brandon/The GuardianThis model makes up for some of its shortcomings in other ways. The wide, almost cavernous opening measures almost 26in across, so it was fun to roast marshmallows and look down at the swirling flames. I noticed the sturdy metal legs stayed firmly in place on grass and on my patio, too. And at $249, it’s also nicely affordable.

It’s a shame that … the Tiki Social Smokeless took up long-term residence on my patio, but I’d hate to move it around too much. At 32lb, it was the heaviest model of the bunch.

View image in fullscreen Photograph: John Brandon/The Guardian$270 at Solo $300 at REI$420 at Amazon (Bundle with lid and cover)The model that started it all, the Solo Stove Bonfire, is ubiquitous and has been around since 2017. Unlike some of Solo Stove’s other offerings, such as the massive $700 Canyon model, the Bonfire is quite affordable at $300. And it comes with an innovative ring stand that minimizes heat build-up in the main base unit, protecting your wooden deck (although I recommend using it on a stone or cement patio – or at least a composite material deck like mine).

It’s a shame that … the Solo Stove Bonfire temp was only 72.5F, well below the other fire pits. The smoke level on my chart was consistently around a two – not as bad as some of the other models I tested, but not great, either. The cooking turned out OK but definitely not as even or thorough as the BioLite model.

View image in fullscreen Photograph: John Brandon/The Guardian$95 at AmazonAs a more standard fire pit and given its price, this can get the job done, but I was hesitant to mention this fire pit as a smokeless option because the test results were not impressive.

The OutVue Fire Pit works fine as a standard fire pit for burning wood, but emitted the most smoke by far (sometimes scoring a three or four on the smoke chart scale) at a low temp of just 74.6F. Because there was so much smoke and not as much fire, cooking steaks proved to be a challenge. My guess is that this model, sold on Amazon, is meant to look like a Solo Stove or Breeo without the tech needed to make sure smoke levels stay minimal.

It’s a shame that … it’s just an OK fire pit. In a few tests, the smoke wasn’t outrageous but it was a poor performer compared with the rest of the pack. You need to lower your expectations and compare it to a standard fire pit or you may be disappointed.

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View image in fullscreen Photograph: John Brandon/The GuardianWhy you should trust me

I’ve been testing outdoor products for 25 years, covering everything from fire pits to sleeping bags and tents. I’ve camped outdoors many dozens of times, used smokeless fire pits at cabins, resorts and in my own backyard since they first emerged on the market. I’m also a bit of a foodie, having tested grills and smokers for a couple of decades, mostly for steaks.

I went a little crazy with this test. I set up all six fire pits in my driveway where it was easy to keep an eye on them, and earned more than a few weird looks from neighbors in the process. Later, I moved each one to my cement patio to enjoy how they look with a patio set and lounge by the fire for extended periods over several weeks.

View image in fullscreen Photograph: John Brandon/The GuardianTo make sure I evaluated each fire pit fairly, I went to Lowe’s and bought six kiln-dried and untreated 8-ft 2inx4in boards. (Don’t ever use treated lumber for campfires; it’s poisonous.) I cut multiple 12-in pieces and stacked them all into little wood cabins. Of course, you can use any wood or charcoal for “fuel” – whatever you’d use at a campfire.

Measuring smoke level is more art than science. Initially, I used a TemTop S1+ (Amazon) gauge to read PM2.5 smoke particle levels. Sadly, the wind gusts made those results unreliable. So I went old school, using a Ringelmann smoke chart to note the smoke level on a scale of one to five. (A “one” means very little smoke and “five” means enough smoke to be annoying.) And I sat next to each fire pit to visually inspect them, feeling how much smoke got in my eyes.

View image in fullscreen Photograph: John Brandon/The GuardianAs for reading the temperature, it turns out holding a thermometer over a fire pit is a risky proposition. (I know because I have fewer hairs on my hands and arms now.) Instead, I placed a brick close to each model (and, later, about 4ft away) and used an infrared thermometer to read the ambient temp – the temperature someone sitting next to the fire would feel.

Cooking over an open fire requires a little patience – the secret is to wait for the red coals and embers to start before you start. For this test, I cooked several Omaha steaks (T-bones mostly) and several filet mignon steaks from Verde Farms. Lastly, I waited until each fire pit turned to ash, noting how long each one lasted. Just for fun, I did this multiple times. I also roasted way too many marshmallows (Be careful – – they, too, catch quite easily).

I donated the fire pits to a local camp for disadvantaged teens and the Lofka 5-Piece Patio Furniture set, borrowed from Lowe’s, went to the same charity.

The short answer is: I don’t recommend it. I see pictures of fire pits on wooden decks quite often, but if it means anything, I did not use one that way during my testing. I stuck to a cement patio, the backyard, a deck made of composite material or my driveway because I just don’t trust that a metal cylinder will not generate heat and the flames will not emit burning embers. If you do use one on a wooden deck, I’d monitor it at all times. Another option is to use a thick rubber pad or thick outdoor carpet, but my advice is to avoid putting it on wood.

View image in fullscreen Photograph: John Brandon/The GuardianHow do you clean one?Smokeless fire pits are a joy to use because they emit plenty of heat. They also burn wood or charcoal, and that means ash, black soot and scarring can happen.

If you clean one, first make sure it has sat empty for at least 24 hours and is fully cool to the touch. You can choose your own adventure when it comes to cleaning – sweep out the ash and soot or use soap and water to try and clean off some of the scarring.

And remember – if you leave one out in the rain, the metal ring will become discolored over time. Also, black scarring from the flames is not something you can typically clean off, so your efforts there might be fruitless.

View image in fullscreen Photograph: John Brandon/The GuardianHow do you cook with a smokeless grill?Cooking over a fire pit is not the same as cooking over a charcoal or gas grill. Start by letting the flames mostly die out and turn into bright embers to avoid scarring.

Even then, most models generate so much heat that it’s easy to burn the meat. Stay vigilant and flip burgers, chicken and steak (or any food you want to cook) sooner than you normally would, and remember that cook time will be quicker.

I also recommend using a spatula with a long handle to avoid the heat.

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