3 reasons why a smokeless fire pit is the perfect addition to your patio
We are in the middle of autumn, which means our days are warm, but our nights are a bit chilly. But this can be the perfect season to spend some time outside after sunset. These evenings are the best time for a fire because of the atmosphere, the warmth, the cooking or for any other reason why you want to light a fire on the terrace. One of the major disadvantages of a fire in the house is the smoke. So the best solution to this problem would be to have a smokeless fire pit.
When Solo Stove was the brand that really popularized these products, and when the hype around smokeless fire pits increased, I wasn’t sure if they were worth it. I’ve had a few different types of fire pits for my house, but until a few years ago I’d never been near one of the smokeless varieties. Then it clicked and I realized how amazing the technology (or lack thereof) is that makes using these fire pits the best way to start a fire, not only for myself, but for many others as well.
There’s more to these fire pits than just the lack of smoke, and they come in more sizes and styles than you might think. So you can light a crackling, smoke-free fire with less effort and in more places than before.
Enjoy the heat without the smoke
Smokeless fire pits are ideal for giving your evening a perfect glow, but also for preventing your clothes from becoming soaked in campfire smoke.
Although Solo stove may be the most well-known brand for smokeless fire pits, but it is not the only one on the market. As you look out over the landscape of smokeless fire pits, you’ll see many choices. Breeo is another brand that’s highly regarded in the space, but you can also find fire pits from recognizable but unexpected brands like Kitchen art And East Oak.
Of all the different options available for a smokeless fire pit, they all offer the same claim: fire without smoke. These fire pits work using a double-walled approach with holes in the inner wall, which allows clean air to be drawn in through the bottom of the fire pits. Then, using the heat generated by the fire, that air is superheated and as it rises into the space between the two walls, it escapes through the holes at the top of the fire pit and ignites the small particles in the smoke.
The holes in the inner wall of a smokeless fire pit are where superheated air escapes to burn smoke-causing particles.
This creates a nice fire effect from the holes and stops the smoke before it can get into your face. When burning wood, there are always small pieces of dust that do not burn and are the main culprits in creating smoke. Using the science of convection, these smokeless fire pits create secondary combustion that eliminates most, if not all, of the smoke.
Please note that when you first light the fire there will be smoke. Until the fire really gets going and the fire pit heats up, not enough heat is generated by the fire to cause secondary combustion. Once everything is really burning, the smoke will disappear.
If you cannot have a fire pit where you live and warmth is all you are looking for, then you may want to consider purchasing a fire pit. patio heater. A patio heater can be a great way to extend the use of your outdoor space, but you will lose some of the benefits that a smokeless fire pit provides. Of course, check with your local officials to ensure these products are an option.
What you need to know about smokeless fire pits before you buy
With so many brands selling smokeless fire pits, with a wide range of sizes, styles and even shapes, there can be some confusion about which one to buy. Apart from looking at our list of best fire pitsOther factors must be taken into account when purchasing a fire pit.
Are Cheap Smokeless Fire Pits Good?
East Oak makes an inexpensive smokeless fire pit that adds a little flair to cylinder-style fire pits by making them more serpentine.
As with most things you buy, sometimes you get what you pay for, and sometimes you are surprised. A cheap or inexpensive smokeless fire pit can work just as well as a more expensive option, as long as the construction is correct. By this I mean that both walls of the fire pit must be properly welded and positioned, and that the holes that allow airflow in and out must be sufficiently large. As long as these things are done correctly, the fire pit should remove smoke well.
What may be lacking in an inexpensive fire pit that you will find in a more expensive option are the materials used. To make the product cheaper, some corners need to be cut off. Generally that will come from the build quality and materials. Thicker grade metal and/or lower quality steel can not only melt if the fire is hot enough, but can also rust and break down more quickly than a more expensive option.
Are smokeless fire pits just good for starting a fire?
Accessories like the Live-fire Pizza Oven from Breeo are great for adding more functionality to fire pits.
Very much no. In this category we find more distinction between fire pit brands and prices. Cheap fire pits generally offer only one feature: heat. Even then, you can find more ways to use a fire pit. The bigger brands have started making accessories to further utilize smokeless fire pits.
For example, Breeo offers some great accessories for outdoor cooking, such as the Outpost grill be for X-Line of smokeless fire pits and the Pizza oven with live fire which I like to use on my Breeo Luxeve Fire Pit. Solo Stove also offers cooking accessories and a pizza oven because of the smokeless fire pits, and even a popcorn maker. All of these accessories are ways to get more out of your fire pit than just ambiance and warmth.
Do smokeless fire pits give off a lot of heat?
Smokeless fire pits inherently push the heat vertically, but there is still plenty of heat. If you need more, some deflectors push the heat horizontally.
Yes, there is a lot of heat coming from these fire pits. This is due to the double combustion that takes place to burn the smoke particles. A possible disadvantage of these fire pits is that the design is generally larger and ensures that the heat is released vertically. This may cause some people around the fire to miss the warmth, especially those who are sitting.
I’m not saying all is lost. There is still a good amount of warmth felt from the fire pit. There are ways to push that heat out more horizontally than vertically. Solo stove And Breeo both provide a heat conductor that, as the heat of the fire rises, encounters a metal plate that forces the heat outward instead of upward.
What if you don’t have much space?
The TerraFlame table fire pit is perfect for adding ambiance where you need it or for roasting marshmallows.
Whether your space is limited because of your home or purely because of where you want to use the fire pit, there are options from very large to very small to meet all needs. A great choice for those who want a wood fire but are short on space is the Solo Stove Mesa. This 5.1-inch tabletop fire pit has the same features that make the larger fire pits work, but on a smaller scale. This is great if you want a real wood fire, but without having to stoke the big burner.
If you find yourself in a situation where you can’t even get a small fire like the one from the Mesa, then perhaps the TerraFlame from Solo Stove is a better option. This uses clean-burning gel fuel that is safe for indoor use, so you can enjoy a fire anywhere. It’s also perfect for S’mores.
Remember that no matter what type of smokeless fire pit you choose, you need to keep it clean so that it will not only last longer, but also do its best for you.
Frequently asked questions
Is a smokeless fire pit a good source of flames?
No, a smokeless fire pit does not produce a flame. It’s a great heat source that will keep you warm on cold nights, and the ambient heat can be used to roast some marshmallows, but you won’t be able to see a fire if you invest in a smokeless fire pit.
Will a smokeless fire pit keep me warm?
A smokeless fire pit will keep you warm – with one caveat. Much of the heat from a smokeless fire pit will rise vertically and won’t warm you too far from the patio fixture. If you want to stay warm, you’ll want to move your chair a lot closer to the smokeless fire pit than you would a regular fire pit.
