Best Backyard Fire Pit

Whether you’re spending time with friends and family or listening to the soothing sounds of nature, there’s nothing quite like sitting out in your backyard on a summer night.

But, when summer starts winding down and the nights get colder, those enjoyable evenings can be abruptly cut short. 

It doesn’t have to be this way, though. A backyard fire pit is the ideal garden accessory to keep you warm when the temperature starts to drop and gives you the opportunity to sit outdoors at night all year round. 

A fire pit also adds a touch of beauty to your garden. So, not only are they functional, but they keep everything looking stylish and act as the perfect focal point when surrounded by your chosen planting scheme. 

One problem you might face when choosing a fire pit is the sheer number of options available. Sorting through all of them can be a frustrating task, which is why we’ve done the hard work for you!

Below, you’ll find a list of the best backyard fire pits available along with a super useful buyer’s guide that will help you make the right choice the first time around.

 

KINGSO 22” Metal Fire Pit

 

The LEMY 32” Outdoor Square Fire Pit comes with various accessories that offer you multifunctionality. The first of these is a fire bowl that allows you to use it simply as a fire pit to gather around and get cozy in front of some burning logs. 

When you want to take things up a notch, you can use the included BBQ grill to transform the fire pit into a fully functioning charcoal grill! This makes it a perfect choice for smaller backyards where you might struggle to fit both a grill and a fire pit into the space. 

Other accessories include a spark screen to stop any embers from flying into the air and a fire poker for moving logs safely.

It also comes complete with a rain cover that fits over the entire fire pit and allows you to keep it safe from bad weather. You’ll even be able to leave it outdoors all winter without worrying about rain and snow damaging it. 

Of course, the rain cover isn’t enough on its own to protect the fire pit. But, thanks to its super-durable, powder-coated steel construction, it will resist rust and weather damage easily.

The decorative stone surround is the perfect finish to this fire pit and it also ensures you’re kept at a safe distance from the fire. 

Pros:

• 2-in-1 fire pit - can be used as a traditional fire pit or transformed into a charcoal grill with the included BBQ grill.

• Perfect for smaller spaces - this fire pit’s multifunctionality makes it ideal for spaces that you’d struggle to fit a fire pit and a grill into.

• Includes a spark screen and fire poker - ensures you’re safe from wayward embers and can move logs safely while the fire is burning.

• Also includes a rain cover - can be used to keep the fire pit protected from rain and snow during winter.

• Powder-coated steel construction - rust-resistant, weatherproof, and highly durable.

 

Cons:

• Shallow fire bowl - the fire bowl measures just 4.1” deep, so you may have to add logs quite frequently to keep it burning.

 

Outland Deluxe Outdoor Gas Fire Pit

If you like the idea of a backyard fire pit but you don’t want to fuss with chopping logs or using charcoal, the Outland Deluxe Outdoor Fire Pit would be an excellent choice.

As its name suggests, this fire pit is powered by propane and features a manual ignition dial for easy lighting. 

The ignition dial also allows you to adjust the intensity of the fire, giving you more control than you’d get from a traditional wood-burning fire pit.

What’s more, the gas-powered design of this fire pit means it’s incredibly easy to clean. There’s no ash to deal with and it doesn’t even emit any smoke while it’s burning. 

The high-quality stainless steel construction features a protective powder coating and enamel finish for supreme durability.

Surprisingly, however, despite its durable construction this fire pit remains lightweight enough to move easily. This makes it perfect for taking from your backyard and bringing with you on a camping trip. 

You might be thinking that a gas-powered fire pit takes away some of the romance of a wood fire.

However, this has been considered and this fire pit comes with 4.4lbs of natural lava rocks that produce a flickering effect that looks just like a traditional fire. 

You don’t have to worry about the propane tank ruining the effect either thanks to the 10’ hose and regulator that allow you to keep it stored safely out of sight. 

 

Pros:

• Propane-powered - no need to worry about chopping wood or sourcing coals.

• Chrome valve knob - makes it easy to ignite the fire and control the intensity of the flames 

• No mess - the propane-powered design means there's no ash or smoke residue

• Stainless steel construction - treated with a powder coating and enamel finish for extra durability

• Comes with 4.4lb of lava rocks - produces the flickering effect of a wood fire without any of the mess

 

Cons:

• Uses a lot of propane - if you want to keep the fire pit burning for a long period of time, you’ll need to make sure you’ve got some spare propane tanks.

 

LEMY 32” Outdoor Square Fire Pit

The LEMY 32” Outdoor Square Fire Pit comes with various accessories that offer you multifunctionality. The first of these is a fire bowl that allows you to use it simply as a fire pit to gather around and get cozy in front of some burning logs. 

When you want to take things up a notch, you can use the included BBQ grill to transform the fire pit into a fully functioning charcoal grill! This makes it a perfect choice for smaller backyards where you might struggle to fit both a grill and a fire pit into the space. 

Other accessories include a spark screen to stop any embers from flying into the air and a fire poker for moving logs safely.

It also comes complete with a rain cover that fits over the entire fire pit and allows you to keep it safe from bad weather. You’ll even be able to leave it outdoors all winter without worrying about rain and snow damaging it. 

Of course, the rain cover isn’t enough on its own to protect the fire pit. But, thanks to its super-durable, powder-coated steel construction, it will resist rust and weather damage easily.

The decorative stone surround is the perfect finish to this fire pit and it also ensures you’re kept at a safe distance from the fire. 

 

Pros:

• 2-in-1 fire pit - can be used as a traditional fire pit or transformed into a charcoal grill with the included BBQ grill 

• Perfect for smaller spaces - this fire pit’s multifunctionality makes it ideal for spaces that you’d struggle to fit a fire pit and a grill into

• Includes a spark screen and fire poker - ensures you’re safe from wayward embers and can move logs safely while the fire is burning

• Also includes a rain cover - can be used to keep the fire pit protected from rain and snow during winter

• Powder-coated steel construction - rust-resistant, weatherproof, and highly durable

 

Cons:

• Shallow fire bowl - the fire bowl measures just 4.1” deep, so you may have to add logs quite frequently to keep it burning

 

 

BALI OUTDOORS Wood Burning Fire Pit

If you like the idea of a fire pit that can also be used as a BBQ grill, but you prefer a circular design, the BALI OUTDOORS Wood Burning Fire Pit could be exactly what you need.

It features a removable grill that is suspended above the fire which can be used for cooking on. It also swivels 360-degrees, making it easy to move out of the way to prevent food from burning. 

For those nights when you simply want to gather around the fire pit without grilling, you can simply unscrew the grill and you’ll have an open, wood-burning fire. It’s also easy to start a fire using the included triangle rack which elevates the logs and provides better airflow.

There’s no need to worry about safety with this fire pit as it has a couple of features that ensure you’re able to use it as safely as possible.

The first of these is a steel ring that surrounds the four legs, which ensures the entire fire pit is held stable while it’s in use. It also comes with a  fire poker that allows you to move logs safely while they’re burning and swivel the grill. 

This fire pit is also extremely durable and is made from high-quality steel that is weatherproof and rust-resistant. It’s easy to assemble too and comes with clear instructions and all the fixtures you need to set it up.

 

Pros:

• Multifunctional - can be used as a traditional fire pit as well as a charcoal BBQ

• Adjustable swivel grill - the included BBQ grill can be moved up and down and swivels 360º, giving you more power over your cooking

• Triangle log rack - keeps the logs elevated to provide better airflow for faster lighting and consistent burning

• Safety features - features a circular steel stabilizing ring and a fire poker

• Durable - made from rust-resistant, weatherproof steel 

 

Cons:

• Doesn’t include a spark screen - you’ll need to keep a safe distance from the fire in case of flying embers.

 

Sunnydaze Outdoor Fire Pit

The first thing that stands out when you look at the Sunnydaze Outdoor Fire Pit is the unique design. Unlike most fire pits which are square or circular, this has a rectangular bowl with a triangular cover.

This allows you to burn more logs and get a greater coverage of heat, making it ideal for larger gatherings. 

The triangular protective screen has been designed with safety in mind as well as coverage.

It features a tight mesh design that stops embers and sparks from jumping out of the fire while it burns. It also features a handle at either end that makes it easy and safe to maneuver. 

Constructed from heavy-duty steel, this unique fire pit is rust-resistant and capable of withstanding the high heat of a roaring fire.

It also features a coating of high-temperature paint that provides it with extra durability and gives it a beautiful finish. There is a built-in wood grate too, which provides better airflow and keeps the fire burning consistently. 

There are several accessories included with this fire pit, too. The first of these is a removable BBQ grill that covers half of the fire bowl and can be used for cooking on.

It also comes with a fire poker for safely moving logs and a vinyl protective cover that allows you to keep the fire pit outdoors in all types of weather. 

 

Pros:

• Unique design - the rectangular-shaped bowl and triangle cover allow you to burn more wood at once and achieve better coverage.

• Protective cover - the triangle cover features a tight mesh design that stops embers from flying out of the fire.

• Built-in wood grate - provides better airflow for consistent burning.

• Highly durable - made from heavy-duty steel and finished with a high-temperature resistant paint.

• Includes several accessories - comes with a BBQ grill rack, fire poker, and protective vinyl cover.

 

Cons:

• Harder to assemble than square or circular fire pits - because of the unique design, you may find that it takes a little longer to put this fire pit together.

 

Buyer’s Guide

While you’re undoubtedly eager to get a fire pit and enjoy long evenings sitting out in your backyard, there are a few things you need to think about before you settle on your final choice. 

Below, we’ve put together a list of key points to consider when you start shopping for a fire pit. Taking a little time to do this will help you save time, money, and, ultimately, you’ll find the best backyard fire pit the first time around. 

 

Size

The first thing you need to think about is how large you need your fire pit to be. If you have a large family but your fire pit is too small, you’ll soon find yourself having to huddle together to feel the warmth!

Likewise, if you have a small backyard and your chosen fire pit is too large, you risk overheating everybody, taking up too much space, and potentially creating a fire hazard. 

For smaller gardens, we would recommend choosing a fire pit that is around 22cm in diameter. This will give you the perfect amount of heat without causing any issues. For larger gardens, we would recommend choosing a fire pit that measures 30cm and above. 

 

Fuel Type

The next thing to consider is what type of fuel you’d like your fire pit to use. You have two choices here; charcoal and wood or gas. Each comes with its own advantages and disadvantages.

Charcoal and wood is the most popular and traditional source of fuel for a fire pit. This will give you those roaring flames, crackling sounds, and flickering embers that you picture when you think of a fire pit.

However, they can be difficult to light at first, especially if you have no experience with lighting fires.

Gas-powered fire pits are incredibly easy to light simply by pushing a button. Most will also feature an adjustable dial that gives you more control over the intensity of the flames.

This is something that you won’t get with a wood-burning fire pit. However, you do lose some of the romance with a gas-powered fire pit and you won’t get that cracking sound or flickering embers. 

 

Durability

You also need to think about the durability of your fire pit. To begin with, it needs to be strong enough to withstand the high temperatures of a fire and contain it safely. It also needs to be rust-resistant and capable of withstanding the elements without getting easily damaged. 

Steel is by far the best material when it comes to durability. Any fire pit that is made from high-quality steel will be able to cope with anything a fire and the weather can throw at it without falling apart. 

 

Accessories

Finally, it’s always worth seeing what accessories your chosen fire pit comes with. This gives you extra value for money and, in some cases, allows you to operate it with added safety. 

Fire pokers, spark screens, and protective covers are all fantastic accessories to look out for. Some fire pits also come with a BBQ grill that allows you to transform them into a fully functioning outdoor grill. This offers you multifunctionality and gives you more bang for your buck!

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to have a fire pit in the backyard?

Yes, it is. However, there are some things you need to look out for to make sure your chosen fire pit is as safe as possible. First of all, make sure that it’s made from a high-quality material such as steel. It should also offer safety accessories such as a fire poker or a spark screen.