Best Fire Pit
Best Fire PitAfter much time spent by the fire, analyzing and comparing several different outdoor fire pits on the market today, we at OutsideModern have determined that the Best Fire Pits to buy are the AZ Patio Heaters GS-F-PC Propane line of Fire Pits [Amazon Link].
These units are the best available for a fire pit. They are simple, functional, and attractive. Just push the button to get the GS-F-PC started, and there is no need to chop wood. Available in four different styles and finishes, the 40,000 BTU flame is attractive, and should you choose to, you can find several different colors of fire glass to customize the fire pit to your needs.
- New and Improved Packaging to ensure safe and...
- 38 square tabletop, 28 tall. 19 inch square lid,...
- Integrated Piezo ignition; Must use fireglass of...
- Gas type: Propane, butane
- Heat output: 40,000 BTU’s. Heating area-approx....
Last update on 2024-11-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
For a complete review of these units, please see our Product Reviews section below.
Runner Up: Best Fire Pits
Our first runner-up is the Endless Summer LP Gas Firebowl [Amazon Link] with Slate Tile Mantel. It is somewhat similar in design to the AZ Patio Heaters, at a much more attractive price.
Available in only one finish, and with a burner about 75% as powerful as the AZ Patio Heaters units, these are a great choice for those looking for a propane fire bowl but don’t quite want to stretch for the AZ Patio Heaters line.
For a full review of the Endless Summer LP Gas Firebowl with Slate Tile Mantel, please see our Product Review section below.
Last update on 2024-11-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Budget Choice: Best Fire Bowl
For those who are looking for an outdoor fire pit, and are on a budget, the Landmann Savannah Garden Light Fire Pit [Amazon Link] is an excellent choice at a great price point.
This wood burning fire bowl, constructed of iron and built with an attractive grid design, is a great choice for those looking for a simple, useful fire pit. The Landmann is relatively inexpensive, but is well built and will keep guests warm, generate a cozy atmosphere, and allow for some cooking.
The Landmann Savannah Garden Light Firepit is, in our opinion, one of the best fire pits on the market today.
Last update on 2024-11-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
For more information on this unit, please take a look at our product reviews section below.
Fire Pit and Fire Bowls
Fire pits are magical, and they radically improve the ambiance on those chilly evenings. They supply more warmth than just the heat they put out. They supply more light than just the light of the flames. Fire is a primal thing, and bringing a fire element in your backyard or patio space will make the space much more dynamic. But what are the best firepits to buy? Is it best to go with wood burning or propane gas?
Both LP gas and wood burning fire pits are great, and ultimately the choice comes down to personal preference. The liquid propane gas fire pits are easier to maintain. Just change out the propane tank from time to time and you’re all set. No mess, no fuss, push the button and voila, fire.
Wood burning fireplaces require purchasing wood, cutting large logs to fit, cleaning (ugh!), maintaining paint finishes, etc. They are definitely more work, but they do offer the smell of wood, the sound of crackling embers, and a glow that’s just a bit more… alive.
Both gas and wood have their place, so we encourage you to decide what’s best for you!
Other Types of Outdoor Fire Places
If you are sure you want an outdoor fire feature but aren’t sure if you want a fire pit or some other type of fire feature, be sure to take a look at our guide to chimineas, fire pits, and bio-ethanol fireplaces.
And if you’re looking for general patio heating information, see our mega guide to how to heat your patio and outdoor area.
Here we will look at several of the best firepits, review them, and choose our top picks in order to help you decide what the best fire pit is for your needs. We’ll start with a couple of propane gas-fueled fire pits, and then move on to review three wood-burning fire pits.
Last update on 2024-11-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Gas-Powered Fire Pit Reviews
1. AZ Patio Heaters GS-F-PC Propane Fire Pit, Antique Bronze Finish
The AZ Patio Heaters GS-F-PC line of Propane Fire Pits are a great option and will look fantastic in any outdoor patio environment, with their attractive finishes (available in bronze and aluminum) and included clear fire glass.
They are simple and modern looking and doesn’t have much excessive detail on either the fire platform or on the box itself. These will blend into a backyard patio and be nondescript, but when the fire is lit, will become the focus of attention.
The Details
The AZ Patio Heaters fire pits are approximately 38″ square, and 28″ tall, with a 17″ square burning area. These units have a powerful 40,000 BTU heater, fueled by a propane tank that sits easily inside the GS-F-PC. They have a battery powered ignition that makes starting the fireplace relatively simple.
The GS-F-PC is capable of casting heat in an approximate 15′ radius, making these a great addition to many patios and garden areas. One of these will be the centerpiece of your patio area.
These units come un-assembled and do require some work to get put together. You may want to pick up some extra fire glass, as the quantity included is the bare minimum and some additional glass will certainly make things look better. You can choose from a variety of colors and styles to fully personalize your AZ Patio Heaters fire pit.
A cover for these units is strongly advised. The top of these tables can get damaged by rain, and dealing with rust can be a pain. It’s easier to cover it than to deal with repainting it once the rust starts to invade.
The Bottom Line: The Best Propane Fire Pit
The AZ Patio Heaters GS-F-PC line is a quite attractive array, and with the addition of some colored fire glass, can really be a set piece in the patio area.
The AZ Patio Heaters name is a solid name in outdoor heating and fire, and these units are well built, stylish, and capable of putting out 40,000 BTU of heat using a standard propane tank.
Additionally, they are protected under a 1-year warranty, which certainly gives some extra peace of mind. These fire pits are is excellent units, and are our pick for the best fire pits available.
As a bonus, this line is available with free shipping from Amazon.
- New and Improved Packaging to ensure safe and complete delivery
- 38 square tabletop, 28 tall. 19 inch square lid, 17 inch square burn...
- Integrated Piezo ignition; Must use fireglass of at least 3/4 inch...
- Gas type: Propane, butane
- Heat output: 40,000 BTU’s. Heating area-approx. 15 square feet
Last update on 2024-11-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
2. Endless Summer UniFlame LP Gas Outdoor Fire Bowl with Slate Tile Mantel
The BlueRhino Endless Summer Uniflame LP Gas Outdoor Fire Bowl with Slate Tile Mantel is a very cool looking, modern-designed outdoor fireplace. It has a sculptural, furniture feel, and a pleasant simplicity. The Endless Summer is made of durable steel and is covered with slate tiles that look beautiful in the glow of the fire at night.
The Details
The Endless Summer is powered by LP gas and has a 30,000 BTU burner, but cannot burn wood (but you never have to clean up the ashes!). It has an access panel with an easy ignition button and includes black fire glass for a cool glow.
If black isn’t your style, you may choose from many other colors of fire glass in order to further customize these units.
The propane tank (not included, but a standard unit) is designed to fit inside the base of the Blue Rhino UniFlame. 20 lb propane tanks easily slide in and out of the mounting brackets, so there are no bulky tanks sitting nearby and everything is self-contained.
The UniFlame LP Gas Outdoor Fire Bowl can be a bit difficult to light. To ease the ignition, be sure to let the propane run for several seconds before you turn and hold in the ignition knob until the unit is lit. It can be finicky.
The Bottom Line
The Endless Summer Fire Pit by Blue Rhino is of extremely high quality and is quite attractive. It heats with a powerful 30,000BTU burner, is highly recommended, and would be an excellent addition to any patio.
It is a great choice as long as you’re looking for an LP gas fire pit, as opposed to wood burning. The UniFlame LP Gas Fire Pit is among the top rated fire pits on Amazon and works with standard 5-gallon propane tanks.
- 30, 000 BTU stainless Steel burner
- Hidden control panel with electronic ignition
- Slate tile mantle with Steel bowl and Craftsman inspired design
- Includes Black fire glass
- Lp tank not included
Last update on 2024-11-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Wood-Burning Fire Pit Reviews
1. Fire Sense Square Fire Pit
The Fire Sense Square Fire Pit is a nice option for a modern-looking wood burning fireplace. Its squat design with matte black finish combined with shiny stainless steel legs is eye-catching.
The Details
The Fire Sense Fire Pit is a 26″ x 26″ box and is approx. 22″ high. The interior dimension is about 24″ x 24″, and the depth of the firebox are is about 6-7″ in height.
It is capable of handing a good deal of kindling and firewood and can burn wood nicely.
The spark screen is included and works well keeping the embers from flying into people’s hair. It comes un-assembled with the legs detached, but they are easily screwed into the base and you’re good to go.
This unit is quite nice, but out of the box, there are some significant problems with rust. It is extremely sensitive to water, and the default finish rusts easily when exposed to water.
If you have a fire burning down in the evening, and neglect to cover it before you head in, you may find that it is already starting to rust just from the morning dew.
Should you be interested in this design, we strongly recommend that you pick up some high-temperature Rustoleum paint and paint the unit before you use it.
We also suggest drilling a couple of holes in the bottom of the unit to allow for any water that gets in there to drain out easily.
The Bottom Line:
The Fire Sense Square Fire Pit is really a nice, modern design, and is a classic wood burning fire pit. However, unless you’re willing to do a bit more work than is usually required when buying a new product, we don’t recommend you get this one.
If you are ok with doing a little bit of DIY and painting it before use, then you’ll be fine, but many buyers will feel that the added steps should not be necessary with a new fire pit.
As a bonus, the package includes a poker, which is always a help.
- A Must Buy Item.
- Built To Last.
- Great Item To Give as A Gift.
Last update on 2024-11-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
2. UniFlame Hex Shaped Outdoor Fire Bowl with Lattice, Oil Rubbed Bronze
Blue Rhino’s UniFlame’s Endless Summer Hex Shaped Outdoor Fire Bowl is an attractive, interesting-looking firepit. It has a large fire pit-style heating area for burning logs and offers a pleasant feel and a delightful warmth on cool nights. It is easily portable but has a large fire bowl capable of putting out some serious heat.
The Details
The UniFlame is made of steel with an oil-rubbed bronze finish and has a 24″ fire bowl. The lattice design on the sides allow for the wood to remain in the unit, but for heat to escape from the sides. This makes it a much more comfortable outdoor fireplace to sit around than many of the other units.
The included spark screen covers the whole unit, including the sides. Flying embers shouldn’t be too much of a worry with this unit.
The UniFlame can only burn untreated wood and does not have any grill attachment. It can’t make burgers, but it is great for those smores! It does not have a clean-out latch, so rain and ashes must be cleaned out manually.
The UniFlame Endless Summer Hex comes un-assembled but is fairly easy to put together quickly. In order to protect your investment, you definitely want to get a cover for it in order to keep the rain out and the rust away.
If the finish starts to wear away, spray the UniFlame Hex with some Rustoleum paint, as it can easily rust in inclement weather.
The unit definitely gets hot, so if you are using it on a deck, be sure to get a concrete paver block or other separation material to ensure that the deck doesn’t get damaged from the heat.
The Bottom Line: Best Fire Pit for Heat
The Uniflame Endless Summer Hex is an attractive wood burning fire pit that comes in a relatively unique hex format. It is a little baroque looking for our tastes, but it works well as a fire bowl and is priced pretty nicely.
Some assembly is required, but the fire should be up and roaring pretty quickly, and the Hex will put out a good deal of heat.
- Wood burning for convenient heating
- 24 in. diameter bowl
- Spark guard included for safety
- Deep bowl design for large, long-lasting fires
Last update on 2024-11-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
3. Landmann Savannah Garden Light Fire Pit, Black
The Landmann Savannah Garden Light Fire Pit looks like something from out of Game of Thrones, but it’s a pretty awesome fire pit. The circular design is simple and rugged looking. It includes two large handles for easy movement when not lit, making it great for camping.
The open sides, made of woven steel lattice, function to send heat to all of those surrounding the fire pit. The open sides also offer a 360′ viewing area. Everyone can experience the glow of this fire bowl.
The Details
The Landmann Savannah Garden Light Fire Pit is 23.5″ diameter x 28″, and can handle some decent fires. The shallow body of this unit (about 11″) results in fires that last a long time and put out a good bit of heat, but generally, don’t get roaring. It can handle good sized logs, up to 2′ in length, and can easily handle the typical 15″-18″ logs seen everywhere.
The unit includes a spark screen with a pretty tight weave, so embers generally don’t escape. Also included is a handy poker for easy fire control. When the fire gets hot, you’ll need some sort of utensil to lift the spark screen.
A set of BBQ grill tongs or some other heat-resistant utensil works well.
It does not include a fire pit cooking grate, but should you want to add one, you could find one that rests on top of this unit. As is, it is great for roasting marshmallows, hot dogs, etc. See our fire pit cooking guide for more information.
Landmann recommends that you fill the Savannah Garden Light with some sand (approx 10 lbs or so). The sand helps spread heat throughout the unit in order to keep ashes from falling through the bottom and helps protect the bottom of the unit.
If you don’t want to add sand, you may want to drill a few little holes in the bottom in order get any water out and help protect the unit. There is no ash door, so you just shovel ash out, or flip the unit over to get rid of ashes.
A good cover for this unit is the Landmann USA 29300 Big Sky Fire Pit Cover, 30-Inch Diameter, and we definitely recommend getting a cover for the additional protection. Like some of the other units on this list, we strongly recommend painting the Savannah Garden Light with high heat Rustoleum paint. If these units get rusty, they are useless, so keeping the rust and water away is important.
You’ll want to use this fire pit on pavers (at least 24″ x 24″) or other heat-resistant material, as its four legs sit quite low to the ground. With the sand added it doesn’t cast a ton of heat downward, but the added protection of pavers is worth it.
The Bottom Line
The Savannah Garden Light Fire Pit by Landmann doesn’t look much like it sounds, but it is a cool looking round fire pit at a great price. This unit really is a fantastic wood burning fire pit, and we strongly recommend it.
We do suggest you paint the unit with Rustoleum paint and add some sand, but otherwise, you should be good and happy for many fires!
This fire pit is our budget choice and is a top seller among wooden fire pits.
- Black & Black Finish. Sturdy steel construction.
- Large fire bowl. Spark screen and poker.
- Decorative spark screen, ring handle and trim. High temperature...
- Four legs for stability. Handles for easy transport.
Last update on 2024-11-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Conclusion: The Best Firepit To Buy
We have looked over several of the different options available for fire pits, and all of them have their advantages. We quite like some of the wood burning products, and still feel the yearning for a crackling fire.
However, the ease of use on the LP Gas fire pits is striking, and, and with custom fire glass, they can be really interesting fire pits.
Ultimately, we feel that the AZ Patio Heaters Line of fire pits [Amazon Link] are the best choice for those looking for outdoor fire pits. These offer a great setup, an attractive frame, and a quality build. These are is the best fire pits to buy.
Happy fire building!
Last update on 2024-11-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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