Want the backyard fire pit experience without all the smoke? We tested the best smokeless fire pits for backyards, camping and tabletops.
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There’s something timeless about gathering around a fire—it soothes the soul and brings people together, no matter the season. But the traditional fire pit experience has its drawbacks, from smoky clothes to flying ashes. Enter: smokeless fire pits, a modern upgrade that makes this beloved pastime cleaner, safer and more enjoyable.
These innovative pits use advanced engineering to create a nearly smokeless burn. “They flow more air to the fire to make it hotter and increase its ability to burn off the smoke before it can escape the fire,” explains Executive Culinary Director Sarah Farmer. Once the fire gets going, the re-burning process begins, significantly reducing visible smoke.
Whether you’re after a sleek patio centerpiece, a portable camping option or a budget-friendly backyard upgrade, we tested the best smokeless fire pits to fit every style and need. Read on for our top picks.
Topping our list of smokeless fire pits, we can’t think of a more spot-on pick than the popular Solo Stove Bonfire. Boasting five sleek color options (including stainless steel), this versatile pit isn’t just smokeless, it’s ideal for toting around to all of your outdoor events, whether you’re camping, hosting a s’mores night in the backyard or heading to the beach.
Because it wouldn’t be the best smokeless fire pit without easy peasy cleanup, we’re happy to report there’s nothing to be intimidated by when setting up. “The Solo Stove Bonfire comes with four main pieces: the fire pit body, an ash pan, a base plate and a flame ring,” says Deputy Shopping Editor, Katie Bandurski. “I opted for the model that includes a stand for safe burning on (almost) any surface. To assemble, simply put the fire pit base on the stand, place the ash pan in the bottom center of the fire pit and nestle the base plate above the ash pan with the dome pointing up—that’s it!”
While you can certainly add on Solo Stove’s fire starter accessories to light it up, you can also build a fire the old-fashioned way by nestling some leaves, twigs and small wood pieces in the base and stacking large logs on top. “Watching fire in the Solo Stove is incredibly mesmerizing, thanks to the double-walled design,” says Katie. “Plus, in addition to no smoke, there were no blowing ashes or sparks. I was able to get very close to the Solo Stove without fear of being burned by rogue flyaways. The fire itself gave off an amazing amount of heat, which, on a chilly night, was much appreciated.”
Finally, this outdoor essential takes it to the next level by offering safe flames to cook over. “In true Wisconsin fashion, I couldn’t complete a Solo Stove Bonfire review without cooking a brat over the open flames,” adds Katie. “I loaded up my skewer and started turning. In just minutes, I had a beautifully blistered sausage. Marshmallows, with the help of some telescoping sticks, also toast like a dream.”
Fuel source: Wood | Weight: 25 pounds | Dimensions: 19.5 x 17.5 inches
For a smokeless fire pit that offers the best of both worlds, the Breeo X Series is our top pick. “Upon opening, I was thrilled to discover my Breeo X19 arrived fully assembled,” shares Executive Culinary Director, Sarah Farmer. “There’s nothing I had to put together, no diagrams to follow, and I didn’t have to grab any tools from the garage. (I didn’t even need to grab my husband to help!)”
Sarah adds, “The Breeo is specifically designed to flow more air to the fire, which makes it hotter. The hotter the fire, the better its ability to burn off the smoke it just produced before it can escape the fire pit (and cling directly to your clothes and hair). The key is to start small with a bundle of twigs, branches or kindling (make sure it’s all dried) and gradually build the fire by adding bigger logs. As the fire gets more intense, especially along the inner wall, the reburn (read: second combustion) starts and you’ll notice less visible smoke,” says Sarah.
Not only is the X19 model perfect for gathering around an evening fire with three to four of your closest friends, but it’s also a dream to cook traditional campfire treats and more over the flame. “Now, I’m at the point where I’m cooking steaks and potatoes right over the flames using the grill grate accessory,” adds Sarah. “I’m planning to order the sear plate griddle next to take my cooking to the next level.”
As for clean-up? “Well, even though the Breoo can burn strongly even with some ash build-up in the fire pit thanks to its unique airflow design, I personally prefer to clean it out before each new fire (Breeo recommends cleaning at least every three to four uses),” says Sarah. “It’s not difficult to scoop out the cold ashes; you just need to work around the X-shaped metal at the bottom.”
Pro tip: Sarah notes it’s essential to add on the Breeo base or get pavers, as the fire pit may crack the concrete when placed directly on it.
Fuel source: Wood | Weight: 47 pounds | Dimensions: 22.13 x 14.75 x 18.5 inches
Sleek and portable, the East Oak smokeless fire pit is easy to move around a patio or backyard. “I have the medium-sized, 21-inch fire pit, and it’s perfect for a gathering of about five to eight people,” says Shopping Editor Mary Henn. “There’s basically no assembly required with the East Oak Fire Pit, either. Simply unbox the pit, pop in the removable ashtray and insert the lip at the top of the pit. You’ll want to make sure the metal lip is flipped upward, as this helps funnel smoke and fumes upward instead of outward, keeping the fire pit smokeless.”
The real kicker? “I love that the East Oak fire pit comes with a long poker that makes it a breeze to handle the fire and remove the ashtray for cleaning,” adds Mary. “The poker hooks onto the top loop of the ashtray to lift it out of the fire pit hands-free! There’s no need to reach into the fire pit or worry about knocking it over to remove ash and debris.”
While you can cook over the East Oak fire pit as you would any other campfire, Mary explains East Oak does not have all the fire pit cooking accessories that some other leading fire pit brands have. Overall, if you’re looking for a sleek, easy-to-use and easy-to-maintain fire pit for your backyard, this is it.
Fuel source: Wood | Weight: 19.4 pounds | Dimensions: 21.26 x 21.26 x 14.95 inches
A smokeless fire pit is smart. But a smart smokeless fire pit is pure genius. BioLite’s Bluetooth-enabled FirePit+ is just that and more—and it doubles as a grill. It’s extremely lightweight, and thanks to its carrying handles and collapsible legs, it’s also easy to transport.
“Set up was incredibly easy, and I appreciate that the rechargeable battery comes partially charged for immediate use,” says product tester Nancy Snyder. “All I had to do was install the handles, download the app and pair my phone to the fire pit. (Connecting to Bluetooth is completely optional, and you can still operate the fire pit without it).”
The FirePit+ includes a fuel rack for wood or charcoal and a grill grate for hibachi-style cooking. “To test mine, I set it up in the backyard and utilized leftover firewood, some sticks and twigs I gathered from the yard and a multi-purpose lighter,” adds Nancy. “From there, I set the fan to low and watched the fire pit’s internal air jets and clean combustion technology take over to provide a fuel-efficient burning fire without the smoke.”
Nancy explains that while a few embers sparked upon initial fueling, she was impressed to find that the fire was truly smokeless. Even more impressive? Adjusting the size of the flames by changing the fan speed on her phone.
“At one point, I noticed the fire dwindling, and at the touch of a button, I was instantly able to bring the fire back to life,” says Nancy. “When it was time to put the fire out, I turned the fan off and waited as the last of the embers burned off. This was the only time that I witnessed any smoke, and I’d say that’s a fair trade-off for the hours of smokeless enjoyment that it did provide.”
Fuel source: Firewood or charcoal | Weight: 19.8 pounds | Dimensions: 27 x 13 x 15.8 inches
Want a backyard showstopper? Say hello to the Tiki fire pit. We’re smitten with its sleek look—offering a chic, black exterior and slim hairpin legs that outshine traditional stainless steel smokeless fire pits. Plus, it’s not just pretty. This fire pit is practical too.
“This fire pit feels high quality,” says Katie. “It’s nicely packaged and includes the fire pit, wood pack, cover and instructions, which made for super convenient assembly. Speaking of, assembly took less than five minutes—all you have to do is attach the stand to the body of the fire pit and secure it with the three screws. My fire pit came with a wood pack, so all you have to do is light the corners to fire it up.”
In Katie’s testing, she found the Tiki fire pit took mere seconds to light and produced a robust flame. (As with all fire pits, make sure you are several feet away from any flammable structures or surfaces). “The flame is truly smokeless—to an extent,” explains Katie. “Windy conditions can cause smoke, as can the fire when you’re first getting started. I’ve also tested the Solo Stove Bonfire, and they’re about the same in terms of lack of smoke. The medium-sized Tiki fire pit is a wonderful option for smaller backyards. I would not want this too close to my house—it’s better with plenty of clear space around it,” says Katie.
While there is no designated grate, the fire is hot enough to cook over (hello, s’mores!) and emits heat from several feet away. You can also upgrade your pit with Tiki’s griddle accessory bundle. Cleanup is simple. No need to dig down into the grates and scoop up all that dust—just pull out the included ash pan and dump.
Fuel source: Wood | Weight: 43 pounds | Dimensions: 24.75 x 24.75 x 18.75 inches
We evaluated the best smokeless fire pits based on overall experience, assembly, size and value for the price. Bonus points went to products with problem-solving features like easy cleanup and portability. We enlisted fellow Taste of Home shopping editors, along with Executive Culinary Director Sarah Farmer, to test almost every fire pit on this list. Our firsthand testing helped us discover the benefits and disadvantages of each fire pit to determine the absolute best ones, whether you’re camping or upgrading your backyard furniture.
According to Sarah, “It’s helpful to start with an understanding of what ‘smokeless’ really means when you’re talking about smokeless fire pits. It means less smoke, not zero smoke.” In our testing, we found that these pits produced some smoke while lighting the fire, but once the flames got going, the clever engineering behind the pits made them truly smokeless and more enjoyable all around.
No, we wouldn’t recommend using a smokeless fire pit indoors. This type of pit features special airflow technology to fuel more heat to the fire to keep smoke at bay, so they tend to get quite hot. Plus, the open flames are a fire hazard indoors. We recommend these for outdoor use only, and it’s important to read the safety instructions for your pit to ensure it’s enjoyed safely.
They can be more expensive than traditional fire pits and may require specific fuel types (like kiln-dried wood or pellets). Some models also get very hot to the touch.
Absolutely! Smokeless fire pits still produce a real flame, so they’re perfect for roasting marshmallows, hot dogs or making s’mores.
Smokeless fire pits use a double-wall design to improve airflow and burn off smoke before it escapes, resulting in a cleaner, nearly smoke-free experience.
Yes, like any wood-burning fire, they still produce carbon monoxide. Always use them outdoors in well-ventilated areas for safety.
A writer and editor since 2017, I’m a home-obsessed shopping editor who has produced content for various print and digital lifestyle publications, including Taste of Home, Reader’s Digest, The Family Handyman and Better Homes & Gardens. Whether it’s cleaning gadgets, furniture, decor or fire pits, I’m constantly testing the best homewares to help readers level up their space.
