Best Portable Fire Pits

Check out our full buyers guide below!

Check out our other buyers guides for Fire Pit Rings, and more in the RV Shop.

thechambersrv.com is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Read more about our policy.

Best Selling Portable Fire Pits

Showing all 5 results

Default sorting Sort by popularity Sort by average rating Sort by latest Sort by price: low to high Sort by price: high to low

• 
  Camping

  Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 with Stand, Smokeless Fire Pit

  Check Price

  Looking for a way to add a little fun and excitement to your next camping trip or backyard BBQ? Look no further than the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 with Stand! This amazing fire pit creates a secondary burn and a beautiful flame that your family and friends will enjoy. Plus, nearly no smoke and only fine ash left over. Plus, with our new 2.0 design cleaning becomes easier than ever before. The best part is this fire pit leaves no overbearing smoke smell after.

• 
  Camping

  Heininger 5995 58,000 BTU Smokeless Outdoor Gas Fire Pit

  Check Price

  The Heininger 5995 58,000 BTU Portable Propane Smokeless Outdoor Gas Fire Pit is an ideal fire pit for camping, backyards, patios, RV’s and tailgating. With a CSA-approved design, this fire pit is safe to use during most campfire bans. The black color and round shape make it a great addition to any outdoor space. The Heininger 5995 58,000 BTU Portable Propane Smokeless Outdoor Gas Fire Pit includes pre-attached 10-ft hose to keep your standard 20-lb propane tank cylinder safely out of sight, fully adjustable regulator with chrome valve knob for varying flame height, and 4.4-lb natural lava rock set.

• 
  Camping

  Radiate Portable Campfire 3-5 Hours of Bright and Warm Burn Time

  Check Price

  The Radiate Portable Campfire is the perfect way to add some extra fun to your next adventure. With its easy-to-use design, youll be able to avoid the stress of gathering firewood or the risk of your camping stove running out of propane. Plus, the fact that it is made from recycled materials means you are helping to reduce our impact on the environment.

• 
  Camping

  UCO Flatpack Mini Portable Stainless Steel Grill and Fire Pit

  Check Price

  The UCO Flatpack Mini Portable Stainless Steel Grill and Fire Pit is perfect for those who want a little bit of extra space on their person. This grill features a silver color and a durable construction that will last you for years to come. With a stable base and a quick 30-second setup, this grill is easy to use and provides a great grilling experience. The sides of the grill serve as a wind break, so you don’t have to worry about your food getting too hot.

• 
  Camping

  Camp Chef Portable Propane Gas Fire Pit with Carry Kit

  Check Price

  The Camp Chef Compact Fire Ring is a easy-to-use, portable propane gas fire pit that is perfect for any backyard or travel destination. With a total output of 55,000 BTU/HR, this fire pit delivers a clean and smokeless flame with cozy warmth. The Camp Chef Compact Fire Ring is made from durable heavy gauge steel construction and features a carry bag, pre-attached 5-Ft hose, fully adjustable heat-control knob, and two extendable roasting sticks.

Buyers Guide For Portable Fire Pits

When spending the night in the woods or on the beach, a campfire is an absolute necessity; but, in the modern world, we must be more mindful about where and how we build our fires. Since campfires on the ground are extremely dangerous, we’ll be discussing some of the best inexpensive portable fire pits available. By keeping fires off the ground and allowing for improved air circulation, portable fire pits can save time and energy while minimizing risk.

When it comes to fire pits, though, should you opt for one that uses gas or wood? Do you want to buy a classic bowl or a portable fire pit? This guide will help you pick the best portable fire pit by answering these questions and more.

What To Consider When Choosing

Buying a camping fire pit might be a smart investment for all the camping and outdoor activities to come. In any case, picking the best one isn’t as easy as picking the first one you come across. Here are some things to think about as you limit down the features of your fire pit:

Local Restrictions

Given the inherent danger of fire, it’s wise to familiarize yourself with your city or county’s regulations regarding the usage of outdoor fire pits. Fire restrictions in the neighborhood or total bans on burning wood in city locations may be in effect, depending on where you reside. Ensure your fire pit follows local restrictions by doing some research.

Material

Cast iron and stainless steel provide for durable, long-lasting, and aesthetically versatile portable fire pits. It is recommended that homeowners who are in the market for a fire pit shop for one made of a material that harmonizes with the existing metal, stone, or wood accents in their home’s design.

You should also consider if you like more of a rustic or modern aesthetic. Choose the lightest material possible and prioritize portability over visual appeal if you plan to bring the portable fire pit with you whenever you travel.

Size

Think about the dimensions of the area where you plan to set up the portable fire pit, as well as the space you have available to store it when it’s not being used. Consider not only the fire pit’s height and total diameter, but also how easily it can be stored away. The amount of heat produced, and hence the fire pit’s usefulness for cooking, can be affected by its size. Though portable and lightweight, some fire pits sacrifice heat retention, durability, and cooking space in favor of portability.

Intended Use

Collapsible fire pits constructed of lightweight stainless steel which use wood as fuel are highly portable choices that campers and backpackers should explore. Invest in a portable fire pit that includes a grill if you want to use it mostly for cooking. Customers seeking for a backyard fire pit may not be as concerned with the weight as those wishing to transport a portable fire pit to the seaside or on a picnic.

Ease Of Use And Setup

Since you’ll be disassembling and reassemblying your fire pit frequently, it’s important that it’s quick and easy to set up each time. You may want to look for a fire pit that is either lightweight enough to transport easily or comes with a case or handle for portability. Propane fire pits are convenient since they do not necessitate manually collecting fuel like wood.

The size of the propane tanks you keep on hand, however, may be limited by the fire pit you have. When camping, you may have an easier time scavenging for wood, but lighting it can be a tedious process.

Design

A really well portable fire pit for camping will have characteristics such as dual combustion chambers to minimize smoke, built-in cooking grates, a foldable or flat packable structure to save room when packed, and a simple and quick method for setting up or lighting the fire.

Ash Clean Up

Ash is produced during the combustion process. You may be wondering, “Where does the ash go?” Is it thrown to the ground, where it creates a hazard, or does it remain in the fire pit, where it impedes combustion? The ash produced by the fire should be collected in some way, and the best portable fire pits will contain an ashtray or similar feature. By doing so, you can avoid the hassle of shoveling ash after extinguishing the fire and quickly dispose of it.

Ignition

Typically, there are three ways to light a fire pit:

• Matches
• Electronic ignition
• Button spark ignition

Extra Features

Finally, remember to think about additional features. Will you be using the fire pit for any sort of cooking? Try to find fire pits that either come with or have attachments for cooking utensils. Is there a protective covering you might use to slow the spread of embers and ash? Again, you should search for fire pits that either come with covers or allow you to buy covers separately.

Types of Portable Fire Pits

When it comes to portable fire pits, there is a range of fuel sources, including wood, charcoal, gas and ethanol. Below we’ve discussed the pros and cons of each fuel source in case you have something different in mind.

Propane

Propane fire pits are popular currently because they are efficient heat sources that produce little to no smoke or char.

An additional benefit of using a propane fire pit is the security it provides. The intensity of your fire pit’s flame can be adjusted easily. There are numerous advantages to using a propane fire pit rather than a wood-burning one.

The look of your fire pit can be altered to suit your own preferences. A gas or propane fire pit can be securely embellished with decorative elements like ceramic wood, fire glass, and more.

Wood Burning

The most traditional kind of fire pit uses wood as fuel. It produces more heat than any other fuel and burns more effectively than any other. Fire pits that use wood to generate heat are popular due to their rustic appearance, pleasant crackling noise, and subtle woodsy aroma.

The level of comfort, warmth, and lighting it provides is unparalleled. It’s worth it to get a woodfire pit. The ash from the coal can be used in future grilling or barbecue operations, or for other specific culinary purposes. Also, wood ash has some remarkable advantages.

Be sure to check with local authorities and neighbors before lighting a fire using wood, as doing so can pose health risks and violate environmental regulations. A spark screen placed over a fire pit used for burning wood can prevent sparks from flying into the air and causing injury.

Charcoal

Unlike wood burning, which can send sparks and embers flying, charcoal fires are generally safer. Therefore, charcoal is the best fuel for a portable camping fire pit when the wind is blowing. Plus, charcoal fires can be started and maintained with less effort than wood fires.

Charcoal flames are generally less smoky than wood fires, which is a plus for those enjoying a meal by the fire. However, wood can burn for hours whereas charcoal burns for only minutes. Charcoal is also considerably more messy; it leaves behind a black powder wherever it is used.

Ethanol

You can also use ethanol, or biofuel, to power your portable fire pit. This fuel, which is composed of pure alcohol, is far safer than wood or propane and produces no smoke or disagreeable odors during combustion. Ethanol fuel is more expensive than wood or propane, and it does not provide a lot of heat, so it is not great for outdoor cooking.

How We Chose Our Top Picks

After finalizing the fire pits to evaluate, we distributed them to various locations around the United States. The portable fire pits were evaluated on a 5-point scale for ease of installation, heating efficiency, mobility, aesthetic appeal, and overall value.

The first thing we had our beta testers do was take their portable fire pits out of the box and put them together. Then, to ensure portability, we had testers lug the fire pit about, store it in their cars if necessary, and transport it to a public space like a park or beach. Finally, we requested that all of the test subjects make extensive use of the fire pits for both cooking and warming purposes.

During testing, participants had access to dozens of logs for making s’mores and salmon. After the testers rated each feature on a scale from one to five, we calculated an average to determine a final score for each product.

FAQ’s

Is it worth it to invest in portable fire pits?

A portable fire pit may be the single most useful piece of equipment you bring camping. A fire pit is a smart investment if you enjoy camping but have trouble starting fires on your own or building an acceptable, organic fire pit. Of course, not every camper will feel the same way about these.

How should I use a portable fire pit properly?

In general, portable fire pits are risk-free and created with inexperienced fire starters in mind. Yet, it’s still fire, and fires are potentially harmful. Keep your immediate environment in mind. If you happen to be a resident of a dry region, take extra precautions to safeguard yourself and your property from anything that could catch fire.

Can I place my portable fire pit on grass?

A fire pit should not be set up on grass as a general rule. Flames or heat near the grass can kill it, depending on the kind of fire pit. And since grass is combustible, there’s always the danger of a fire breaking out.

Is it safe to use a propane portable fire pit to cook marshmallows?

Although propane fire pits aren’t made for it, you may still use them to toast some marshmallows or a hotdog. However, if you want to use your portable fire pit for cooking, you can find excellent options that are made specifically for grilling and cooking, which may be more convenient than using propane.

How do I maintain my portable fire pit?

It’s easy to maintain the cleanliness of your portable fire pit. Plan ahead for where you will put the ash and coals from your fire pit once it has cooled. To finish, before putting your grill away, spritz it and wipe it down. Maintaining your fire pit by cleaning it after each usage will extend its life.

Is it legal to use portable fire pits?

The use of portable fire pits is often permitted. There are exceptions to this rule, though. The use of personal camping pits is one item that may not be brought into certain parks and campgrounds. It’s possible that fire pits are restricted in some locations. Some ignitions and their sizes may be prohibited.

Final Thoughts

Although portable fire pits should be used responsibly everywhere in the United States, they are a much better option than building a fire on your own while camping, and they can be set up more quickly and with less environmental impact than even the majority of portable grills. The greatest portable fire pits have raised grills to keep the flames off the ground after usage, and the best fuel is whatever you like to use most.