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Mobile phone and smartphone accessories, Wearable devices and smart watchesAre you looking for that perfect fire pit to take camping with you? Whether you want a pit to grill food on, to keep you warm or at night, or just be a central point to gather around, a fire pit can brighten up your camp. Portability is key when it comes to choosing camping gear, but you need to ensure your fire pit is also safe.
This is why it can be difficult to choose the best fire pit for camping. Thankfully, we’ve done the research for you and picked the Portable Outdoor Fire Pit and BBQ Grill by Campfire Defender Protect Preserve Store as our favorite. It's sturdy, easy to assemble, and has plenty of room for food! We’ve also put together a 10 best list for you to consider and created a handy buying guide reviewed by an outdoor guide to help you make your choice.
My name is 박 (Pak). I am a first-generation Korean American who has worked in the outdoors for 6 years as a guide. Now I'm enjoying traveling around with my bicycle and spending time outdoors with my dog Gaara.
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
Before buying a fire pit for camping, there are a few points you should take into consideration such as size, weight, and safety features. To help you with this, we’ve put together this handy buying guide!
We don’t all camp in the same way. For some of us, camping involves driving to a campsite and setting up our tents, whereas others prefer to leave the car behind and instead trek into nature and find their own camping spot.
If you’re in the first category and prefer to drive to your campsite, portability isn’t as important. As long as you have space in your trunk and can carry it a short distance, that will be all that matters.
However, if you only take what you can carry, then portability is important. You will need a fire pit that is lightweight and can be folded down into as small a size as possible. Look for fire pits that can be broken down into smaller pieces instead of remaining as a solid structure, as these will take up less space.
How much weight you can comfortably carry differs greatly from person to person, but we don’t advise choosing anything over eight pounds if you’re looking to carry the pit over larger distances.
Many fire pits also have their own carry case, making them easier to transport. Some even have handles or hooks so they can be clipped to your backpack or carried separately instead of being carried inside of your bag, saving on space.
If you decide that you need a fire pit that is as portable as possible, then opt for ones that can be disassembled due to their space-saving properties.
When picking one of these fire pits, it’s important that it’s easy to assemble and disassemble. When you set up camp for the night or break it down in the morning, you don’t want to waste time with a complicated fire pit. You can confirm the assembly difficulty by checking customer reviews.
You should also check if the fire pit needs any equipment to be assembled. If any pit does, that doesn’t mean you should automatically refrain from buying it, but you will need to make sure you have the equipment with you.
Carrying a small screwdriver or Allen key won’t add much to your pack weight, but if you forget them, you won’t be able to use your fire pit!
If the fire pit needs a few bolts and screws for it to be assembled, then you will need to ensure they’re kept safe as you travel. Small items are so easy to lose, and you don’t want to spend time backtracking to find a missing bolt.
Technically, any fire pit can be used to cook over. Even a burning pile of twigs can be used for cooking hot dogs or marshmallows on sticks! However, if you’re looking to use your fire pit for regular cooking, we advise choosing one that comes with a grill. This will give you more cooking options and will make cooking safer.
You can also look at fire pits that don’t come with a grill but have an open design with level sides. For fire pits with this design, it will be easy to find a separate grill that's compatible with it. If cooking over the fire pit isn’t important for you, then you will have more options when it comes to designs.
We mentioned earlier that a fire pit needs to be portable, which often means that it needs to be small. However, there are other considerations when it comes to the size of the fire pit. The smallest fire pit isn’t always the best fit for you.
An important consideration is how many people will be camping and gathered around the fire pit at the same time. A fire pit can be a great central focal point when camping. People tend to gather around it, so make sure there is enough space for people to do this!
Fire pits are usually measured by how wide their diameter is, as this is a suitable measure regardless of whether the pit is circular or square. You can find very small fire pits under 10 inches wide. Smaller pits that measure under 20 inches are suitable for one to two people, even for cooking.
Pits over 20 inches, especially ones 24-inches and over, are considered more full-sized and ideal for large groups. The largest options measure over 30 inches.
Fires keep burning because they use material, such as wood or charcoal, to power them. However, flammable materials such as these are not clean and will leave debris and ash behind as they burn.
Whether you remain in the same place for multiple days or change site every day, you will need to regularly clean out the fire pit and dispose of the ash.
Some fire pits are designed so that ash doesn’t collect inside the pit and instead either falls to the floor or is collected in a tray specifically for the discarded ash. Trays are the easiest option for cleaning up ash.
However, other pits don’t have this, and the ash will simply collect in the pit and need to be removed later. With this type of pit, you will need to think about how you can remove the ash. Can it simply be safely poured out once it’s cooled down and the fire is out? Or will you need to take a small spade to remove it?
You can also get fire pits for camping that use propane gas, but these are much rarer. If you choose this style, you will need to take gas with you, which will only add unnecessary size and weight to your equipment.
Fire pits come in several different styles. Some are designed to be light and portable, whereas others are designed to be effective burners. There are some features you can look for to ensure that your fire pit burns well.
As fire pits are outdoors in the elements, you may occasionally have to battle against the wind to keep your fire roaring. Pits with raised sides or windshields will perform best in windy conditions and are worth prioritizing if you’re going to camp in areas known for being windy.
They will also prevent ash and burning materials from being blown out of the fire pit, helping to prevent the spread of fires.
You should also look for fire pits that have ventilation holes. To burn effectively, fire needs not only fuel but also needs a steady supply of oxygen. Vents and air holes along the side of your fire pit will allow oxygen to flow through.
If you're looking to cook on your portable fire pit, this item is a great choice. The fire pit can be used with or without the included grill, and the grill grates have their own separate carry bag. It's also easy to assemble as the frame folds out, and the guards and mesh simply slot into place.
There are reports of the heat shield burning through very quickly with this fire pit. However, most reviewers say it's quick to assemble and very sturdy when put together. The various components of the fire pit, from the ember mat to the grills, are all praised for doing their job well.
This fire pit has four legs that fold underneath the pit, so no assembly is required. As well as the bowl of the pit itself, you also get a carry case, fire screen lid, wood grate, and a hooked tool so you can remove the screen without using your hands and risking burns. It's designed to be used with wood pellets or chunks.
Some reviewers report that this fire pit rusts and has an ill-fitting lid. However, many note that it's easy to assemble and carry. They also say the legs are sturdy, and they can grill small amounts of food on this fire pit.
This fire pit folds down to a thickness of only one and a half inches. It takes mere seconds to unfold and set in place, and the separate grill rack can be placed on top. This pit is designed to protect the fire from the elements but has ventilation holes so that it gets enough oxygen to burn.
Some reviewers say that the legs don't fit into place securely enough for their taste. The way the pit folds and can be transported is praised, however, and many reviewers say that it can disperse a lot of heat for such a small fire pit. They also like how securely the grid sits on the pit.
This is a completely unique type of fire pit! It's simply an eight-inch wide tin filled with recycled soy wax and paper briquettes. All you need is something to light the contents, making this fire pit a quick and light option when camping. It may not be suitable for grilling food or large parties, but it is enough for one to two people.
Some reviewers are unhappy that roasting marshmallows over the fire isn't possible, and the ferocity of the fire took some other purchases by surprise. However, many reviewers say that it's easy to light and douse. They also like that it can be used multiple times until all of the fuel is consumed and doesn't leave behind any mess.
At first glance, it's easy to see that this isn't your regular fire pit. It consists of two pieces that slot together for easy assembly, and both parts have multiple holes for ventilation. The pit has handles on either side so that it's easy to carry or shake out ash that accumulates inside. It also comes with a carry bag.
There are a couple of reports of this fire pit quickly rusting. Some reviewers also note that this is designed for wood pellets, but they prefer using other materials. However, most reviewers praise this fire pit for being lightweight and easy to use. They also say it's quick to clean and easy to travel with.
No tools are required to assemble this straightforward fire pit. The entire kit consists of only three pieces: a rollable fire mesh, foldable legs, and the carry case. Once the frame has been unfolded, clip the mesh onto the top of the legs and build your fire on top.
A few reviewers report that the mesh eventually tears. There are also a few comments regarding ash falling or being blown off the fire. However, reviewers say that the frame is sturdy and easy to assemble. Many reviewers praise how light this fire pit is, saying it's very easy to travel with.
This simplistic-looking fire pit is designed to be as minimalist and efficient as possible. It is made of double-lined stainless steel and features several ventilation holes around the bottom to ensure the fire gets a constant supply of oxygen. The fire pit comes with a carry case and requires zero assembly or setup!
Some reviewers note that it still produced smoke despite being advertised as smokeless. However, many reviewers report that it burns very well, especially with dry material. The portability and lack of assembly for this fire pit were also a big hit with reviewers.
This is one of the largest options on our list, making it great for large groups. The moon and star cutouts aid ventilation while also making for a pretty visual.
This fire pit also comes with a mesh cover and poker, and the exterior rail makes it easy to pick up. It's probably too heavy to carry on a hike, but it is suitable for anyone driving to their campsite.
Some reviewers found the metal sides thin, saying they dent easily. According to most reviewers, however, it's easy to assemble and large enough for big fires! They also praise the ventilation and say it's simple to get a safe fire blazing.
This pop-up fire pit is easy to assemble. The legs fold together when not in use and are easy to open and slot into place. The fire is built on stainless steel mesh, and the raised sides will protect the fire from the wind. You get a carry bag for the fire and a one-year or 50 fires warranty from the manufacturer.
There are a few comments regarding the mesh burning and ripping, and some reviewers also report that the pit produces a lot of smoke. Many reviewers like that it's easy to assemble and sturdy, however. They also say it is easy to clean and to cook on if you have a grill.
This fire pit set sits on a stand with folding legs, so no tools are needed for assembly. The mesh cover will protect you from sparks, and the set also comes with a poker to help you control the flame. Everything fits in the included carry case, and the pit is finished with black paint to prevent rust.
A few reviewers report issues with it rusting, and some say the carrying case is delicate. However, most reviewers say that this fire pit is easy to assemble and sturdy. They also confirm it is light and convenient enough for camping.
As well as finding that perfect fire pit for your campsite, there are other products out there that will make your camping trips easier. That's why we have some more recommendations for you!
The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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